Eric Zurlo

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The start of Awesome

I'm Eric Zurlo, a proud father of six, ultra-distance endurance runner, and tech pioneer. My journey spans from leading innovative IT firms to pushing my limits in ultra marathons, always fueled by a passion for personal growth and service to others. Whether I'm navigating the peaks of leadership or the trails of nature, I believe in pushing boundaries and inspiring those around me. This site is a glimpse into my life, driven by purpose and a relentless pursuit of bettering myself and the world around me. Let’s connect!

Here, you’ll find insights on everything from the thrill of ultra-endurance sports to the latest in tech innovation, personal development strategies, and lessons on balancing a busy family life. Think of this as a place where grit meets growth, with a sprinkle of adventure. Whether you're here for inspiration, innovation, or a bit of both, you're in the right place. Let's explore, learn, and grow together!.

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Run

Out on the Trail for a 100k Sunday Out-and-back

Another run - Sub 6- Liberty Mile Downtown Pittsburgh race

Endurance running has taught me the true meaning of perseverance. The long, solitary hours on the trail mirror the challenges we face in life—there are highs, lows, and moments when the goal seems distant. Running teaches you to embrace discomfort, to find rhythm in chaos, and to keep moving forward, one step at a time. Whether it's overcoming personal struggles or striving toward a meaningful goal, the discipline I’ve built through running has shaped my mindset. It’s not about speed; it’s about staying the course, even when the path is tough.

This mindset also fuels my approach to business. Just like running, building something meaningful takes consistency, resilience, and the ability to adapt. In business, the journey is rarely a sprint; it’s a marathon. It requires strategic pacing, pushing through setbacks, and knowing when to recharge for the long haul. Running has taught me to celebrate small wins, knowing they build momentum for greater achievements. That same determination guides how I lead projects, make decisions, and create lasting relationships—by being persistent, focused, and always ready for the next challenge.

Endurance running has also deepened my understanding of relationships. Just like running long distances requires patience and steady effort, so do the connections we build with others. Whether in friendships, family, or professional relationships, the key is consistency—showing up, supporting each other through the tough miles, and celebrating the victories together. Running has taught me the value of being present, listening to my own needs and the needs of others, and recognizing when to offer encouragement or simply share the journey side by side. It’s about growth, both individually and together, and knowing that the strongest bonds are built through shared perseverance and trust over time.

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Portfolio

Multi-Lingual ‘Follow-the-Sun’ Service Desk Solution

I designed and architected the world’s first multi-lingual, ‘Follow-the-Sun’ Service Desk Solution, providing 24/7 global IT support across multiple time zones with seamless handoffs between regions. The solution featured cloud-native architecture for scalability, multi-language support, and AI-driven automation to optimize ticket routing and resolution. By enabling continuous, efficient service delivery and fostering cross-regional collaboration, it reduced downtime, improved user satisfaction, and set a new industry benchmark for global IT service management.

Early Large Language Model - AI Support

In 2006 I created the planning, strategy and deployment of a large language model (LLM) to revolutionize global support operations for a multinational company was an innovative and impactful accomplishment, especially during the transformative period marked by Google’s introduction 12 years later of BERT in 2018.

By leveraging cutting-edge search tools and a comprehensive internal dataset, I developed an AI-driven solution tailored specifically to the company’s unique support needs. My approach centered around harnessing natural language processing to streamline and standardize access to a vast range of support documentation sourced from global regions. This created a unified knowledge base, allowing support personnel to quickly locate relevant information, no matter the region or language variations.

This just-in-time solution delivery minimized response times and drastically reduced Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR) for support cases, translating to a marked improvement in overall efficiency and operational agility. As a result, support staff could resolve issues faster, reducing customer downtime and enhancing satisfaction across diverse markets and time zones. The deployment of this large language model ultimately led to tangible improvements in customer service metrics, as support teams had immediate access to curated, actionable knowledge. The platform became an invaluable tool for support personnel, not only aiding them in day-to-day operations but also contributing to a more consistent and standardized support experience worldwide.

By driving down operational inefficiencies and empowering support teams with rapid access to solutions, this LLM-based initiative set a new benchmark for customer service excellence, laying the foundation for future innovations in global support operations.

Empowering Data Accuracy: A Game-Changer in Global Data Management

I developed a powerful data synchronization tool that revolutionized global data management by aggregating structured data from multiple sources around the world into a unified data structure. This tool allowed users to easily query and pull data from disparate systems, ensuring data consistency and integrity across the globe. With an intuitive interface, users could define and manage complex rules, conditions, and exceptions, enabling precise control over how data was synchronized and standardized.

Before this solution, data existed in silos, leading to fragmented, inconsistent information with little continuity across regions. My tool addressed these challenges by ensuring that data was accurate, up-to-date, and singular in truth. The solution improved decision-making by providing a reliable, real-time view of the data landscape, reduced errors caused by inconsistencies, and enabled organizations to operate with a higher degree of confidence in their data.

"Successfully Designing, Implementing, and Managing Tailored Solutions for Clients, Building Strong Relationships Over Many Years"

• Allegheny Health Network: A leading health care provider offering comprehensive medical services including hospitals, outpatient care, and urgent care centers.
  Allegheny Health Network

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• Highmark: A health insurance company providing medical, dental, and vision insurance services across various states.
  Highmark

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• Presbyterian Health Systems: A healthcare system delivering comprehensive medical services including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care.
  Presbyterian Health Systems

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• Thermo Fisher Scientific: A global leader in scientific instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and chemicals for life sciences and biotechnology.
  Thermo Fisher Scientific

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• Del Monte: A multinational food company known for producing fruits, vegetables, and other packaged foods.
  Del Monte

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• UPMC: A leading integrated health care provider offering hospitals, outpatient services, and health insurance.
  UPMC

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• United Concordia: A health insurance company specializing in dental plans and related services.
  United Concordia

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• Dental Plan Benefits: Offers affordable dental insurance plans to individuals and families.
  Dental Plan Benefits

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• York Hospital: A healthcare facility offering a wide range of medical services including emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care.
  York Hospital

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• Riverside Hospital: A medical center providing a range of health services including emergency care, surgery, and cancer treatment.
  Riverside Hospital

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• Tri-State Hospital Systems: A regional healthcare provider offering emergency, inpatient, and outpatient services across multiple locations.
  Tri-State Hospital Systems

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• MetLife: A global provider of insurance, employee benefits, and asset management services.
  MetLife

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• Clarica Insurance (Canada – Sun Life): A Canadian insurance company offering life and health insurance products, which is now part of Sun Life Financial.
  Clarica Insurance (Canada – Sun Life)

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• Michigan Millars Mutual Insurance Company: Provides insurance products such as auto, home, and business coverage for residents of Michigan.
  Michigan Millars Mutual Insurance Company

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• Aflac Insurance: Specializes in supplemental insurance products, including accident, health, and life insurance.
  Aflac Insurance

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• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): The federal and national law enforcement agency of Canada, responsible for policing and maintaining peace.
  Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

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• Florida Department of Highways: Manages the state's roadways, highways, and transportation infrastructure.
  Florida Department of Highways

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• Raymond James: A financial services firm offering investment banking, asset management, and wealth management services.
  Raymond James

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• Charles Schwab: A leading brokerage and banking firm offering investment products, services, and financial planning.
  Charles Schwab

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• Daytech Online (Charles Schwab): Provides online trading and financial services as part of the Charles Schwab group.
  Daytech Online (Charles Schwab)

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Contact

Send an Email to Eric

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