You've Been Heard

Roman Bulkiewicz is the Chief Information Officer with HumanN. He has been working in the IT industry for over 25 years and has extensive experience building, optimizing, and directing top-flight enterprise technology operations for domestic and international companies. Roman studied Psychology at the College of DuPage and Elmhurst University, and has experience working in a variety of industries under the IT umbrella.

Listen in as Roman discusses his long history in the IT sector, the importance of being a leader over being a boss, technology advances, and why he loves being a hands-on CIO.

Today’s guest is Larry Hack, Chief Technology Officer at CPAP.com. Currently based in Cypress, Texas, Larry has been in technology for over 30 years and has worked in the manufacturing, banking, mortgage, ecommerce, logistics, and medical equipment fields. In addition to his IT career, Larry is an avid skydiver and BASE jumper. He graduated from Andrews University.

Larry discusses his 30-year career beginning in software, growing with a small company, and the benefits of machine learning in what he does. He believes it greatly increases the quality of IT work.

Bob Williams is the Senior Director of Information Technology at ElectriCom, LLC. Bob has worked in the IT sector since 1997 and finds time to volunteer his services as a MoneyWise mentor and youth baseball coach. He helps companies with operational and process efficiencies to increase value-added activities. Also, Bob has professional experience in executive management, infrastructure, operations, eCommerce product management, marketing technology, compliance, and offshore staffing. Bob has achieved a Masters’s degree in Business Administration and a BS in Computer Sciences.

Today, Bob discusses the changes he has experience in his 30-year in career IT, what his current position entails, and new technologies that he is excited about.

Brandt Swanson is the Director of IT at Compass Medical. He has amassed over 25 years of experience driving technical initiatives to meet the dynamic needs of diverse user bases. Brandt is skilled at engaging department heads, as well as senior leadership to provide technology solutions. Experienced in best practice process design that leads to technological and workflow improvements, Brandt has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts.

After reminiscing about what life was like before the internet was so accessible, we’ll get into exactly how technology has changed in the last 25 years and what we think the future of IT in healthcare is going to look like.

Phil Porcari is Director of IT Services at McCollister’s Transportation Group. Phil is a proven leader in information technology management and project management, with a history of building customer-focused teams to implement tactical plans while improving operations and processes. He leverages innovation, new technologies, and past successful experience to improve service. Furthermore, he supports the quality of operation and cost management while eliminating risk and vulnerability. He graduated with a Certification in Information Technology Project Management from Rutgers.

Phil is going to discuss what it was like growing up without the internet, how he grew into his current role, and why he loves the financial side of IT.

Dr. Erik J. Huffman is a cybersecurity researcher, cyberpsychologist, TedX speaker, and award-winning entrepreneur. Currently, he teaches as an adjunct professor at Westcliff University, while also being Director of IT at BombBomb, Founder of Handshake Leadership, and mentor at Mesa Ridge High School. He has also served as a board member for the Board on Army RDT&E, Systems Acquisition, and Logistics, been a dean of studies, and worked at Walgreens.  Dr. Huffman has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, a Master of Project Management in Information Technology, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy.

Dr. Huffman’s vast experience provides so much insight for us. We’ll discuss how scammers exploit our biological weaknesses in the digital space, why cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and why 100% security doesn’t exist.

Kiason Turner is the IT Director for the city of Weatherford, Texas. His IT career began in the year 2000, beginning as a network administrator and holding several different leadership roles over his 22-year career. Kiason obtained a degree in Computer Science: Networking and Communications from Hill College, although much of his learning has been on the job.

Kiason shares his thoughts on the unique situations that working in governmental IT entails, how to navigate budget needs for not only IT but other departments, and what is truly important in an IT leader.

Mark Schumann is the IT Director of New Ulm School District in the state of Minnesota. At his current position, Mark has over 2,000 end users. He has worked in the IT industry since 1995, starting his career in the Minnesota National Guard as a Communication Repair Specialist. From there, he progressed to IT support staff, Network Administrator, and now Director of IT. At the Southwest Minnesota State University, Mark graduated with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science.

Listen in as we discuss why so many people in IT have military backgrounds, how a school district handles a pandemic, and the best way to make end users care about IT.

Brian Kozlowicz is the Director of IT at Juice Press. He is an experienced information technology director with a demonstrated history of working in the public school district and the food/beverage industry. Additionally, he is skilled in remote support and special projects. In the IT space since 2012, Brian has progressed from Computer Technician to Director of IT through his hard work and determination.

Brian will tell us all about his about humble IT beginnings, whether or not certification actually matters in this space, and the pressures of managing a whole department by yourself when you are solely that department.

Jeff Reed is Vice President of Information Technology at The Buccini/Pollin Group. He has been in the business for almost 30 years, and has senior level desktop engineering expertise with extensive experience in managing technical projects involving multiple sites and various technologies. He graduated from Delaware Technical with an AS in Industrial Engineering and graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor’s in IT – Web Development.

Today we get to hear all about how Jeff first started his 30-year career in IT, how he navigates budgetary needs for his whole department, and how to weed out the good vendors from the bad.