Dissecting Popular IT Nerds

Cindy Novak – DeLaurell With over 30 years of experience, Cindy Novak – DeLaurell brings a refreshing perspective on transitioning into technology leadership. A licensed pilot who drives Sherman tanks and manages multi-million dollar IT budgets, she demonstrates how diverse experiences shape effective leadership. Cindy she brings a distinctive blend of life sciences expertise and IT leadership to her role as Director of R&D and Technical Operations Business Partner at Avidity Biosciences. She shares her unique journey from quality engineering to IT leadership while breaking barriers in tech. Listen now, discover: Why saying “no” to leadership roles can be...

An ERP business killer’s use-case … fun times not to miss Arick Helmlinger, IT Manager of Business Systems and Data at RIX Industries, shares his path from software developer to IT leadership and managing a challenging ERP implementation during COVID-19. From his early days at Radio Shack to becoming the first in-house developer at RIX Industries, Arick discusses how asking for leadership opportunities and trusting his instincts shaped his career growth. He offers candid insights about the realities of managing enterprise software rollouts and building effective teams. Listen now, discover: The challenges of implementing an ERP system How...

Mental Bandwidth Fascinating conversation with Fernando Higuera on his evolution from teenage electronics hacker to tech leader in cloud architecture and AI. Fernando shares his breaking point – sitting frozen on an airplane, unable to move after weeks of 20-hour workdays building a practice from scratch. This pivotal moment transformed his approach to leadership and life. Listen now, discover: How early electronics experimentation shaped his tech career path  Creating innovative vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems   How to Manage stress and burnout in high-pressure tech roles  The importance of trust and communication in tech leadership  ️ Using AI as...

What really kills senior IT careers today? Chris Meyerpeter opens up about his remarkable path from Navy radioman to CIO, sharing his insights about leading IT organizations and creating meaningful business impact through technology. He discusses the critical importance of understanding business operations, the pragmatic implementation of agile methodologies, and how to build high-performing IT teams that drive real business value. Listen now, discover: Security strategy integration with business objectives       How to balance agile methodologies in non-tech industries ✴  How to build strong IT teams through cultural transformation Building sustainable talent development programs✏️ How military service shaped...

Kevin Eikenberry Kevin Eikenberry, seasoned leadership expert and author, shares deep insights on leading with flexibility while maintaining consistency. He explains why traditional leadership approaches fall short in today’s complex IT landscape and offers practical strategies for balancing stability with adaptability Why flexibility and consistency aren’t opposites but complementary qualities Listen now, discover: How to avoid the expertise trap that leads to micromanagement The critical difference between leading for compliance vs. commitment ⏳ Essential questions leaders must ask their teams Ways to maintain strategic vision while empowering your team ✏️ The vital balance between bird’s eye and...

Scott Geschel Scott Geschel, CIO at Premier Outdoor Living, leads IT across multiple units with a business-first mindset shaped by roles at QVC and in semiconductors. A 23-year Air Force and National Guard veteran, he also enjoys farming and woodworking. Governance | Security | Ultimate AI IT’s true impact starts with governance and passionate teams…not just flashy tools. AI is the ultimate goal… What drives real-world results: 3 Non-Negotiables AI Demands Clean Data: Before predicting markets or optimizing workflows, fix data ownership. Dirty data? Forget AI. Cybersecurity Needs Passion: Detection tools only work with teams who are “passionate...

Create raving end users that champion your IT department Dennis Zoesch, Director of IT Value Delivery at Wausau Supply Company. IT isn’t just about keeping systems running… It’s about driving measurable business impact. When IT is done right, it becomes the backbone of transformation. Here’s the reality: ✴ Security isn’t just tools… it’s the people. MDR solutions with network + endpoint sensors are key, but you need passionate specialists to interpret the data. ✴ AI’s biggest risk? Believing fake is real. Deepfakes are convincing fast, even savvy users get fooled. The stakes are higher than ever. ✴ Sales and IT...

350- Practical security layering techniques, done right by Noah Mechnig-Giordano

Trent Heiser, CIO at QC Supply, explains how going beyond traditional perimeter security is the only way forward in today’s dynamic landscape. Zero Trust is no longer an IT initiative. Whether you’re a CIO, CTO, IT manager, or just curious about how top leaders think… this episode will challenge how you view security in the modern enterprise.

Denise Hatzidakis, CIO, CTO, CISO “The business owns the what and the why. IT owns the how. Together, we figure out the when.” Top IT leaders know how to speak the language of business, but rarely do they teach stakeholders how to speak to them. Denise Hatzidakis, is one the strongest forces in IT leadership right now. Whether you are a winning IT leader, CTO, CFO, or user on the network… everyone can walk away from this episode with a profound moment of thought and how round table execs should have more conversations with IT leadership.