Jeff Schmidt Starting with a crashed DOS system in 1990, Jeff Schmidt has grown through roles in software development, data warehousing, and infrastructure management. Currently serving as Vice President of Information Technology and Security at a healthcare company, he brings practical experience in balancing innovation with security requirements. Jeff Schmidt: From DOS Commands to Healthcare IT Leadership What lessons can we learn from a three-decade journey in IT? Jeff Schmidt shares his evol...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Paul Knight Currently serving as VP of Information Technology and CISO at Turntide Technologies, Paul Knight brings 25 years of experience across various IT disciplines. His unique background includes roles in defense, aerospace, and automotive manufacturing, bringing both operational and security expertise to startup environments. When Security and IT collide: The startup challenge How do you effectively manage both IT operations and security oversight in a startup environment? Paul Knight shar...
Dec 12, 2024•51 min
Butchi Pinnamaraju Butchi Pinnamaraju serves as the Director of IT Supply Chain at BridgeBio, an early-stage pharmaceutical company. With a background in mechanical engineering and industrial engineering, Butchi has held leadership roles at major organizations including Google, the United Nations, and SAP. His global experience spans India, Europe, and the United States, giving him a unique perspective on cross-cultural leadership in the tech industry. From India to Silicon Valley: Butchi Pinnam...
Dec 02, 2024•51 min
Sarfraz Shaikh Starting in marketing and communications at OneMesa, Sarfraz Shaikh transitioned to IT leadership through initiative and problem-solving. Now serving as Director of IT, he oversees technology across four distinct business units, bringing a unique blend of communication skills and technical expertise to the role. Your IT strategies silently suffocate growth, here is why. How do you manage IT across multiple business units during rapid growth? In this episode, Sarfraz Shaikh shares ...
Nov 29, 2024•47 min
Mark Ellestad Mark Ellestad serves as Director of IT and Digital Transformation at Moses Lake Industries, a chemical manufacturing company supporting the semiconductor industry. He is also co-founder of Better Tools LLC, providing consulting and coaching services. With experience as both an educator and technology leader, Mark brings unique perspectives on learning, leadership and digital transformation. Fact or fiction?: There is no digital transformation only transformers. How can manufacturin...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Gavin Megnauth With a career spanning from British Airways to his current role as CIO at MedPro Staffing, Gavin Megnauth has honed his skills in navigating complex IT landscapes. His expertise lies in leveraging technology to solve critical business challenges, particularly in healthcare staffing. Gavin’s approach emphasizes the importance of understanding both technical and business perspectives to drive innovation and growth. Gavin Megnauth Reveals the Key Skills You Need to Have to Move Up in...
Nov 06, 2024•49 min
Jacob Jones Jacob Jones serves as Vice President of Information Technology at Sellars, bringing experience from Fortune 500 companies like Foot Locker and Manpower Group. With a background spanning healthcare, manufacturing, and retail industries, Jacob brings valuable insights on leading technology teams in different organizational contexts. Jacob Jones on Leading IT Through Different Company Sizes How does IT leadership differ between Fortune 500 and mid-sized companies? In this episode, Jacob...
Oct 24, 2024•47 min
Darin Ward With a background in telecom technology and extensive experience in managing PBX systems, Darin Ward brings expertise in navigating the challenges of the industry. From discussing security awareness to highlighting the potential benefits of telecom advancements, Darin offers valuable insights into optimizing operations and leveraging modern solutions for improved efficiency. Optimizing Your Legacy Telecom with Darin Ward: Consolidating Systems, Cutting Costs, and Enabling the Business...
Oct 21, 2024•59 min
Seth Yeack on Relevancy in IT and Connecting with End Users & Future of IT How can IT professionals stay relevant in a rapidly changing tech landscape? In this episode, Seth Yeack, IT Manager at Dazpak, shares his journey from Army cabling to managing IT for a packaging company. Seth offers insights on understanding business needs, automating processes, and using AI effectively in IT. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with end users, continuous learning, and adapting to new technolo...
Oct 16, 2024•35 min
Yash Murali Yash Murali is the Chief Technology Officer at Therabody, a leading wellness technology company known for inventing percussive massage therapy devices. With experience as both a CIO and CTO, Yash has a track record of leading technology teams in private equity-backed companies, driving growth and efficiency. He brings expertise in areas like e-commerce, mobile apps, and leveraging technology to drive business value. Yash Murali on Leadership in Private Equity and Consumer Tech How ca...
Oct 10, 2024•40 min
Jon Scarpa Jon Scarpa is the Director of IT at RDAbbott, bringing years of experience in IT leadership and a focus on effective communication and user-centric design. With over 20 years of experience in IT leadership roles, Jon focuses on leveraging technology to drive business value and improve processes. He is passionate about building strong teams and mentoring IT professionals to grow their skills and careers. His approach emphasizes simplifying complex technical concepts to drive business v...
Oct 07, 2024•20 min
Jon Scarpa Jon Scarpa is the Director of IT at RDAbbott, a chemical manufacturing company operating throughout North America. With over 20 years of experience in IT leadership roles, Jon focuses on leveraging technology to drive business value and improve processes. He is passionate about building strong teams and mentoring IT professionals to grow their skills and careers. Jon Scarpa on People-First IT Leadership, Building Trust, and Driving Business Value. How can IT leaders move beyond just “...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Brian Mccarte Brian Mccarte serves as the Director of Information Technology at Cozzini bro, the nation’s largest knife sharpening rental fiirm. With a background in manufacturing and software development, Brian has led the transformation of Cozzini into a data-driven SaaS company. His expertise spans AI implementation, ERP systems, and building strong relationships between IT and business units. From Knife Sharpening to SaaS: Brian Mccarte’s Journey in Transformational IT Leadership & Gen A...
Sep 30, 2024•52 min
Thomas Dewar Thomas Dewar serves as the CIO at Acupath Laboratories. With a background in psychology and self-taught programming skills, Thomas brings a unique perspective to IT leadership. His career spans various industries, including child protective services, healthcare, and software development. Thomas’s approach emphasizes understanding business needs, user experience, and continuous improvement in IT operations. Thomas Dewar on Mistake-Proofing IT and Understanding Business Needs How can ...
Sep 26, 2024•38 min
Thomas Dewar Thomas Dewar has been working in IT since the late 1970s, starting with programming on early home computers. With a background in psychology, Thomas brings a unique perspective to IT leadership, focusing on communication, problem-solving, and understanding business needs. His experience spans various industries and roles, giving him valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in modern IT management. Thomas Dewar on IT Leadership, Building Trust, Communication, and Probl...
Sep 23, 2024•47 min
Jason Conley Jason Conley serves as the Chief Technology Officer and VP of Products and Engineering, bringing extensive experience in telecom and CX technology to his role. With a background in healthcare IT, Jason focuses on leveraging technology to improve patient engagement and operational efficiency. His expertise spans from traditional telecom systems to modern AI-driven CX solutions. From Cost Center to Strategic Enabler: Jason Conley on CX Technology and AI in Healthcare IT How can IT lea...
Sep 19, 2024•54 min
Brad Richardson Brad Richardson is a consultant, speaker, and community builder with a diverse background that includes a career as an IT director and a touring musician. He is passionate about improving mid-management practices and creating more empathetic workplaces. Brad is working on initiatives like ‘The Silent Revolution’ and ‘The Corporate Interface’ to help businesses apply innovative principles across their organizations and improve employee experiences. Brad Richardson on Empathetic IT...
Sep 12, 2024•42 min
Trevor StClair Trevor StClair serves as the Information Technology Manager at Improve Health Clinics, PLLC, overseeing technology operations across multiple locations in the eastern United States. With experience in healthcare, agriculture, telecom, and MSPs, Trevor brings a diverse background to his current role. He is passionate about effective leadership, continuous learning, and balancing technical expertise with personal interests like flying and event organization. Trevor St. Clair on IT L...
Sep 09, 2024•38 min
Eric Scheider Eric Scheider is an experienced enterprise architect with a background in healthcare IT. He has worked with major organizations like Humana and Optum, focusing on aligning business strategies with technology solutions. Eric’s career journey has taken him from developer roles to leadership positions, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in IT management. Eric Scheider on Enterprise Architecture and IT Leadership How can IT leaders effectively bridge th...
Sep 05, 2024•39 min
Yousif Asfour Yousif Asfour serves as the Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer at American University of Beirut. With a background in hardware engineering and international IT leadership, Yousif brings a unique perspective to driving IT innovation in higher education. He is co-author of the book “ From Geek to Lead: A Techie’s Guide to Leadership ” and has extensive experience in bridging cultural gaps in global IT organizations. Yousif Asfour on International IT Leadership and Innovation...
Sep 02, 2024•49 min
Seth Yeack Seth Yeack serves as the IT Manager at Dazpak, a packaging company that produces materials for major brands like Starbucks and McDonald’s. With a background in Army communications and self-taught programming skills, Seth brings a unique perspective to IT management. He emphasizes the importance of understanding business needs, automation, and continuous learning in the IT field. Seth Yeack on Relevancy in IT and Connecting with End Users & Future of IT How can IT professionals sta...
Aug 29, 2024•58 min
Sean Kelly Sean Kelly serves as the Director of Cyber GRC and Data Protection at Highmark Health, a national blended health organization headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. With a background in IT and cybersecurity, Sean brings a wealth of experience in remote team management and organizational leadership. In addition to his role at Highmark, Sean is also a reporter for the Cybersecurity Headlines podcast, part of the CISOSeries. Building Trust and Developing Talent: Insights from Sean Kelly How ca...
Aug 28, 2024•53 min
David Johnson Jr David Johnson serves as the IT Manager at OTJ Architects, an award-winning architecture firm with offices throughout the US. With a background that includes roles at Apple and experience managing small IT teams, David brings a unique perspective on training, development, and the evolving role of IT in modern businesses. His approach emphasizes the importance of communication skills and adaptability in the tech industry. David Johnson on Training, Development, and the Future of I...
Aug 26, 2024•58 min
Jakub Jedrzejczak Jakub Jedrzejczak serves as the Director of Information Technology for the Town of Leesburg, Virginia. With 27 years of experience in the IT industry, including 8 years in the private sector and 19 years in public sectors, Jakub brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative approaches to technology leadership. His background includes managing diverse IT environments, from supporting library systems to police departments and utilities. Jakub is also passionate about education and ...
Aug 22, 2024•58 min
Andy Ivey Andy Ivey serves as CIO at Carollo Engineers, where he leads a team of 47 IT professionals supporting a company of 1500 employees. With over 20 years of experience in IT, Andy brings a pragmatic and business-focused approach to technology leadership. His emphasis on providing exceptional user support, streamlining processes, and aligning IT with business goals has helped transform Corolla’s IT department into a strategic asset. Andy Ivey on Embracing IT as a Utility and Going to War fo...
Aug 21, 2024•59 min
Steven Singer Steven Singer serves as the CIO at Julius Silvert, Inc and is an adjunct professor of computer science at Rowan University. With a background in IT infrastructure and security, Steven brings a unique perspective to technology leadership. He is passionate about bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world applications in IT. Outside of work, Steven is a proud father, with a third child on the way, and volunteers as a firefighter. Steven Singer on IT Infrastructure, Sec...
Aug 19, 2024•59 min
Drew Griffin As the National Director of IT at National Parcel Logistics, Drew Griffin has overseen the company’s growth from a single warehouse to a national distribution platform. With a background in logistics and technology, Drew brings a unique perspective to IT leadership, emphasizing the importance of business alignment, continuous learning, and collaborative problem-solving. His approach to IT management combines entrepreneurial thinking with practical implementation strategies. Drew Gri...
Aug 15, 2024•55 min
Doug Van Beek With a background spanning archaeology and technology, Doug Van Beek now serves as IT Director for AFSCME Council 5 in Minnesota. His diverse experiences inform a unique perspective on work-life balance, unions in tech, and the impact of emerging technologies. Outside of work, Doug teaches pottery classes and previously participated in medieval armored combat. Doug Van Beek on IT Unions, Pottery, and Work-Life Balance Is there a way to achieve true work-life balance in IT? Doug Van...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Tom Shock Tom Shock is a seasoned IT professional with over 15 years of experience modernizing technology environments in mid-market organizations. Currently serving as the Director of IT at Shepherd Electric Supply, Tom is known for his hands-on approach, instilling a customer service-oriented IT culture. His leadership style focuses on cultivating engagement and passion within his team by providing opportunities, guidance, and autonomy. Throughout his tenure, he has driven accelerated growth, ...
Aug 12, 2024•58 min
Pete Self A former Air Force air traffic controller turned IT security expert, Pete Self brings a unique perspective to his role as VP of Information Technology Security at Nordam Group. With experience across eight companies over 25 years, Pete has developed a robust “toolbox” of skills. He emphasizes the importance of understanding business needs and balancing time, talent, and treasure in IT leadership. IT Leadership must understand the entire business, not just technology What makes a truly ...
Aug 08, 2024•47 min
