#220: From Admin to Youngest CIO — How Curiosity & Collaboration Built Two Public-Sector Leaders

Featuring:

Erica Early, Chief Information Officer, Washington State Office of the State Treasurer

Lisa Faison, Chief Information Officer, City of Goodyear, Arizona

Episode Highlights:

What if the fastest route to becoming a CIO wasn’t a degree or a title — but saying yes to the “one more project” everyone else avoided?

In this episode, two women reveal how curiosity and collaboration turned overtime testing gigs into executive leadership — and what it really takes to modernize 40-year systems, lead six generations of staff, and build careers that outlast every technology trend.

Timestamps

(02:00) Overtime testing that launched a CIO career

(05:00) “Don’t tell me your problems” — building trust through business empathy

(11:00) Six generations, zero left behind — protecting institutional knowledge

(16:00) From low response to 78% engagement — redefining IT as a strategic partner

(22:00) Mom & Pop to Strategic Partner — Goodyear’s IT transformation

(24:00) The 17-year-old intern reviving legacy teams

(29:00) Slowing down to speed up — the 40-year system replacement story

(31:00) Be someone people want to work with — final career advice

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Brought to you by:

SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.

Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.

Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!

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