Fred Balboni is the worldwide leader for Business Analytics and Optimization (BAO), IBM Global Business Services. Launched in April 2009, IBM's BAO consulting services draws on the company's deep expertise in vertical industries, research, mathematics and information management to help clients improve the speed and quality of business decisions while better understanding the consequences and business outcomes of those decisions.

Prior to this role, Mr. Balboni was the Worldwide Retail Industry Leader for IBM Global Business Services.

As a dual citizen of the United States and Australia, Mr. Balboni has lived in the US, the UK and Australia. His clients have included companies in the US, Europe, China,

Japan, Australia and New Zealand. While in Australia, he was IBM Vice President, Asia Pacific Retail Industry and previously led the Systems Integration business for GBS Asia/Pacific.

Mr. Balboni has over 25 years of consulting experience, 15 of them working with retail clients. In addition, Fred has led projects in banking, telecommunication, public sector, automotive and aerospace and defence industries. He has experience in leading large complex transformation programs and projects.

He has led client strategy and operations design projects. In addition, Mr. Balboni's strong suit is in the use of technology and applications. His client experience ranges from specific business process design to large programs of enterprise-wide transformation. His technology program experience includes analytics, custom development and ERP projects. He has worked in business areas such as merchandising, supply chain, e-commerce/multichannel, risk management and loyalty programs.

Mr. Balboni graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology (Cum Laude) with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. He has attended post graduate education at Oxford University.