On this episode of the IT Matters Podcast, our hosts are joined by John Sotello, Chief Information Officer of Cloyes Gear and Products. Together, they discuss the changing role of CIOs, the intersection of technology and business, and the impact of cybersecurity and data on the automotive industry.

Conversation Highlights:

00:00 Introducing John Sotello, CIO of Cloyes

[05:15] The Role of a CIO in Modern IT

[08:20] John Sotello’s Unique Career Path

[15:09] Cybersecurity Insights for the Automotive Industry

[20:58] The Future of Data 

[30:52] Transforming IT from Cost Center to Revenue Driver

Notable Quotes:

• “Data is the new gold." - John Sotello [21:14]
• “It takes a lot of small wins to get to a big win. And unfortunately, it doesn't take a whole lot to lose that big win too.” - John Sotello [36:21]

Connect with John Sotello:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sotello/

Opkalla is an IT advisory firm that helps businesses navigate the vast and complex IT marketplace. At Opkalla, we work alongside IT teams to design, procure, implement and support IT solutions without an agenda or technology bias. On this channel and the IT Matters Podcast, you can expect that high level of expertise from our hosts, plus interviews with the leading experts on topics like AI, cybersecurity, industry-specific IT solutions, strategy and more.

On this episode of the IT Matters Podcast, our hosts are joined by Grant Walsh, Head of Information Technology at Flow Control Group. Together, they discuss adapting to rapid technological changes and what makes a good leader.

Thank you to Zscaler, this episode's sponsor. Zscaler, universally recognized as the leader in zero trust, employs the largest security cloud on the planet. Their cloud native Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location.

Conversation Highlights:
00:00 A message from our sponsor at Zscaler
[01:55] Introducing Grant Walsh, Head of Information Technology at Flow Control Group
[09:08] Leading IT teams in a changing landscape
[20:51] Finding a good culture fit
[31:46] Building a strong IT team
[39:49] Grant's message to CIOs

Notable Quotes:

• "You have to be able to get out of your office, get in the trenches with the folks, and be there, side by side." – Grant Walsh [32:42]
• "Be a CIO of the people. Understand your team. Be part of that team." – Grant Walsh [40:09]

Connect with Grant Walsh:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantwalsh/

Explore Zscaler's Offerings:
Website: https://www.zscaler.com/

The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.

On this episode of the IT Matters Podcast, Keith Hawkey is joined by Geoff Moore, Chief Information Officer at Valmark Financial. Together, they discuss cybersecurity best practices, navigating the complex world of managed security services, and the evolving role of AI in threat detection.

Conversation Highlights:
00:00 Introducing Geoff Moore, CIO at Valmark Financial
[02:11] Making sense of cybersecurity acronyms: MDR, XDR, and SOC
[07:22] AI's role in detecting threats and phishing attempts
[11:08] The rise of multifactor authentication
[19:39] Ransomware trends in 2024
[34:44] How generative AI may reshape learning and belief systems

Notable Quotes:

• "Whatever we're doing today is good, but we always have to keep our eyes on the horizon, and just realize we're always going to have to keep upping our security." – Geoff Moore [12:29]
• "A lot of us have probably won a lot of challenges in our lives, but part of IT is to just stay curious, keep learning, and figure out new ways to do things." – Geoff Moore [39:09]

Connect with Geoff Moore:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffreyfmoore/

The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.

On this episode of the IT Matters Podcast, Keith and Aaron are joined by Jeff Roberts, Founder & CEO at Innovation Vista. Drawing from his extensive experience as a CIO and consultant, Jeff discusses common pitfalls organizations encounter with VCIO services and shares strategies for leveraging their potential to drive greater efficiency and success.

Conversation Highlights:
00:00 Introducing Jeff Roberts, founder and CEO of Innovation Vista
[03:54] The genesis of Innovation Vista
[05:36] Common missteps with fractional CIOs
[11:06] Building trust in consulting engagements
[24:40] A client’s IT transformation success story
[28:18] Finding the right fit for each client
[40:12] Managing risk effectively in a VCIO model

Notable Quotes:

• "Change has never been faster than it is right now, and it'll never be this slow again." - Jeff Roberts [37:32]
• "You have to go beyond efficiency. You really need to empower the entire business model and transform it." - Jeff Roberts [44:33]

Connect with Jeff Roberts:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsjeff/
Innovation Vista: https://innovationvista.com/

The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.

In this episode, Keith is joined by Glenn Hasteadt, IT Director at the County of Onslow, and Jess Levin, Technology Advisor at Opkalla. Glenn dives into the importance of building relationships and fostering trust with your IT team.

Conversation Highlights:
00:00 Introducing our guest, Glenn Hasteadt
[02:48] IT teams gaining recognition
[03:27] Fostering relationships between departments
[04:51] Advice for new leaders
[11:09] Practicing culture characteristics
[24:30] The new generation of IT 
[32:01] Discussing culture change

Notable Quotes:
"Your culture of your organization is how you think Sunday night with Monday coming." Glenn Hasteadt [24:05]

"The change begins with the leader, not the other way around." Keith Hawkey [33:03]

Connect With Glenn Hasteadt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghasteadt/
Keynote Speaking: https://powerincaring.com/

The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.

In this episode of the IT Matters podcast, host Keith Hawkey delves into the complexities of change management with Meridith Fix, the former CIO of Lendlease. Meridith shares her extensive experience and unique perspectives on how organizations can successfully navigate technology changes from a human-centric approach.

Conversation Highlights:
[00:00] Introducing our guest, Meridith
[03:34] Building the foundations for a technology change
[06:32] Navigating organizational changes
[09:46] Cultivating continued learning
[15:35] Understanding communication styles
[24:59] Generative AI and change management
[27:43] Meridith's message to IT leaders

Notable Quotes:
"People resist change out of fear, out of fear and distrust because our brains are wired to keep us safe. We have this sort of natural inclination to lean towards the status quo to prioritize the present." Meridith Fix [04:58]

"One of my favorite quotes of all time is 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' I think that's what I would encourage IT leaders to be, really any leader." Meridith Fix [28:12]

Connect With Meridith Fix
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meridithfix/

The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.

In this episode, Keith is joined by Darrell Stinson, VP of IT & Security at Cohere Health, a software startup in the healthcare space. Darrell and Keith dive into a strategy for building and implementing security compliance plans for startups.

Conversation Highlights:
[00:39] Introducing our guest, Darrell Stinson
[03:37] Darrell's journey with startups
[05:51] Experimenting with open source technology
[07:13] Strategizing in a new ecosystem
[14:08] Evaluating MDR providers
[20:35] Compliance requirements to adopt
[24:23] Utilizing artificial intelligence

Notable Quotes:
"Communication helps build your credibility, helps build your buy in, and people are more inclined to support decisions that you make." Darrell Stinson [16:55]

"(Artificial Intelligence) is gonna give you an outline and then you can go and sprinkle Keith in it, you can go and sprinkle Darrell in it, and fill in the blanks with the things that are appropriate." Darrell Stinson [25:48]

Connect With Darrell Stinson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-j-stinson/

The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.

In this episode, Keith is joined by Chintan Patel, Chief Information Officer at National DCP, a supply chain management company serving the franchisees of Dunkin'. Chintan delves into the hurdles and opportunities she encounters in the logistics industry, highlighting the role of technology in overcoming these obstacles.

Conversation Highlights:
[00:41] Introducing our guest, Chintan Patel
[02:16] High level challenges in the logistics industry
[04:02] Technologies making an impact
[07:35] Discussing remote labor opportunities
[13:20] Artificial Intelligence and Operations
[23:18] Lessons learned in digital transformation
[32:06] Understanding your target audience
[35:41] Chintan's message to IT leaders

Notable Quotes:
"At the end of the day, technology is a data journey from A to B, and how efficiently you get there." Chintan Patel [19:59]

"Don't forget to sell for yourself, you've got to be your own marketing champion." Chintan Patel [36:15]

Connect With Chintan Patel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chintan-patel-atlanta/

The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.

In this episode, Keith and special guest Jesse are joined by Anthony Kent,
VP of Information Technology at Four County EMC, an electric membership cooperative in North Carolina. Anthony shares insights into the technological advancements and challenges faced by electric cooperatives, particularly focusing on the integration of new technologies and AI into their operations.

Conversation Highlights:
[00:17] Introducing our guests, Anthony Kent and Jesse Erickson
[01:17] How Jesse and Anthony met
[02:46] Anthony's career journey and background
[06:32] Explaining what an electric co-op is
[09:18] Technologies impacting Anthony's role
[15:27] AI in the EMC industry
[19:30] Anthony's integration challenges
[24:51] Learning from failures in his role
[29:13] Innovations in the OT space
[33:41] Anthony's message to IT leaders

Notable Quotes:
"You need to have some buffers in place to help protect yourself, your data, and your organization, but AI is here to stay. And it's going to be a bigger part of the future going forward." Anthony Kent [12:23]

"Just keep moving along. We're all human. We all make mistakes. All we can do is just try to be better." Anthony Kent [34:53]

Connect With Anthony Kent
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-k-b3ab0b5/
Off the Wire: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hTvTSA935imZPY41wXS39?si=0c7eb684d6754b51

The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.

William MacMillan serves as the Chief Product Officer at Red Cell Partners, an incubation firm building rapidly-scalable technology-led companies. After nearly two decades of military service, he transitioned into the role of Chief Information Security Officer at the CIA, safeguarding our nation against cyber threats. In this episode, we discuss the process of implementing Zero Trust Architecture in your organization and its importance.

Conversation Highlights:
[00:23] Introducing our guest, William MacMillan
[01:26] MacMillan's experience in the service
[04:02] Transitioning to the CIA
[06:14] CIA in the film industry
[11:38] Origins of Zero Trust Architecture
[18:09] Zero Trust Strategy in the CIA
[26:19] The impacts of Generative AI
[29:00] Introducing Red Cell Partners
[34:45] Advice to young people interested in cyber

Notable Quotes:
"We're starting to see Gen AI harnessed in ways that are going to help the overworked and overwhelmed cyber defenders that need to operate a lot more efficiently." William MacMillan [28:05]

"I can't emphasize enough, I don't know why people wouldn't want to work in cybersecurity. It's where the action is." William MacMillan [35:27]

Resources Mentioned:
Spycraft Entertainment: https://spycraftentertainment.com/
Jerry O'Shea
John Sipher
Kari Amelung
Phil Reilly

Connect With William MacMillan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-macmillan-b835714/

The IT Matters Podcast is about IT matters and matters pertaining to IT. It is produced by Opkalla, a technology advisory firm that helps their clients navigate the confusion in the technology marketplace and choose the solution that is right for their business.