CentralOhioCIO

?? Celebrating Excellence: The 2025 OhioCIO #ORBIE Awards Finalists?? Honored to announce the finalists for the 2??0??2??5?? OhioCIO ORBIE Awards! As part of the Inspire Leadership Network, the ORBIE Awards have been recognizing outstanding leaders since 1998.?? The technology leadership across Ohio is truly unmatched, and this year’s #OhioCIO ORBIE Award finalists are shining examples of excellence in action. From Cleveland to Columbus to Cincinnati, these leaders are at the forefront of driving innovation, transformation, and growth within their organizations.?? The ORBIE Awards celebrate visionary IT leaders who are making a remarkable impact, and we are proud to highlight the finalists who are shaping the future of technology. Their achievements are a testament to the strength and ingenuity of Ohio’s tech community. ?? We are also excited to announce that in 2025, the Ohio ORBIE Awards will introduce a category exclusively for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)—further recognizing the crucial role of cybersecurity leaders. ?? The caliber of leadership from these finalists sets the bar for excellence, and we’re proud to celebrate their contributions to the industry and our community. ?? Congratulations to all the finalists! ??Your dedication and vision continue to inspire and elevate Ohio’s position as a technology leader. ?? ?? Columbus Business First ?? CentralOhioCIO ?? NEOhioCIO ?? #OhioCIO #TechLeadership #ORBIEAwards #Innovation #CIO #CISO #LeadershipExcellence #CyberSecurity

?? "When technology works perfectly and securely, does anyone notice?" This thought-provoking question set the stage for the 2025 #ORBIE Leadership Reception, where we celebrated the outstanding nominees for the upcoming Ohio #ORBIE Awards and explored the evolving role of CIOs leading in times of change. ? Over 1??5??0??nominations this year reflect the strength, resilience, and innovation of Ohio’s technology community. Nominees represent exceptional leaders driving transformation, delivering value, and navigating rapid change and unprecedented challenges. ?? The evening featured an inspiring panel discussion led by prior Ohio #ORBIE winners, who shared insights on leadership and the evolving role of the CIO as strategic partners in the C-suite. Panelists included: ?? David Burns | GE Aerospace ?? Liam Durbin | T. Marzetti Company ?? Liv Gjestvang | Denison University ?? Ervan R. | fmr. Designer Brands ?? Sandra Rapp | TravelCenters of America ?? A special thank-you to Jim Fowler, Founding Chair of CentralOhioCIO, for securing the stunning venue at the Huntington Club, Columbus Crew Fieldhouse,? AND choosing to celebrate his birthday with us! ?? His dedication to growing and strengthening Ohio’s technology leadership community is unmatched. ? We can’t wait for the Ohio ORBIE Awards finalists to be revealed on November 22 by Columbus Business First. ?? Until then, we continue to honor and celebrate the incredible nominees who are shaping the future of technology and leadership in Ohio! ??Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable evening—connecting, recognizing, and inspiring Ohio’s best in technology leadership! #OhioORBIE ?? #CIOLeadership ?? #CentralOhioCIO ?? #NEOhioCIO ?? #OhioCISO ??

Today, we proudly honor the veterans within our CentralOhioCIO and NEOhioCIO chapters. Their journeys from military service to technology leadership exemplify the qualities that make them exceptional leaders both then and now. ? It’s easy to see why veterans make such remarkable leaders, both in service and in the technology field. Their commitment to teamwork, discipline, adaptability, and strategic thinking are qualities that stand out in any setting. Accustomed to high-stakes decision-making, they possess an unwavering sense of duty and understand the power of teamwork and purpose. In the technology world, these strengths translate seamlessly, enabling them to navigate complex challenges and inspire their teams with clarity and dedication. We are grateful for the leadership of: ?? Mikki Clancy – U.S. Marine Corps, Premier Inc. ?? Liam Durbin – U.S. Navy, T. Marzetti Company ?? Vincent Shorter – U.S. Army, Cardinal Health ?? Todd James – U.S. Coast Guard, 84.51? ?? Matthew Hough – U.S. Navy, Cintas We are deeply grateful for the service and sacrifice of these remarkable members of our OhioCIO community. Today, we celebrate not only their past contributions but also the invaluable leadership they continue to provide. Thank you for your courage, commitment, and the example you set for us all. It is an honor to support your leadership through our Ohio chapters—today and always! ?? CentralOhioCIO | NEOhioCIO | Inspire Leadership Network ??

??Thrilled to welcome Matt Weger of OhioHealth to CentralOhioCIO! It was a true pleasure witnessing Matt’s exemplary leadership throughout last year's #OhioCIO Awards season and celebrating his well-deserved ORBIE win! ?? As we prepare for another round of awards, it’s inspiring to reflect on the exceptional technology leadership across Ohio. Matt’s contributions are sure to enhance our chapter, and his engagement is something we’ve been eagerly anticipating. Welcome, Matt—your presence in CentralOhioCIO was well worth the wait! ?? #CentralOhioCIO #Leadership #TechnologyInnovation #OhioHealth

?? Celebrating the remarkable career of Ohio’s own Bill VanCuren! ?? ?? A technology visionary and strategic leader, Bill has consistently raised the bar in IT leadership. His dedication to advancing technology skills and professional development has left an indelible mark, particularly through his role with the Inspire Leadership Academy. ?? As Chair of our National Advisory Board, Bill has been instrumental in shaping the Academy’s innovative programs, including the development of our New Generation Leaders (NGL) initiative and a new executive-level leadership course—each designed to empower the next wave of tech executives! ?? With a career defined by transformation and impact, Bill’s influence continues to inspire future leaders. We are beyond grateful to have such a dedicated advisor guiding the Inspire Leadership Academy and supporting the growth of tomorrow’s technology trailblazers.?? ?? Read more about Bill’s journey in The National CIO Review? Link in the comments! ?? ?Our members are lucky to have your leadership part of the Inspire Leadership Network! #InspireLeadershipAcademy #TechnologyLeadership #Mentorship #ProfessionalDevelopment

We are thrilled (truly) to welcome back Venki Rao, Vice President and Chief Technology officer of CAS! ?? As one of the founding members of OhioCIO! It’s a joy to have you rejoin us and engage with our chapter once again! In CentralOhioCIO we’re more than just names on a website; we’re a vibrant community built on genuine connections and collaboration. The integrity and commitment of our technology leaders define us, and having Venki back serves as a powerful reminder of that. Your presence has been missed, and we’re excited for the valuable insights and experiences you bring back to the Inspire Leadership Network ? Welcome home, Venki! ?

?? Celebrating the Power of Community at CentralOhioCIO! ?? I am continually inspired by how our CentralOhioCIO fosters genuine connections and encourages members to support one another, both at Inspire Leadership Network events and beyond. Yesterday, it was heartwarming to see Daniel Gray from DXC Technology cheering on Liam Durbin at the Gartner conference while he shared insights on T. Marzetti Company's SAP transformation. This is what our chapter embodies! ?? Our CincyCIO crew, David Burns of GE Aerospace and Ryan Kean of Total Quality Logistics, continue to amaze me with their relentless professional endurance and commitment to excellence.?? Together, we’re building relationships that extend beyond our individual journeys, creating a network that truly enhances our professional lives. As the saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” ?? ? Thankful for community we are building in both CentralOhioCIO & NEOhioCIO ?

?? I’m thrilled to spotlight Murali Sundararajan, a key member of our CentralOhioCIO Advisory Board and a driving force behind Victoria’s Secret & Co. They have just been recognized as the most innovative specialty retailer in the annual American Innovation Index! ?? ? Not only did Victoria’s Secret/Pink secure the top spot in its category, but it also ranked 1?? 0??th overall among 16 industries for innovation. This remarkable achievement truly reflects their commitment to excellence, adaptability, and stylish design. It’s inspiring to see how prioritizing customer perceptions can drive meaningful change.?? ??Murali Sundararajan, your leadership and vision are making a lasting impact in the retail space, and we’re so proud to have you as part of the CentralOhioCIO chapter! ? ?? For more details, check out the full article in the comments below! #CentralOhioCIO #Innovation #Leadership #RetailExcellence

?? Heartfelt Appreciation for the CentralOhioCIO Advisory Board ?? I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to our incredible CentralOhioCIO Advisory Board members. Your dedication, leadership, and unwavering support for our chapter have profoundly impacted our CIO community across Ohio!?? ?? At the Inspire Leadership Network, we often say, "the answer is in the room," but it takes vulnerability to ask the right questions. I am truly inspired by the openness you all demonstrate in sharing challenges and seeking collaboration. This generous spirit not only strengthens our connections but also fosters a nurturing environment for the technology leaders our chapter supports. Together, we are on a shared mission to propel the technology community forward, shining a light on the remarkable leaders and organizations that make Ohio extraordinary. ?? I genuinely believe that through collaboration, we can go further, faster—together. It’s a privilege to support both Ohio chapters and the incredible CIOs who inspire and drive them forward every day. Thank you, CentralOhioCIO Advisory Board Members, for continuing to lean in and lead well. I am your biggest fan ?