Julio Morales is a seasoned Chief Information Officer with extensive experience navigating various sectors within higher education. In this conversation, Julio shares valuable perspectives on adapting technology strategies across different institutions, fostering innovation, and overcoming the unique challenges faced in academia. His journey offers a rare look at how a CIO can drive transformation, improve systems, and create collaborative environments while managing the evolving needs of diverse higher education sectors.

#1 Insights from a CIO that crossed sectors within HigherEd - Julio Morales

Our guest this time is Gregg Podalsky, a seasoned CEO and business leader who has built the American Recruiting and Consulting Group (ARCG) from humble beginnings in the early '80s into a nationally recognized firm. With hundreds of employees and a reputation for excellence, ARCG now operates across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, with its headquarters in Weston, Florida. Under Gregg's leadership, ARCG has earned numerous accolades, including recognition as one of Forbes' Top 200 companies.

#2 Recruitment & Consulting Business Changes and Insights from a CEO - Gregg Podalsky

Our guest is someone with an impressive track record in the tech world—Tony Casciotta, the former Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Broward College, one of the largest public colleges in the United States. With over 40 years of transformative leadership, Tony has expertly navigated every corner of the tech landscape, from project management and cloud applications to cybersecurity and data analysis. His extensive experience includes overseeing systems, networking, classroom technology, vendor partnerships, and much more.

Today, he is a principal and management consultant, that provides fractional CIO and CTO services to businesses seeking seasoned guidance. We’re thrilled to have him on this Chris Tech Chat episode!

#3 Top priorities from the lens of a public university CIO - Tony Casciotta

In episode #4, we face The Cloud vs. On-Prem dilemma that presents a significant challenge for businesses as they weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

Our expert guest is Joe Shook, a digital transformation leader with over 30 years of IT experience. As Executive VP of IT at Omnicom Group, Joe has helped centralize and automate global tech operations. He’s also held senior roles at Zimmerman Advertising and Florida Career College, focusing on IT strategy, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Joe is a passionate advocate for innovation and security, with numerous Microsoft certifications and expertise in cloud solutions, compliance, and digital resilience.

#4 The Cloud vs. On-Prem, a balancing act - Joe Shook

In episode #5 of the Chris Tech Chat, we dive into The Impact of Technology in the New Space Economy with a very special guest—Dr. John Wensveen, President of the International Space University (ISU).
As a globally recognized leader in space education, innovation, and international collaboration, Dr. Wensveen is at the forefront of shaping the future of space exploration. Under his leadership, ISU continues to drive cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships that fuel the rapidly evolving space economy.
With an impressive background spanning academia, entrepreneurship, and aerospace innovation, Dr. Wensveen brings a wealth of knowledge on why exploring the universe is not just an ambition but a necessity. We’ll discuss the technological advancements redefining space travel, the economic impact of the New Space Age, and the collaborative efforts needed to push humanity further into the cosmos.

#5 The Impact of Technology in the New Space Economy - Dr. John Wensveen

In this episode of the CHRIS TECH CHAT podcast, we’re joined by Joseph Lapin, a seasoned higher ed marketing leader with over 12 years of experience helping top universities navigate growth, branding, and enrollment strategy. From leading marketing at institutions like Michigan State, Villanova, and Emory, to supporting OPMs and universities through his work at Circa Interactive and Bisk, Joe brings a unique perspective on how schools can build internal capabilities and stay competitive in a shifting landscape. With a background in journalism and a passion for storytelling, Joe offers sharp insights into the evolving role of OPMs, the challenges institutions face, and what the future of higher education might look like.

#6 Universities Deciding on How to Build Capabilities Internally - Joseph Lapin

Don’t miss episode #7, as we discuss with a CIO himself, William Velez, The CIO as a Governance Leader & Boardroom Asset.

William Velez is an experienced Chief Information Officer (CIO) and business leader with 28+ years of professional experience (16 years as a C-Level executive) and deep domain expertise in Cybersecurity controls, multi-year Digital Transformation efforts, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance. Mr. Velez is currently the CIO at HEICO Corporation (NYSE: HEI), a $4B technology-driven aerospace, industrial, defense, and electronics company headquartered in Hollywood, FL. Before HEICO, Mr. Velez was CIO of Harvard Maintenance, Inc., where he focused on digital transformation efforts for the company’s 10k employees and 12k nationwide job sites. 
In addition to his work as CIO, Mr. Velez is an Advisory Committee member and served as Board President of the CIO Council of South Florida from 2018 to 2021. Mr. Velez holds an MBA from the Wharton School, an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico.

#7 The CIO as a Governance Leader & Boardroom Asset - William Velez

Mental health is one of the most pressing challenges facing the U.S. today, and the gaps in care are only widening. In episode #8, we’re joined by Jay Agarwal, CEO and founder of Thrive360ai, a mental health technology company. We dive into how artificial intelligence is stepping up: from early stages to accessible virtual therapy and personalized care models.
 
Jay is a community builder and a serial entrepreneur with over 2 decades of experience. His career is centered around driving innovation to serve the community and disrupting the way we see the world. Jay is a visionary leader who leverages his strategic and decisive mind to influence and persuade his team and colleagues to be the best they can be to build innovative products and solutions that benefit the greater community.

Before his current role, he had served as an innovator in Financial Services, Healthcare, Education, and Consulting Industries.

#8 How can AI help with the mental health crisis in America? - Jay Agarwal

Higher education institutions are facing challenges that are affecting not only their academic missions but also their overall business performance. Many of these challenges can be addressed through strategic leadership and the effective use of data and technology.
 
To explore this, we’re joined by Don Rudawsky, a seasoned higher education leader and a nationally recognized expert in analytics and strategy.
 
With over two decades of experience, Don has led transformative, data-informed initiatives to improve student success, retention, and graduation outcomes. He has held senior leadership roles—most recently as Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Nova Southeastern University—and is widely known for his ability to turn complex data into actionable insights that drive institutional performance and innovation.

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#9 Challenges Facing Higher Education Today - Don Rudawsky

The CHRIS TECH CHAT is a dynamic podcast that explores the intersection of technology, business, and IT. Each episode dives into the latest innovations, trends, lessons learned, best practices, experiences and challenges facing the tech industry, offering actionable insights for professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts. We unpack how businesses can leverage technology for growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage with expert interviews, case studies, and in-depth discussions.​