The Cyber Business Podcast

In this episode… Vlad Podoliako shares his journey from an entry-level IT position to founding Belkins, a top B2B acquisition agency. He explains how Belkins grew into a multi-company ecosystem, solving critical business challenges like email deliverability through its product, Folderly. Vlad's approach to entrepreneurship is rooted in solving problems for his own team and clients, leading to inno...

In This Episode Matt Huff shares his remarkable journey from factory work to becoming the CIO of Tanner LLC, one of the premier accounting firms in Utah. Matt discusses how Tanner has embraced cybersecurity as a core offering, providing services such as SOC 2 compliance, ISO 27001 audits, and penetration testing. He explains how his pragmatic approach to IT helps simplify complex systems and align...

In This Episode: It opens with Sarfraz Shaikh, who provides a compelling overview of the digital transformation accelerated by the pandemic. He highlights the rise of remote work, social media, and telehealth, as well as the challenges of data protection and regulatory compliance. Sarfraz emphasizes the evolving role of IT, transitioning from a "department of no" to a strategic enabler within the...

In this episode… Bruce Otte dives deep into the intricate workings of JERA, a leading energy company that blends power generation with global energy trading. He unpacks the fascinating history of JERA, which emerged as a collaborative response to Japan's energy crisis post-Fukushima, highlighting its transition into a powerhouse managing $60 billion in assets. Bruce provides a behind-the-scenes lo...

In this episode… Maximo Bredfeldt shares his unique perspective on leadership, IT, and the power of confidence. Drawing on years of experience, Maximo explains the challenges of scaling IT systems for a logistics company like Longship, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond a small-business mindset. He highlights how IT must not only support business processes but also enhance them to avoid s...

Briana Brown shares how De Nova Collaborative Health leverages technology to provide exceptional patient experiences. Even during the pandemic, De Nova adapted swiftly, growing its virtual healthcare capabilities and maintaining patient trust. With locations expanding across Arizona and a heavy focus on virtual care, the organization ensures flexibility and accessibility for its patients. A key th...

In this episode… Bradley Enneking discusses the monumental task of consolidating 36 acquired banks into a unified operating company under the HTLF brand. He shares how standardizing processes across 11 distinct brands was the most challenging yet rewarding aspect of the transformation. While unifying technology was relatively straightforward, Bradley emphasizes that change management and aligning...

In this episode… Erich Gazaui discusses Papa's mission to combat the loneliness epidemic affecting senior citizens. With services offered nationwide, Papa leverages Medicare Advantage to provide companionship through its network of Pals, creating meaningful connections that improve seniors' mental and physical health. Erich explains how the company operates remotely while maintaining a personal to...

In this episode… Noel Toal sheds light on how DPV Health seamlessly merges its mission of community care with operational efficiency through innovative technology. Noel explains DPV Health's nonprofit funding model, supported by federal and state governments, and how the organization invests in ICT to optimize resources and deliver critical services to Melbourne's socioeconomically vulnerable popu...

In This Episode: Kevin Heineman shares his experience as the Chief Information Security Officer at Lyric, a company he describes as a "30-year-old startup." Kevin explains Lyric's transition from being part of Change Healthcare to becoming an independent entity focused on payment integrity for major health insurance carriers. He dives into the company's foundational approach to security, including...

In this episode, Matthew Connor sits down with Jason Ledney, the IT Manager at Saint Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, who shares insights on managing IT for a nonprofit with diverse operational needs. Jason explains how the organization serves various underprivileged groups through Head Start programs, homeless shelters, veteran support, and more, creating unique IT requirements for each division. He...

In This Episode In this episode, Matthew Connor hosts Christos Ruci, CIO of Limbach, as they discuss the critical overlap between infrastructure and cybersecurity. Christos shares his unique career path—from AOL customer support to CIO of a national building solutions provider—highlighting how each role shaped his approach to IT leadership. At Limbach, he has adopted a business-first perspective,...

In this episode, Matthew Connor engages with J.D. Whitlock, Chief Information Officer of Dayton Children's Hospital, to explore the unique demands of nonprofit healthcare technology. J.D. shares his career journey from Navy officer to healthcare administrator, and finally to CIO, where his strategic approach drives the hospital's technological and security advancements. In a nonprofit setting, he...

In this episode… Sarfraz Shaikh shares his unique journey from working in marketing and communications to leading the IT department at One Mesa. With an educational background in IT, Sarfraz was able to leverage his technical knowledge and communication skills to help shape the company's IT strategies during a time of growth. Starting in a loosely structured environment, Sarfraz played a crucial r...

In this Episode: In this episode, Alex Campbell shares his journey from Zimbabwe to Canada, with stops along the way in Europe, where he gained experience in a wide array of industries, eventually leading to his current role at Healthy Planet. Alex talks about the evolution of Healthy Planet from a small family-run health store to a well-known Canadian retail chain, with over 30 stores, as they co...

In this Episode Evan Jost brings a unique blend of experience from the military and corporate sectors. As an IT manager at HighLevel, Evan's transition from managing on-site aviation infrastructure to a global, remote workforce presents a fascinating journey. He shares how HighLevel's integrated platform offers affordable solutions for businesses, especially when compared to competitors like HubSp...

In This Episode... Rich Walker takes us through the fascinating journey of building Quik! Forms from the ground up. Initially starting with an Excel-based hack to automate financial forms for his clients, Rich soon realized the larger potential of creating a streamlined solution for an industry burdened with paperwork. Through sheer determination and technical innovation, he, alongside his mother...

In this episode… The world of IT is diverse, encompassing industries from corporate offices to entertainment venues. As Chris Benson shares his experiences working at Imagine Entertainment, he sheds light on how IT plays a critical role in maintaining a seamless movie-going experience. Imagine Entertainment is not your typical movie theater chain — they specialize in providing luxury experiences,...

In this episode of The Cyber Business Podcast , Matthew Connor welcomes Geoff Moore, Chief Information Officer at Valmark Financial Group, to delve into the complex world of cybersecurity in financial services. Geoff shares his experiences managing the intricate balance between regulatory compliance and the operational freedom of independent financial advisors. He explains how Valmark navigates th...

In this episode of The Cyber Business Podcast, host Matthew Connor sits down with Giovanni Dienstmann, author and personal development expert, to discuss the key insights from his book "Wise Confidence." Giovanni shares his deep understanding of self-confidence, diving into how virtues like confidence can have a "shadow side" if not balanced properly. He explains his unique approach of "living ins...

In this episode… In this episode of The Cyber Business Podcast, host Matthew Connor sits down with Chris Ritchie, the IT Manager of ARM Group, a leading engineering firm in the Mid-Atlantic region. Chris shares his unique journey from working in church ministry to becoming a key figure in the IT industry, where he now manages the technological infrastructure of a company with nearly 300 employees....

In this episode… In this episode of The Cyber Business Podcast, host Matthew Connor sits down with Todd Holzman, a renowned leadership coach and CEO of Holzman Leadership, who has spent over three decades helping top executives and organizations improve their communication and leadership skills. Todd shares his unique journey from being a leadership coach for IBM's top executives to founding his o...

In this episode of the Cyber Business Podcast, host Matthew Connor sits down again with Jonathan Clark, the author of The Little Red Book and a successful entrepreneur, to explore the journey of scaling a business beyond the initial stages of growth. Jonathan kicks off the conversation by discussing the common struggle many small business owners face after they've established their business and bu...

In this episode of The Cyber Business Podcast, host Matthew Connor sits down with Jonathan Clark, the author of "The Little Red Book," a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Jonathan shares his journey from a modest upbringing in a small Alabama town to becoming the leader of a successful seven-figure architecture and engineering firm. He provides insights into the...

In this episode… In this episode of The Cyber Business Podcast, host Matthew Connor sits down with Richard Brock, CEO of Onboard Legal and Amazon best-selling author. Richard shares his extensive experience in the legal recruiting industry and the insights that led him to write his book, "Win the Talent Game." He discusses the evolving landscape of legal recruiting, emphasizing the importance of a...