Ron Smith

RON SMITH

Release Train Engineer | Sr. Scrum Master

SPC (SAFe 6.0) | AI Strategist

About Me

SPC | RTE | SAFe 6.0 | AI Strategist

Results-driven Release Train Engineer and Senior Scrum Master with 11+ years of Agile transformation experience. Currently directing a 9-team Agile Release Train at Bank of America. SPC-certified (SAFe 6.0) with expertise in PI Planning facilitation, ART coordination, and enterprise-scale Agile adoption. Early adopter of generative AI technologies with hands-on experience developing AI-powered business applications.

  • SAFe 6.0 & RTE

  • Generative AI & Prompt Engineering

  • Agile Coaching & Training

  • Jira / Confluence / JQL

  • Product Management (LPM)

  • Business Strategy

  • UI/UX & Design

  • DevOps & CI/CD

RTE & Program Mgmt

  • PI Planning Facilitation
  • ART Coordination
  • Dependency Management
  • Program Risk Management
  • Scrum of Scrums
  • Value Stream Optimization

Agile Leadership

  • Agile Transformation
  • Team Coaching & Mentoring
  • Scrum & Kanban
  • SAFe 6.0 Implementation
  • Servant Leadership
  • Continuous Improvement

Tools & Technical

  • Jira & Confluence
  • JQL & Custom Reporting
  • Kanban Boards & WIP
  • Agile Metrics & Reporting
  • Generative AI Platforms
  • LPM Practices

Recent Highlights

Mastering the Art of Leading Agile Release Trains as a New RTE
Mastering the Art of Leading Agile Release Trains as a New RTE

Expectations for a new RTE (SAFe Release Train Engineer): A brief overview of the role of ...

Read More →
The Psychology of Embracing Change: Strategies for Overcoming Resistance
The Psychology of Embracing Change: Strategies for Overcoming Resistance

Understanding the Psychology of Resistance to Change: Explore the psychological factors b...

Read More →
Mastering Agile Metrics: A Guide to Driving Efficiency and Value
Mastering Agile Metrics: A Guide to Driving Efficiency and Value

By Ron Smith SPC Agile project management is all about flexibility, efficiency, and de...

Read More →
Welcome to your new role: A Guide for New Scrum Masters in Scaled Agile Environments
Welcome to your new role: A Guide for New Scrum Masters in Scaled Agile Environments

By Ron Smith SPCThis article provides insights and guidance for new Scrum Masters enter...

Read More →
Unlocking Success: Building and Nurturing High-Performing Agile Teams
Unlocking Success: Building and Nurturing High-Performing Agile Teams

This article explores the characteristics, strategies, roles, frameworks, best practices...

Read More →
Leading Agile Teams Remotely: Insights and Strategies for Success
Leading Agile Teams Remotely: Insights and Strategies for Success

By: Ron Smith SPCThis article explores the impact of COVID-19 on Agile teams, the adapta...

Read More →

Professional Experience

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Randstad Digital (Bank of America)

Release Train Engineer / Senior Scrum Master
Feb 2024 - Present | Charlotte, NC
  • RTE Responsibilities: Directing a 9-team ART (expanding to 12 teams, 100+ members), facilitating PI Planning, and managing program-level risks.
  • PI Planning: Successfully led two Program Increment planning events; orchestrating integration of 3 new teams.
  • Metrics & Reporting: Leveraging targeted JQL to create custom dashboards for predictability tracking and value stream optimization.
  • AI Adoption: Early adopter of Microsoft Copilot, integrating AI workflows into daily operations for enhanced productivity.

Randstad Digital (Bank of America)

Senior Agile Scrum Master
Sept 2022 - Sept 2023 | Charlotte, NC
  • Agile Leadership: Led Agile initiatives for 2 offshore teams in mid-transition, partnering with senior Agile Coaches on program-level improvements.
  • Community Building: Initiated and maintained a Scrum Master Community of Practice (CoP).
  • Value Delivery: Implemented workflow optimization resulting in notable increase in value stream delivery each PI.

DCI Marketing

Digital Project Manager
Jan 2022 - July 2022 | Milwaukee, WI (Remote)
  • Strategic Planning: Led budgeting, estimation, planning, and execution for digital projects ranging from $25K to $1M+.
  • Hybrid Frameworks: Managed end-to-end project delivery including UI/UX, QA, and DevOps while promoting Agile practices.

Anderson Kent Financial Services

Scrum Master / Product Owner
Mar 2018 - Jan 2021 | Jericho, NY (Remote)
  • Agile Transformation: Scaled from one small team to 3 larger teams using Nexus framework.
  • Tool Implementation: Spearheaded introduction of Jira and internal tools for incremental value delivery.
  • Strategic PM: Orchestrated product vision and budgeting for mortgage calculators and CRM systems.

Photoclix Ltd. & Focus On Publications

Founder / Director of Operations
2013 - 2021 | Long Island, NY
  • Executive Responsibilities: Oversaw operations for photography studios and web development firm; directed marketing and business strategy.
  • Brand Building: Built new brand to top-rated service provider within 16 months; expanded publication output by 60%.
  • Agile Implementation: Led professional teams in Agile environment to manage tight production schedules.

Cyber Financial Network & Anderson Kent

Art Director / Agile Core Team Member
2003 - 2008 | Long Island, NY
  • Early XP/Scrum Adopter: Core member of a "tiger team" that piloted Extreme Programming (XP) and Agile methodologies.
  • High-Velocity Execution: Co-developed a proprietary enterprise-grade CRM system (rivaling early Salesforce) in just 5 months.
  • SDLC Innovation: Partnered in integration of UI/UX directly into the SDLC.

Certifications & Badges

  • All
  • AI
  • Business
  • SAFe
  • Scrum
  • Other

SAFe 6.0 Lean Portfolio Manager (LPM)

Scaled Agile, Inc.

SAFe 6.0 Lean Portfolio Manager (LPM)

SAFe 6.0 Product Owner/Manager (POPM)

Scaled Agile, Inc.

SAFe 6.0 Product Owner/Manager (POPM)

SAFe 6.0 Practice Consultant (SPC)

Scaled Agile, Inc.

SAFe 6.0 Practice Consultant (SPC)

SAFe 6.0 Advanced Scrum Master (SASM)

Scaled Agile, Inc.

SAFe 6.0 Advanced Scrum Master (SASM)

SAFe 6.0 Scrum Master (SSM)

Scaled Agile, Inc.

SAFe 6.0 Scrum Master (SSM)

SAFe 6.0 Agilist (SA)

Scaled Agile, Inc.

SAFe 6.0 Agilist (SA)

SAFe Training Enablements

Scaled Agile, Inc.

SAFe Training Enablements

Professional Agile Leadership (PAL I)

Scrum.org

Professional Agile Leadership (PAL I)

Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II)

Scrum.org

Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II)

Scaled Professional Scrum (SPS)

Scrum.org

Scaled Professional Scrum (SPS)

Professional Scrum Master (PSM I)

Scrum.org

Professional Scrum Master (PSM I)

Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)

Scrum.org

Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)

Professional Scrum Developer (PSD)

Scrum.org

Professional Scrum Developer (PSD)

Generative AI Overview for Project Managers

PMI

Generative AI Overview for Project Managers

Introduction to Generative AI

Google Cloud

Introduction to Generative AI

Introduction to Large Language Models

Google Cloud

Introduction to Large Language Models

Introduction to Responsible AI

Google Cloud

Introduction to Responsible AI

Google Analytics Individual Qualification

Google

Google Analytics Individual Qualification

Latest News & Projects

Feb 13, 2024 RTE Leadership

Mastering the Art of Leading Agile Release Trains as a New RTE

Expectations for a new RTE (SAFe Release Train Engineer): A brief overview of the role of a SAFe Release Train Engineer ...

Read Article
Feb 13, 2024 Change Management

The Psychology of Embracing Change: Strategies for Overcoming Resistance

Understanding the Psychology of Resistance to Change: Explore the psychological factors behind resistance to change, in...

Read Article
Jan 3, 2024 Agile Metrics

Mastering Agile Metrics: A Guide to Driving Efficiency and Value

By Ron Smith SPC Agile project management is all about flexibility, efficiency, and delivering value to customers. B...

Read Article
Jan 3, 2024 Scrum Master

Welcome to your new role: A Guide for New Scrum Masters in Scaled Agile Environments

By Ron Smith SPCThis article provides insights and guidance for new Scrum Masters entering a scaled scrum or SAFe env...

Read Article
Jan 3, 2024 Team Building

Unlocking Success: Building and Nurturing High-Performing Agile Teams

This article explores the characteristics, strategies, roles, frameworks, best practices, techniques, benefits, and ma...

Read Article
Dec 5, 2023 Remote Work

Leading Agile Teams Remotely: Insights and Strategies for Success

By: Ron Smith SPCThis article explores the impact of COVID-19 on Agile teams, the adaptation of common Agile framework...

Read Article
Dec 5, 2023 RTE Leadership

Empowering New RTEs: Navigating SAFe Agile Transitions in Large Organizations

 By Ron Smith SPCThis article discusses the role of coaching new Release Train Engineers (RTEs) in large organiza...

Read Article
Dec 3, 2023 Transformation

Driving Successful Agile Transformation: A Guide for Change Agents

 By: Ron Smith SPCThis article discusses the top 5 things to consider as an agile change agent when tasked with ...

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Dec 3, 2023 Agile Strategy

Empowering Agile Teams: Strategies for Success and Innovation

 By: Ron Smith SPCThis article explores the importance of agile leadership in empowering teams for success, incl...

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Contact

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Contact Info

Certified SAFe 6.0 SPC, RTE, LPM

© 2026 Ron Smith. All Rights Reserved.