About

Ben Allen, Founder

Ben Allen has spent nearly 30 years owning and leading business technology consulting firms focused on helping businesses make better technology decisions. Today, through Allen CIO and Manufacturing ROI, he works with leadership teams at mid-market manufacturing companies to align IT, operations, and compliance to measurable business outcomes.

He has supported ERP selection for companies like Probi, a globally traded probiotics company, and rebuilt technology departments for several $200M+ private equity-backed companies including Custom Made Meals, National Fire and Safety, and Klosterman Bakery.  He has worked with over 150 businesses from a technology strategy and support standpoint.

Ben’s focus is simple: create clarity before execution.

Many technology and CMMC efforts struggle because decisions are made too early, without alignment around scope, ownership, and risk. He helps teams define a defensible path forward before selecting vendors or implementing solutions, reducing cost, rework, and uncertainty.

Whether serving as a fractional CIO or guiding CMMC strategy, Ben works alongside internal teams to ensure technology supports the business, not the other way around.

Andy McShea

Dr. Andy McShea offers over 15 years of experience in advanced manufacturing and business operations, delivering practical, cost-effective compliance solutions to keep businesses thriving without excessive government red tape.

Most recently, as a Subject Matter Expert for the $65M Distributed BioIndustrial Manufacturing Program, he supported the Office of the Principal Director of Biotechnology at the Pentagon and the Maintaining Technology Advantage Directorate that leads Government efforts to balance the promotion of critical and emerging technologies with their protection throughout the technology development lifecycle.

As part of the execution team, he supported acquisitions and Government contracts, Government Loan programs, and DPA Title 3 investments to accelerate CMMC adoption among dozens of non-traditional defense contractors, integrating cybersecurity safeguards into supply chain projects. The team leveraged various government funding mechanisms to offset implementation costs, ensuring critical technologies are protected and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) remains secure.

His manufacturing experience includes managing operations at Probi USA, a manufacturing subsidiary of the international chemical company Symrise, where he overhauled production facilities to cut costs and scale capacity under stringent cost controls and regulatory pressures, proving compliance can enhance profitability rather than drain resources. Prior to this, at a large private investment fund, he oversaw investments and turnarounds, aligning operational needs with contract demands while keeping overhead lean.

This hands-on expertise positions him to lead complex projects and programs, coordinate execution, and deliver smart strategies to cut through CMMC challenges, minimize shop floor disruptions, and keep your business focused on production.

Helmut Oehring

Helmut Oehring has extensive experience leading information technology supporting manufacturing, healthcare, global supply chain management, and marketing.  He currently delivers fractional CIO services including strategy development, readiness assessments, technology evaluations, and team development from start-ups to $500M enterprises.  His current initiatives include ERP quick-start programs, HCM selections, and cloud migrations for discrete manufacturers, food processing companies, and professional services organizations.  Helmut has experience pursuing global customers with CRM solutions, supporting LEAN manufacturing with ERP deployments, automating shop floors with AI & Industrial IoT innovations, delivering cutting edge Business Intelligence solutions, and managing IT transitions through M&A activities.

Previously, as the CIO for Ascend Clinical, Helmut established a CRM strategy leveraging Salesforce, fully automated the lab floor with Siemens technology, and delivered an innovative digital product that retained customers.  Formerly, he was Executive Vice President with Asteelflash, envisioning and implementing technology strategies to grow revenue and improve profitability.  He was responsible for the Integration and IT divisions for the company including staff with locations across North America, Europe, North Africa and Asia with headquarters in Paris, France.  Helmut was also a Vice President at CoorsTek with broad responsibilities for Business Transformation through IT, manufacturing ceramic materials, and purchasing raw materials globally from a portfolio of suppliers.  He managed three operating facilities in the US supplying ceramic materials for customers worldwide.

 

 

Helmut earned a MBA from Indiana University after spending his undergraduate years at the University of Illinois graduating with a B.S. degree in Computer Science.  After growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Helmut and his wife Vicki enjoy family-life with four children in the Denver, Colorado area.  Broncos, scuba, and skiing are household favorites.