On this episode of the IT Matters Podcast, our host is joined by Dana Staples, Vice President of Information Technology at ReVision Energy. Together, they discuss balancing IT initiatives and vendor relationships, the impact of AI on IT problem-solving, and engaging the new generation of IT.

Thank you to Cato Networks, this episode's sponsor. With Cato, organizations securely and optimally connect any user to any application anywhere on the globe. Its cloud-native architecture enables Cato to rapidly deploy new capabilities and maintain optimal security posture, without any effort from the IT teams. With Cato, your IT organization and your business are ready for whatever comes next.

Conversation Highlights:
00:00 A message from our sponsor at Cato Networks
[01:37] Introducing Dana Staples, VP of IT at ReVision Energy
[06:54] Navigating leadership challenges in IT
[12:17] Balancing in-house IT and vendor relationships
[20:24] Empowering teams for innovation
[28:36] Leveraging AI in IT problem solving

Notable Quotes:
“Sometimes there's some decisions that are a little further along than you'd like when IT is brought in." -Dana Staples [10:17]

“I believe really strongly that you hire people to do a role and once you hire them, you should let them do it." -Dana Staples  [20:55]

Connect with Dana Staples:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danastaples/

Explore Cato Networks’ Offerings:
https://www.catonetworks.com/

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.

Connect with Us: 
Website - https://opkalla.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/opkalla/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/opkallainc
Twitter - https://twitter.com/opkalla

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.