Mike Reagan is confident he has the best of both worlds.
As the head of CGI’s business interests in New Jersey, he oversees a team of 250 that can offer business consulting and technical solutions to customers in a variety of sectors — but, especially large manufacturing, utilities, banking, life sciences, higher education and state and local government, from his home office in New Brunswick.
And, as part of the greater CGI global network, he has the knowledge, services and backing of more than 90,000 member-partners located in offices around the globe.
“The great thing about CGI is they give me the autonomy to run the local operation within CGI’s Management Foundation, a framework that guides how the company manages its business, ensuring consistent quality and client satisfaction across all of its operations — they trust me to make the right calls,” he said. “But, because I have the backing of 90,000 member-partners at CGI, if I don’t have the right resource here locally, I have easy access to it — whether it be somewhere else in the U.S., in Europe or anywhere around the globe.”
That includes Montreal, CGI’s global headquarters.
It was evident during the four-day Choose New Jersey-sponsored economic mission to Canada, featuring Gov. Phil Murphy, which ended Tuesday.
CGI served as one of the prime sponsors of the New Jersey delegation, hosted an event at its headquarters, where Murphy had a private meeting with Reagan; George Schindler, the CEO and president; Susan Balding, senior vice president of marketing and communications; and Sean Kennedy, director and CGI’s New Jersey account manager.
It also served as a sponsor for Murphy’s keynote address at Finance Montreal.
It was there that Dave Henderson, CGI’s global president of intelligent solutions and innovation, detailed how the company is helping its offices all over the globe help clients working to use artificial intelligence to modernize their legacy systems.
“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done,” he told an overflow crowd at the event. “What we’re seeing from an AI perspective right now is that, while the bubble is not bursting, the hype wave is starting to come down a little bit. And, I think many of you are asking the question: Where are we going to get the ROI out of these solutions?
“That is really where we’re focused as a company, the practical application of AI and generative AI into our solutions as a way to bring that automation, efficiency, the intelligence, to our products and to our clients.”
For Reagan, it’s another example of having the best of both worlds.
“I have tentacles back to the global office; my job is to be my clients’ advocate back into CGI,” he said. “I have the nimbleness I need to bring the right people and the right products and services to meet my client’s needs.”
And to serve the local community.
CGI, which was founded in 1976 by Serge Godin, has maintained its community focus while achieving global reach.
“The company believes in a client proximity model where local teams are empowered to make decisions, which enhances agility and speeds up the implementation of solutions, because the local leaders know what’s best for our clients,” he said. “Plus, he wants us involved in the community.”
It’s the reason Reagan serves on the board of Choose New Jersey — and participates in a number of other local initiatives, including the Governor’s P-Tech program, which aims to start developing the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals at the high school level.
CGI also is deeply involved with the state’s colleges, where it draws talent for internships and job opportunities.
On Tuesday in Montreal, Reagan joined Murphy in signing an academic affiliation agreement with Bob Bullard, the assistant vice president of external engagement and professional services at Rowan University.
Murphy was thrilled to be a part of the partnership.
“By creating opportunities for internships, research and workforce development, this agreement will not only support the growth of South Jersey, but also secure our position as a leader in the technology and business sectors,” he said.
Reagan said the agreement is another example of how the company’s reach is both local and global — a reach built on being in New Jersey.
“I have access to an incredible talent pipeline in New Jersey,” he said. “When my customers have needs, I know I can go to the marketplace and find the right talent for their location. Having that, plus the global backing of CGI, allow us to meet all of our client’s needs.”
