Carl Johnson is a visionary technology executive with over 25 years of experience steering enterprise-wide digital transformation, AI-driven modernization, and operational excellence across multiple industries, with a strong foundation in media and entertainment. Currently the Founder and CEO of CJ09 Consulting LLC, Carl serves as a fractional CTO/CIO, delivering strategic advisory and hands-on leadership to startups, small and mid-cap companies seeking to scale with precision and innovation. His ability to integrate emerging technologies into practical solutions has made him a trusted leader for companies ready to evolve in today’s fast-paced digital economy.
Carl’s professional journey began in the UK with a strong academic foundation, including a Master of Philosophy in Neural Networks focused on unmanned underwater vehicles and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from the University of Plymouth. His early research in machine learning and chemotaxis algorithms, presented at global conferences as early as 1991, demonstrates a long-standing passion for AI. This early academic rigor laid the groundwork for his lifelong mission to make transformative technologies accessible and impactful in the business world.
After transitioning from academia to industry, Carl joined JBA Software, where he played a key role in ERP development for airline catering, driving multimillion-dollar cost savings. This led him to Columbia Pictures and later to Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), where he rose to become Vice President of Application Development & Maintenance. At SPE, he managed a global team of over 260, leading transformative initiatives in BI, ERP, MDM, and cyberattack recovery. His leadership during the 2014 SPE cyberattack enabled the restoration of 450+ critical applications in under nine months, a testament to his operational resilience and crisis management expertise.
Carl’s accomplishments at Sony included pioneering a cross-divisional BI data lake strategy, drastically reducing time-to-market for greenlighting series by 77%. His strategic shift to offshore development significantly increased capital project capacity while reducing support overhead, exemplifying his ability to optimize both performance and cost. He also implemented a pricing application that resolved a $10M backlog and improved cash flow by $1M/month, underlining his deep understanding of financial systems and business impact.
At Fox Corporation, Carl was initially brought in to manage the technology transition following its $72.3B acquisition by Disney. As Vice President of Technology, he orchestrated system separations, streamlined procurement across divisions, and led the development of a 24/7 service desk that saved the company over $2.75M annually. Under his leadership, the IT ticket resolution time dropped to under 4 hours, and AI integration through Moveworks reduced HR labor by 300 hours per month. His work on cloud migration, digital rights management, and pandemic response solutions highlights his versatility across corporate functions.
Carl also took on a pivotal role supporting the United States Football League (USFL), leading technology operations across both backend systems and in-game technical support. His ability to deliver rapid, end-to-end infrastructure solutions for live sports further showcases his agility and leadership in high-pressure environments. Beyond corporate achievements, Carl has continued to serve as a mentor and advisor to startup founders, helping them develop scalable, compliant, and growth-oriented tech strategies.
Internationally, Carl has worked across the UK, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Greece, France, and the Netherlands, giving him a truly global perspective on technology implementation and business development. His experience spans cultures, industries, and organizational sizes, reinforcing his status as an industry-agnostic leader. He is open to working with companies ranging from funded startups to mid-cap public enterprises and is willing to travel for the right opportunity.
Carl holds certifications in Six Sigma, ITIL V3, and Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS), as well as the CIO Pathways certification, affirming his commitment to continuous improvement and leadership excellence. His approach combines strategic sourcing, architecture integration, cloud computing, and risk mitigation to help organizations modernize securely and effectively. He is frequently invited to speak at industry conferences and fireside chats, where he shares insights on AI, digital transformation, and operational innovation.
Known for his mentorship, Carl has consistently developed high-performing teams that ascend into leadership roles. His ability to build cultures centered on growth, innovation, and collaboration has earned him accolades from peers and colleagues alike. His client-first mentality and entrepreneurial mindset allow him to bridge the gap between technology and business in ways that few others can.
Carl Johnson’s personal motto, “To provide AI & Digital Transformation services available at a fraction of the cost to enable businesses to grow, be secure, be compliant and flourish in this digital world,” encapsulates his mission. Whether advising on strategy, modernizing infrastructure, or leading complex integrations, Carl remains committed to helping companies thrive through meaningful and measurable technology outcomes.
Character:
Carl Johnson is a principled and resilient leader who consistently demonstrates integrity, loyalty, and a deep sense of responsibility in every engagement. He is known for building trust with teams and stakeholders alike, fostering cultures of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Knowledge:
Carl possesses a comprehensive and evolving knowledge base in AI, ERP systems, cloud computing, and digital modernization, developed through over 25 years of leadership in complex global organizations. His expertise spans both technical and operational domains, allowing him to architect solutions that are innovative, scalable, and aligned with business needs.
Strategic:
Carl brings exceptional strategic foresight, aligning IT investments with long-term business outcomes to drive revenue, reduce risk, and streamline operations. He has a proven track record of guiding organizations through major transitions, integrations, and transformations that unlock measurable enterprise value.
Communication:
Carl is a clear, persuasive communicator who bridges the gap between executive leadership and technical teams with ease. Whether presenting to the board, mentoring staff, or leading cross-functional initiatives, his ability to translate complex ideas into actionable insights makes him a trusted advisor and leader.
