Why should CIOs step away from being the "technical fixer" to lead effectively?

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Jeff Ton, former CIO of Ton Enterprises, LLC, and a seasoned leader in IT and leadership development. Jeff shares his journey from COBOL punch cards to guiding leaders on transformative expeditions inspired by the Lewis and Clark trail. He explains why leadership is about more than just technical skills and how understanding core values can shape a team’s vision.

Leadership comes with both challenges and rewards, and Jeff explores what it really takes to guide a team. He shares how experiences, even a nature expedition, can offer fresh perspectives and reshape the way leaders see their role.

Key takeaways

• Leadership is about enabling others, not just controlling outcomes
• Strong communication builds trust and drives alignment within teams
• CIOs who focus on people and vision, not just the tech, make the biggest impact

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:10) How prioritizing the right projects transforms IT momentum

(06:45) AI as a tool for transformation, not a one-size-fits-all solution

(13:44) On leadership, writing, and walking the Lewis and Clark Trail

(19:11) How to navigate leadership with a balanced perspective

(24:09) Lessons on tech and music

(27:56) Rapid-fire questions

Resources

Jeff Ton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtonindy/
Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Ton Enterprises, LLC: https://jeffreyston.com/

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com

Explore the Indiana CIO Network: https://techpoint.org/indiana-cio-network/

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS

Momentum is built in the uncertain moments, when leaders are stretched, cultures shift, and teams look for someone steady to move them forward.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel sits down with Warren Lenard, CIO of the Indiana Office of Technology, whose path has taken him through some of the toughest environments a CIO can face. From guiding a retail organization through COVID to stepping into statewide leadership with no public-sector background, Warren has led in seasons that reveal what leadership truly means.

Key takeaways

• Leadership evolves when leaders shift from controlling outcomes to enabling people
• Culture is strengthened or weakened by how leaders communicate
• CIOs earn their influence by partnering across the business, not protecting the tech

Episode highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:33) How COVID challenges were tackled at Byrider

(13:25) Warren’s career journey and experiences

(21:55) Finding leadership growth and communication in IT

(27:56) Why in-person interaction shapes culture, teamwork, and silos

(38:32) How the CIO role continues to evolve

(43:18) The importance of AI literacy in the future of work

(46:07) What fitness and creativity teach

(48:08) Advice he’d give his younger self

(49:16) Connecting and networking with purpose

Resources

Warren Lenard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrenlenard
Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore the Indiana Office of Technology: https://www.in.gov/iot/

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com
Explore the Indiana CIO Network: https://techpoint.org/indiana-cio-network

Reset by Dan Heath: https://www.danheath.com
Books by Malcolm Gladwell: https://www.gladwellbooks.com

Books by Patrick Lencioni: https://www.tablegroup.com/books/?srsltid=AfmBOoo9gyp35SwrlEnRT9TEWq4bGBO5_SJ4oosSe7F3TR0lKMqyTFv7

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS

Transformation takes shape in the chaos of everyday work. It's in tough choices and moments when nothing feels certain, and leaders stand at the center of it all, steadying their teams and helping them move with purpose.

In this episode, Aaron Kopel chats with Republic Airways CIO Matt Belanger, who’s right in the middle of one of the most intense seasons a CIO can walk into. New headquarters are coming online, flight operations systems are being rebuilt, a major acquisition is closing, and two cultures are preparing to come together. It’s the kind of environment where leadership either shows up or doesn’t.

Matt talks openly about what it takes to prioritize when everything is important, how he stays present for his people when the pace spikes, and why CIOs have to step beyond being the “details person” and start leading like enterprise partners. His path towards aviation gives him a perspective you rarely hear, and it’s one every evolving CIO will recognize.

Key takeaways:

• Momentum requires leaders to let go of old habits
• Culture is the real engine of transformation
• Operational excellence earns you permission to transform

Episode highlights:

(00:00) Intro

(01:40) How Matt unlearned being “just the engineer”

(03:55) Why Republic’s transformation demanded a new leadership lens

(05:22) Managing extreme organizational load without losing culture

(06:48) The power of self-organized culture teams during heavy change

(07:55) How CIOs decide what deserves their time when everything is urgent

(09:10) What needs to stop in order to grow

(11:58) Why apprenticeships are a strategic advantage in tech

(13:40) The journey to modernizing aviation’s next frontier

(15:05) Why CIO credibility starts with operational reliability

(16:22) Building trust across the business through curiosity, not control

(20:40) Inside the Indiana CIO Network and why CIOs shouldn’t lead alone

Resources:

Matt Belanger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbelanger/

Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel

Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com/

Explore the Indiana CIO Network: https://techpoint.org/indiana-cio-network/

Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS