This year’s list of honorees includes technology executives that span across industries—from real estate to restaurants to healthcare. These executives have proven to be innovators, agents of change within their organizations, and bottom-line boosters. They’ve built new back-end systems, launched new technologies, and are breaking boundaries for their industries. These seven executives represent the top technology leaders in the region.
George Clopp
Outstanding CIO/CTO-Small
CTO,RMG Networks Holding Corp.
Since George Clopp’s arrival at RMG Networks in June 2016, he has transformed the company’s software, upgraded systems, and led the development of a new product, which launched in July, for the digital signage industry. Given that software is RMG’s core value proposition, Clopp’s software product, which offers multichannel communications and can deliver personalized content to any customer, helps the company gain a competitive edge.
Finalists: Gavin Robertson, WhamTech Inc.; Shawn Stauffer, Bioworld Merchandising Inc.
Matthew Kull
Outstanding CIO/CTO-Midsize
SVP & CIO, Parkland Health & Hospital Systems
With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, it’s no surprise Matthew Kull has played a major role at Parkland. He joined the system in 2014 and helped the organization set up Parkland Memorial Hospital at its new, state-of-the-art 2.1 million-square-foot relocation. He led the deployment of new digital technology systems in the 18 months prior to opening and is responsible for continued oversight.
Finalists: Chris Boult, Greyhound Lines Inc.; Dan Doggendorf, Dallas Stars; Gregory Ericson, Essilor of America Inc.; John Winborn, Dallas Cowboys
Chandra Dhandapani
Outstanding CIO/CTO-Large
CIO,CBRE Group Inc.
Chandra Dhandapani joined CBRE last July, after leading innovation efforts as CIO at Capital One Financial Services for 17 years. Since joining, she has built a product and capability roadmap and worked to improve skills related to a new software methodology CBRE adopted, bring data to the forefront of the decision-making process, and strengthen information security. She’s also continuously scanning for new innovations to benefit CBRE.
Finalists: Matthew Chambers, Baylor Scott & White Health; Christopher Holm, The Perot Cos.; Gertrude Van Horn, NCH Corp.
Sukumaran Nair
Outstanding Tech Advocate
Director, AT&T Center for Virtualization, Southern Methodist University Lyle School of Engineering
Suku Nair is leading the AT&T Center for Virtualization, which received a $2.5 million endowment from AT&T, to help companies across industries migrate from hardware to software- and cloud-based systems. The goal is to help corporations increase efficiency, accessibility, and reliability. The center aims to work side-by-side with companies to research solutions for stronger global connectivity. Nair hopes the center will strengthen Dallas’ reputation as a tech hub.
Finalist: Jennifer Sanders, Dallas Innovation Alliance
Lance Crosby
Excellence in Cybersecurity
Chairman & CEO, StackPath LLC
After splashing his new company onto the market last year, former Softlayer CEO and co-founder Lance Crosby is again aiming to build an empire. He launched StackPath, landed a $150 million investment, acquiring three companies out of the gate, and continues to grow the company. In February, the cybersecurity provider bought content delivery network provider Highwinds, bringing its total employment to more than 300.
Finalists: Joshua Spencer, UT Southwestern Medical Center; Ben Trowbridge, EY
Frank Mycroft
Outstanding Up & Comer
CEO, Booster Fuels Inc.
Frank Mycroft aims to disrupt traditional gas stations and, by the looks of it, he’s doing just that. Booster Fuels, which he launched in 2015 at AllianceTexas, uses trucks to deliver gas to employee vehicles of companies that buy into the service. Booster, which launched with help from Ross Perot Jr., recently landed a $20 million investment and revealed that it had more than 300 corporate customers.
Finalists: Justin White, Selery Fulfillment Inc.; Alex Doubet, Door
Sherif Mityas
CIO/CTO of the Year
Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, TGI Fridays
Sheif Mityas completely transformed TGI Fridays, a 50-plus-year-old brand, in just 12 months. He drove the redesign of the company’s digital platform, launched bot technology to automatically engage with customers, and drove the company’s partnership with Amazon. Since his appointment, the company’s multichannel business has grown more than 300 percent. With Mityas’ industry expertise, TGI Fridays has gained a new competitive edge.
Finalists: Andre Fuetsch, AT&T; Gary McClure, At Home Group Inc.; Andrew Nardo, PwC; Andrew Olowu, Axxess