Erik Goltzer joins Thompson Coburn as Chief Information Officer
June 12, 2019
Thompson Coburn is pleased to announce that Erik Goltzer has joined the Firm as its new Chief Information Officer. Erik joins Thompson Coburn from Spectrum Healthcare Partners in Portland, Maine, Northern New England's largest physician-owned multi-specialty medical practice, where he previously served as Chief Information & Operations Officer.
Erik will take over from retiring CIO Phil Rightler, who has led the Firm’s Information Technology department since 1990.
As a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army and the former CIO of two large full-service law firms, Erik brings more than 25 years of dynamic operational leadership experience to his new position at Thompson Coburn. Erik will lead a department of technology professionals who ensure information security, develop advanced programs and applications, and partner with clients on unique IT initiatives.
“Erik is an innovative, solutions-driven professional who has pioneered change and created highly effective teams at each of his previous organizations,” said Thompson Coburn Chairman Tom Minogue. “Secure, effective technology policy and applications are central components of our legal services, and Erik will serve as an outstanding leader and visionary as we continue to provide technology and software capabilities to clients across the country.”
“We’re thrilled that Erik has joined Thompson Coburn and look forward to working with him on sophisticated IT strategies and processes that will empower all of our people to engage and collaborate in innovative ways,” said Chief Operating Officer Roger Flower.
As Chief Information & Operations Officer with Spectrum Healthcare Partners, Erik was responsible for central operations, privacy and security for a 200-physician network that employed hundreds and operated in 91 health care facilities across New England and supported 14 offices corporate locations. In that role, Erik introduced formal project management techniques and employed nationally recognized standards and practices across the company that reduced operational workload by hundreds of hours monthly. He also led a hybrid cloud infrastructure refresh initiative and consolidated the major functions of four merged business entities into a single corporate central services model.
Before joining Spectrum Healthcare Partners, Erik served as the CIO of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Birmingham, Alabama, and Miller Johnson in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In those positions, he built sophisticated IT teams, led risk management and worked directly with firm clients, practices and executive leadership to develop innovative technology strategies. Erik was recognized in 2012 by Computerworld Magazine for developing and deploying a SharePoint-based enterprise-content-management system that increased efficiency, reduced risk and increased revenues.
Erik started his career in the U.S. Army, where he served in several challenging positions in both combat and support units as enlisted personnel and ultimately as a commissioned Warrant Officer. As the Chief Information Management Officer for the Gulf War Declassification Project, created through an executive order by President Bill Clinton, Erik designed and managed an automated document conversion and declassification system that processed millions of Department of Defense operational records. During his 15 years of military service, Erik received the Meritorious Service Medal (1992), the Southwest Asia Service Medal (1991), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1989) and the Legion of Merit, given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements (1998).
Erik earned a B.S. and an M.S. in Information Technology from California Southern University.
“I’m honored to join Thompson Coburn and lead an award-winning IT team that has pioneered a range of proprietary software and custom applications,” said Erik. “I look forward to collaborating with the Firm’s attorneys and professional staff on new IT initiatives that support firmwide strategic goals and help clients achieve greater efficiencies within their own businesses.”