1. What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
The most challenging (and rewarding!) aspect of my job is to stay ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving technology market. My role for our clients — and our team philosophy — is to help continually translate and communicate these changes in ways that help their businesses grow. We take enormous pride in the fact that we have been able to provide the most current solutions for our customers. They have benefited greatly from our forward-thinking team. We at ITP genuinely have fun each day supporting some of Wisconsin’s best companies and nonprofits.
2. Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
In business I look up to Robert Herjavec, most well known for being on Shark Tank. I had the chance to have dinner with Robert and appreciate his ability to look at future trends to make smart investments. Robert is a technology company owner like myself and he had a great vision for his company to remain focused on cyber security. This was before cyber security was the big trend it is now and today his company leads the way.
3. What has been the high point of your career so far?
By far the high point of my career has been becoming the CEO at my current company, ITP. I had the opportunity to work alongside three other great partners in the business for a few years before ultimately buying the company. Now I have the rare experience of still working with those same three guys, plus another 35 team members. Their choice to remain in the company shows what kind of good people that I have had the chance to be in business with.
4. Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Mentorship is key! I think I would tell myself to learn as much as possible from the people around me. Ask more questions and be prepared for the leadership roles I would end up with five years later. If you have someone in your circle now who you could learn from, take the time to ask them directly to spend time coaching you. Asking for more coaching can be a tough and humbling moment, but it is so worth it as you progress on your professional path.
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5. What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
Madison is a very inspiring place to run a business. We call Madison the “little big town.” It is a place where you know people, who know people, who work at incredible, well-known, and international companies. There is a constant influx of new talent that we learn from and collaborate with all the time. Whether it be local manufacturing, agriculture, technology, education, or nonprofits the people here are making a substantial difference in the world.
As for life in Madison, my wife, Angela, and I are constantly reminded of the incredible resources from which our children can learn and grow. This is an enriched community and we could not feel luckier to have put down our roots here.
6. Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
People who know me now might be surprised to know I was a drummer from the fifth grade through college. While I don’t get to play anymore, there is a part of me that misses it. I can’t wait to teach my kids about percussion and drums, and encourage them to explore their musical talents.
7. What are your guilty pleasures?
I love show tunes. While my wife could certainly star on Broadway, I definitively could not, but we both love live theater. If you take a peek into my iPhone it is not filled with techie music or hard rock, but show tunes. Angela and I have seen countless musicals together in NYC and Chicago. We have tickets to “Hamilton” in October in NYC and again in Chicago in December. We will bring all our kids to “Hamilton” in Chicago, since they all know the soundtrack by heart already. My 5-year-old son Seth just started kindergarten and his teacher is Mrs. Hamilton. Guess how he remembers her name?
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