Edge of IT

In cybersecurity, the rules are always changing, but trust, readiness, and real-world resilience remain non-negotiable. In this episode of Edge of IT, host Jonathan Gough sits down with Sean Colicchio, Global CISO at Pellera Technologies, and Ryan Patrick, VP at HITRUST, for a candid conversation about the real state of cybersecurity and compliance in an AI-driven world. Together, they unpack how organizations can move beyond check-the-box compliance toward systems that are built on relevance, integrity, and threat-informed action. This episode explores what’s missing in today’s frameworks, where automation can go wrong, and how threat intelligence is shaping the future of trust.

Compliance in IT is evolving faster than ever. Regulations are tightening, data has become the prime target for attackers, and emerging technologies like AI and quantum are raising the stakes. In this episode of Edge of IT, Jonathan Gough sits down with Ian Wight, Sales Manager of Data Security at IBM, and Tim Tait, Senior Consultant of Data Protection at Pellera Technologies, to explore the shift from reactive checklists to proactive, continuous compliance. They share why observability and identity management are critical to keeping data secure, how to build compliance into systems from the start, and what the future of governance looks like in an AI- and quantum-driven world. Tune in to hear why, when done right, compliance isn’t a burden; it’s an accelerator that gives organizations the confidence to innovate, move faster, and stay secure.

What do professional drag racing and enterprise transformation have in common? Turns out, it’s more than you’d think.

In this high-energy episode of Edge of IT, host Jonathan Gough sits down with Leah Pruett, NHRA champion and driver for Tony Stewart Racing, and David Luftig, Executive Vice President at Pellara. Together, they explore the advantage of using data, analytics, and AI to compete smarter and win faster. Listen in as they break down the journey from instinct-driven tuning to precision decision-making using predictive models, dashboards, and real-time analytics. Leah shares how embracing data transformed not just her race strategy, but her entire approach to decision-making both on and off the track. David offers insights on what it means to be a true transformation partner.

Storage might not sound exciting, but in today’s AI-driven world, it’s anything but boring. With massive amounts of data piling up, one idea becomes clear: to unlock the future, you need a reliable place to store the past. So what does it take to make IT storage a true strategic enabler? In this episode of Edge of IT, host Jonathan Gough is joined by Mike Sasse, Principal Technologist at Pure Storage, and Darren Livingston, Chief Technology Strategist at Pellera. Together, they explore why storage is no longer a background necessity, but the backbone of scalability, automation, and AI. From ransomware and rising complexity to the shift toward storage-as-a-service, they unpack the challenges leaders face and the innovations reshaping the industry. Mike and Darren explain why the future of storage comes down to abstraction and automation, making storage invisible, interchangeable, and simple to consume. They share real-world insights on building private cloud experiences, measuring ROI through metrics that matter, and preparing for an AI future where data demands never stop. So if you’ve ever thought of storage as something to put on the back burner, this conversation just might change your mind.

Technology should never get in the way of human connection, and in the best cases, it actually makes it stronger. In this episode of Edge of IT, host Jonathan Gough sits down with two guests who’ve built their careers around people-first innovation. Jim McCann, Founder and Executive Chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS, and Theodora “Theo” Pajaczkowska, Advisory & Design Lead at Pellera, join forces to explore how technology from call centers to agentic AI can actually deepen human connection when done right. Together, they unpack how businesses can lead with empathy, apply human-centric principles to modern tools, and use AI to enhance human connection at scale.

Welcome back to Edge of IT. Season 2 is here. In today’s ever-evolving tech landscape, asking the right questions has never mattered more. This season, Edge of IT takes you deeper into the “why” behind the technology, connecting strategy to real-world impact. Hosted by Jonathan Gough, Chief Scientist at Pellera (formerly Converge), the conversations continue with expert tech leaders and innovation powerhouses who are redefining what’s possible. In Season 2, we unpack the big questions around cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and hybrid IT—and how these forces are reshaping not just systems, but entire industries. From autonomous agents to AI ethics, this season isn’t about catching up. It’s about getting ahead. If you're ready to stay prepared in a world that never hits pause, you’re in the right place.

Because momentum starts here, at the Edge of IT.

Transformation can feel daunting, but it’s absolutely necessary. When faced with the tides of change, how do you shift from simply adapting to truly embracing transformation as a catalyst for growth? If you're a leader IT grappling with this question, meet Greg Berard, CEO of Pellera. He joins Jonathan for a special Season Two kickoff of Edge of IT, having just led his organization through a complete evolution from Converge to Pellera. Greg opens up about navigating this incredible transformation, sharing his leadership philosophy, people-first approach, and what the movie Miracle on Ice taught him about creating a culture of change. From hosting birthday chats to uncover what his teams truly care about, to defining a brand that symbolizes momentum and client trust, Greg walks through what it takes to lead through reinvention. He explores industry-wide shifts, breaking down how AI and digital innovation are reshaping sectors. Together, he and Jonathan look ahead to what’s next for Pellera: scaling AI, driving client value, and maximizing hybrid IT’s potential. If transformation is on your radar and you’re ready for insight from someone who’s successfully navigated it, press play.

While finance might not be the first industry you associate with innovation, behind the scenes, it has been getting a serious tech upgrade. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Michael McGeein, Program Director and Product Management Leader at IBM, and Brian Simpson, Senior Director of Presales, Data & AI at Pellera, to unpack how AI is transforming financial planning and analytics. From the early days of algorithmic forecasting to today’s dynamic, real-time modeling, Michael and Brian share how AI is helping teams move beyond static spreadsheets to more agile, decision-ready tools. They dive into the real-world impact across industries like pharma and manufacturing, explore how platforms like AWS are accelerating time to value, and explain how agentic AI is helping democratize forecasting by reducing technical barriers. Most importantly, they discuss why AI in finance isn’t about replacing people, it’s about empowering them to focus on higher-value work. So if you’re wondering what AI in finance looks like in practice, or how it’s reshaping the role of the finance team, this episode may just pay dividends. 

Modern IT is at a breaking point, and that’s not a bad thing. As AI sweeps across every industry, organizations are being forced to face what they’ve been avoiding for years: legacy systems that are holding them back. In this episode of Edge of IT, host Jonathan Gough chats with Stu Miniman, Senior Director of Market Insights, Hybrid Platforms at Red Hat and Andrew Tenaglia VP, Application Modernization at Pellera. Together, they discuss the future of modern platforms, the massive cost (and payoff) of AI implementation, and why breaking free from technical debt is non-negotiable. From decoding the economics of GPUs to tackling the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset, this conversation is a reality check and a playbook for IT leaders who are ready to shift from survival mode to smart innovation. 

Imagine slicing through AI, seeing every layer, every interaction, and understanding not just what it’s doing, but why. While the world buzzes with talk about AI’s capabilities, a more critical conversation often takes a back seat: what’s actually happening behind the code? In this episode of Edge of IT, host Jonathan is joined by two experts committed to breaking into the black box of AI. Manoj Khabe, VP of Observability and FinOps at Pellera, and Arthur de Magalhaes, AI & Automation Architect at IBM, bring their unique perspectives to help decode observability. They explore real-world use cases for AI observability, how it has evolved in recent years, and where to begin if you’re unsure what’s happening in your AI systems. The conversation also covers what to ask vendors, from integrations and real-time metrics to CI/CD compatibility, showing how observability can reduce cloud costs, speed up resolution, and improve user experience. Tune in to discover why overlooking observability could leave your organization flying blind.