My Story

A journey from Michigan farmland to technology innovation leadership, driven by a commitment to service excellence and community.

Personal Roots

A heritage of Michigan farming built on generations of community connection

As a fifth-generation Michigan farmer, my roots run deep in this state's soil and communities. My grandfather moved to the Great Lansing area and established our family farm in the 1950s, and that connection to the land has shaped my perspective on sustainability, community, and the value of tradition.

Family stands at the center of everything I do. As a husband and father to three amazing kids, I'm constantly inspired by their curiosity and reminded that the work we do today shapes the Michigan they'll inherit tomorrow. These personal foundations have instilled in me a deep appreciation for community values and a strong work ethic that guides both my personal and professional life.

The rhythms of agricultural life—planning, planting, nurturing, and harvesting—have given me a natural framework for approaching complex challenges in public service and technology. There's wisdom in these cycles that applies across domains, teaching patience, resilience, and the importance of laying proper groundwork for future growth.

A pastoral scene of Liam Day's Michigan family farm, showcasing the agricultural heritage that spans five generations
14

Years in Public Service

25

Years in Enterprise IT

5 th

Generation Michigan Farmer

3

Amazing Children

Professional Journey

Building a career at the intersection of public service and technology innovation

Michigan State University

Assistant Director (2019 - Present)

I lead, mentor, and motivate multiple teams in identity and access management, solution architecture, product administration, database management, and DevOps. My focus is on enhancing service delivery through digital transformation while building a culture of excellence.

  • Maintained and developed critical services during crisis events, including COVID-19 and campus emergencies
  • Successfully migrated all critical business operational databases to Exadata Cloud at Customer
  • Reduced work backlog by 60% through process streamlining and prioritization
  • Improved employee satisfaction by fostering an environment of empowerment and trust

State of Michigan

Technology Leadership Roles (2014 - 2019)

During my tenure with the State of Michigan's Department of Technology, Management & Budget, I served in progressively responsible roles from Senior Solution Architect to Business Relationship Director, leading large technical teams and driving enterprise-level improvements.

  • Led negotiations for new licensing agreement resulting in a $10.1M annual cost reduction
  • Member of governor-awarded team for mobile application tools improving citizen safety
  • Directed a team that produced and implemented state-wide data security standards
  • Led a team of 85 IT professionals supporting critical state services

Enterprise Technology Experience

Previous Roles (2000 - 2014)

My foundation in technology leadership was built through roles at Vertafore, Allstate Insurance, and Universal Brick Systems, where I developed expertise in database administration, solution architecture, and IT department leadership.

  • Supported high-demand availability of 200+ databases for insurance-based applications
  • Selected for and completed the Allstate Emerging Leader Program as youngest participant
  • Led successful IT integration during business scale-up from small to medium-sized operations
  • Directed development of streamlined customer portal interfaces

Key Achievements

Impactful projects and initiatives that have made a difference

2025

PasswordLess

Implemented PasswordLess authentication across campus to over 800,000 accounts

2024

Exadata Cloud at Customer Migration

Successfully migrated all critical business operational databases, including large data warehouse systems, to Exadata Cloud at Customer.

2023

Critical Services Resilience

Maintained and developed critical services in response to a campus shooting event in 2023, ensuring operational continuity during crises.

2022

Unified Login Experience

Successfully implemented Campus wide Unified Login Experience migrating over 900 applications including M365 to Okta Authentication Services

2020

Security Enhancement Initiative

Spearheaded audit remediation response resulting in improved information security statewide. Developed core business patching process to enhance enterprise security.

2019

Enterprise Software Negotiation

Chief negotiator for a new technology license agreement that included a quarter billion dollars of free software while reducing yearly spend by $10.1 million.

2018

Mobile Application Innovation

Member of a governor-awarded team that rapidly developed and delivered cutting-edge mobile application tools, ensuring improved citizen and worker safety.

Credentials & Recognition

Professional development and industry acknowledgment

Michigan State University Executive Development Program

2020

Business Relationship Management Professional Certification

2018

State of Michigan Good Government Awards

3 Awards, 2015 - 2018

Allstate Emerging Leaders Program Graduate

2012

Skills & Expertise

Core competencies built through years of practice and continuous learning

Leadership

  • Strategic Planning
  • Team Building
  • Change Management
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Budget Management
  • Vendor Negotiations

Technology

  • Digital Transformation
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Database Administration
  • Solution Design
  • Cloud Migration
  • Information Security

Public Sector

  • Government Modernization
  • Public Policy
  • Civic Technology
  • Community Engagement

Core Values

The principles that guide my approach to work and community

Heritage & Innovation

Honoring Michigan's traditions while embracing technological progress to create sustainable solutions.

Service & Excellence

Committing to exceptional public service through operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Community Focus

Cultivating strong, resilient communities through technology that serves people first.

Ethical Innovation

Pursuing technological advancement while staying rooted in core values and traditions.

Continuous Improvement

Embracing the mindset that small, iterative improvements lead to transformative change.

Operational Excellence

Designing systems and processes that deliver consistent value efficiently.

People First

Putting people first—whether family, colleagues, or Michigan residents—in every decision and initiative.

Let's Connect

Whether you're interested in technology innovation, digital transformation strategies, or simply want to chat about Michigan's farming heritage, I'd love to hear from you.