Technology Executive, Former CIO, and Founding Partner at Lumerai Advisors
Rob Purks is a Founder & Operating Partner of Lumerai Advisors and a Global Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology & Information Officer (CTIO), and enterprise transformation executive with more than 30 years of experience leading large-scale technology modernization, AI-enabled transformation, operating model redesign, and value creation initiatives across telecommunications, retail, manufacturing, energy, financial services, and private equity-backed enterprises.
Throughout his career, Rob has been entrusted with some of the most complex transformation challenges facing large organizations. He has led multi-hundred-million-dollar technology portfolios, enterprise modernization programs, M&A integrations, OSS/BSS transformations, ERP initiatives, cloud adoption strategies, and enterprise operating model redesign efforts across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.
Rob is recognized for helping executive teams navigate the intersection of technology, operations, and business value creation. His leadership combines deep technical expertise with pragmatic business judgment, enabling organizations to modernize critical capabilities while maintaining operational stability, customer experience, and regulatory compliance.
Today, through Lumerai Advisors, Rob advises private equity firms, boards, CEOs, CIOs, and executive leadership teams on AI strategy, enterprise transformation, technology operating models, modernization roadmaps, and technology-driven value creation initiatives.
Executive Leadership Experience
Rob has served in senior CIO, CTIO, and enterprise technology leadership positions for global telecommunications operators, technology companies, and complex enterprise organizations.
His leadership experience includes executive roles with:
• Global Telemedia International
•Nextel Chile
•Iusacell(now AT&T Mexico)
•Rimini Street
•Ericsson
•IBM
•Accenture
Across these organizations, Rob has been responsible for enterprise IT strategy, technology operations, OSS/BSS modernization, digital transformation, cybersecurity, cloud strategy, customer platforms, network systems, and large-scale technology organizations operating in highly regulated and competitive markets.
His experience spans wireless, wireline, converged communications, enterprise software, managed services, consulting, and technology-enabled business transformation.
Private Equity, Transformation, and Value Creation
Rob works extensively with executive teams and investors seeking to improve operational performance, accelerate transformation outcomes, and maximize technology-enabled value creation.
His experience includes:
•Technology due diligence
•Post-acquisition integration
•Enterprise modernization
•ERP transformation
•Technology cost optimization
•AI strategy and adoption
•Operating model redesign
•Shared services transformation
•Technology organization restructuring
•Transformation governance
•Vendor strategy and commercial optimization
Rob is particularly focused on helping organizations avoid transformation programs that become rigid, over-engineered, or disconnected from evolving business realities. His advisory approach emphasizes adaptability, execution discipline, and measurable business outcomes.
Telecommunications and Enterprise Technology Expertise
Rob’s career began at the intersection of network, IT, and operations, where he helped lead major wireless expansion initiatives, 3G deployments, OSS/BSS modernization programs, and enterprise transformation efforts.
Over the course of his career he has led initiatives involving:
•OSS/BSS transformation
•CRM and customer experience platforms
•Network modernization
•Enterprise architecture
•Cloud migration and hybrid cloud strategy
•API-led integration
•Data and analytics platforms
•Cybersecurity and risk management
•Contact center transformation
•ERP modernization
•Supply chain technology
•Retail technology platforms
He is frequently brought into high-risk or underperforming programs to restore governance, improve execution certainty, and realign technology investments with business objectives.
Consulting and Advisory Leadership
Rob previously served as a Partner at Accenture and held senior leadership positions with IBM and Ericsson.
At Accenture, he led large-scale transformation programs for Tier 1 communications providers and global enterprises, integrating strategy, architecture, operating model design, and delivery oversight.
At IBM, he helped organizations modernize enterprise technology environments through hybrid cloud, application modernization, and operating model transformation initiatives.
At Ericsson, he worked at the convergence of network and IT, helping service providers modernize OSS/BSS environments, managed services operations, and digital customer experiences while maintaining service continuity and operational resilience.
Throughout his consulting career, Rob has advised boards, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CIOs, and private equity sponsors on technology strategy, transformation governance, capital allocation, risk management, and large-scale modernization initiatives.
Current Areas of Focus
Today, Rob’s work focuses on helping organizations navigate a rapidly changing technology landscape shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, cloud computing, and evolving business models.
Areas of focus include:
•AI Strategy and Adoption
•Enterprise Transformation
•CIO Advisory Services
•Private Equity Value Creation
•Technology Due Diligence
•Operating Model Modernization
•ERP Transformation
•OSS/BSS Modernization
•Technology Cost Optimization
•M&A Integration
•Composable Enterprise Architecture
•Transformation Governance
Insights and Thought Leadership
Rob regularly publishes perspectives on AI, enterprise transformation, technology strategy, operating model design, and technology-enabled value creation.
His writing focuses on helping business and technology leaders navigate emerging challenges associated with AI adoption, enterprise modernization, technology debt, operating model evolution, and large-scale transformation execution.
Rob Purks CIO & Management Consultant 