You've Been Heard

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.

How can IT leaders create more reliable systems and align technology with business needs? In this episode, Thomas Dewar, CIO at Acupath Laboratories, shares insights on applying the concept of poka-yoke (mistake-proofing) to IT, understanding business processes, and creating user-friendly solutions. Thomas discusses his journey from psychology major to IT leader and offers practical advice for improving IT operations and communication with business stakeholders.

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.

How can IT leaders improve communication, build trust, and solve business problems? In this episode, Thomas    Dewar shares insights from his long career in IT, starting with his early days of programming in the 1970s. Thomas    discusses the importance of understanding business needs, communicating effectively with executives, and applying concepts like “Love It or List It” to IT decision-making. He also explores the psychological aspects of IT work and offers advice on building trust in a skeptical environment.

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.

How can IT leaders leverage CX technology and AI to improve patient engagement and operational efficiency in healthcare? In this episode, Jason Conley, Chief Technology Officer and VP of Products and Engineering, shares insights on aligning business objectives across departments, the strategic value of IT, and practical applications of AI in contact centers. Jason discusses how modern CX solutions can reduce friction in patient interactions, improve appointment scheduling, and drive better health outcomes.

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

How can IT leaders create more empathetic and effective workplaces? In this episode, Brad Richardson- consultant, speaker, and community builder with a diverse background that includes a career as an IT director and a touring musician- shares his unique perspective on leadership that emphasizes empathy, transparency, and employee development. Brad discusses his “Silent Revolution” initiative to improve mid-management, the importance of advocating for technical needs, and how his experiences as a touring musician have shaped his approach to IT leadership.

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.

How can IT leaders effectively manage teams and drive innovation in healthcare settings? In this episode, Trevor St. Clair, IT Manager at Improve Health Clinics, shares his journey through various IT roles and industries. Trevor offers insights on leadership, the challenges of working in MSPs, and the importance of trust and empathy in managing tech teams. He also discusses his unique experiences as a pilot and event organizer, highlighting the diverse skills IT leaders bring to their roles.

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.

How can IT leaders effectively bridge the gap between business strategy and technology implementation? In this episode, Eric Scheider, an experienced enterprise architect, shares insights from his career in healthcare IT. Eric discusses the role of enterprise architecture in aligning business goals with technology solutions, the challenges of managing offshore teams, and offers advice for aspiring IT leaders.

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.

How can IT leaders navigate cultural differences and drive innovation in global organizations? In this episode, Yousif Asfour, Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer at American University of Beirut, shares his journey from hardware engineering to international IT leadership. Yousif offers insights on cross-cultural communication, the importance of relationships in leadership, and strategies for driving technological transformation in higher education.

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.

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 technologies to drive business value.

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.

How can IT leaders effectively manage remote teams and foster career growth? In this episode, Sean Kelly, Director of Cyber GRC and Data Protection at Highmark Health, shares his insights on remote leadership, building trust with team members, and supporting professional development. From his experiences transitioning to remote work during the pandemic to his views on organizational culture, Sean offers practical advice for both aspiring and seasoned IT leaders.

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.

How can IT leaders balance technical skills with human-centric approaches? In this episode, David Johnson, IT Manager at OTJ Architects, shares his insights on training and development in IT, the importance of communication skills, and his views on hybrid work. From his experiences at Apple to managing a small IT team, David offers practical advice on creating value, justifying IT budgets, and preparing for the future of technology in the workplace.