Charlotte’s CIO of the Year: Joe Topinka
by Larissa Pienkowski
We would like to send our heartfelt congratulations to Joe Topinka, winner of the CIO of the Year award in Charlotte, NC! As a man who wears many hats, Joe is also the dedicated CIO of SnapAV, CEO and Founder of CIO Mentor, author of the ground-breaking book IT Business Relationships: A Field Guide, and last but certainly not least, one of BRM Institute’s Executive Council Members. Here at BRM Institute, we are thrilled to celebrate our members’ achievements, and Joe is no exception.
Despite Joe’s numerous successes, his path to business relationship management was not always as clear as one might assume. After his basketball career ended prematurely in college, his future seemed uncertain, until he met with the head of the computer science department at his school and was convinced to take a programming class. Just like that, he was completely hooked—not only did he become a computer science major, but he began the long and rewarding road to where he is now as a BRM, author, CIO, and CEO.
When asked what he considers to be some of his most fulfilling successes, the collaborative spirit of BRM rings clear in Joe’s response. He is most proud of the ways in which the role has influenced business outcomes, as well as how he has positively impacted forward-thinking IT leaders through the release of his aforementioned first book, IT Business Relationships: A Field Guide. As Joe moves forward in his journey as a BRM and CIO, he is especially looking forward to spurring forth the growth of SnapAV, a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality audio/video products.
Joe is also excited to continue mentoring and coaching BRM programs, a task he feels drawn to as the industry continues growing and shifting to a convergence approach. His advice for those who want to be where he is today? “Don’t fall into the trap of adapting the old-school habits and practices that have anchored most IT organizations in the past. Learn the language of business and become bi-lingual between business and technology, and drive real value for the companies you work for.”