The National CIO Review and the Executive Council of the CIO Professional Network have announced Dave Hatz as the 2024 CIO Cup recipient. In its fifth year, this prestigious honor recognizes technology leaders who exemplify innovation, strategic vision, and an enduring commitment to the greater tech leadership community.
Dave’s dedication to education and connection among his peers truly sets him apart.
A key aspect of Dave’s contribution has been his exemplary leadership in the CIO Professional Network, where he plays a crucial role in community discussions and leading member-only roundtable events. These gatherings serve as platforms for meaningful dialogue, peer learning, and the exchange of actionable insights, an approach Dave has embodied wholeheartedly.
Guided by the community principles of Connect, Collaborate, and Contribute, Dave contributes to an environment where technology leaders can share challenges, explore innovative solutions, and learn from one another.
His work epitomizes the spirit of the CIO Cup, amplifying the collective wisdom of the CIO community.
A Career of Amplifying the CIO’s Voice
With over 20 years of experience aligning technology and services with business challenges, Dave has built a track record of driving results in financial performance, efficiency, and customer experience. A people-first leader, he focuses on enabling teams to reach their full potential through clear expectations and accountability.
His leadership inspires both his organization and the wider technology leadership community.
“In my career, I’ve learned that being a technology leader isn’t solely about the technical details; it’s a blend of management, leadership, and a keen understanding of business impact. As I progressed, I had to accept that it wasn’t essential to be the most technically proficient person in the room. Instead, my role evolved to focus on strategic influence and fostering team success,” Dave remarked.
He also reflected on the award: “I’m humbled and honored by this recognition, and I’m incredibly grateful for this community of peers, whose perspectives and insights continuously enrich my work. I find true value not only in sharing what I’ve learned, but also in drawing from our collective wisdom, where I can seek guidance on any challenge and, in turn, contribute to others’ growth and success. In this era of artificial intelligence and accelerated learning, this network is one of my secret weapons for staying ahead. This community truly exemplifies what it means to thrive together.”
Continuing a Legacy of Leadership
Dave joins an esteemed group of past CIO Cup winners:
- Kiran Palla, Internal Revenue Service (2023)
- Harsha Bellur, James Avery Jewelry (2022)
- Lonnie Snyder, Special Olympics USA Games (2021)
- Phil Crawford, CKE Enterprises (2020)
Each of these leaders has left a mark, advancing the profession through collaboration, innovation, and community impact. Dave’s contributions continue to build on this legacy, ensuring the CIO Cup remains a beacon of leadership excellence.
Reflecting on past achievements, previous winners of the CIO Cup shared their sentiments.
“Every technology leader needs peer-to-peer networking and a sounding board to openly share knowledge and experiences. With the way technology is changing so rapidly, leaders need a lot of industry knowledge to cope with change. Winning the 2023 CIO Cup was a testimony to everyday learning, professional growth and our evolution as a compassionate and empathetic executives,” shared Palla.
“I was delighted to be the recipient of the 2022 CIO Cup. Engaging with such a remarkable group is a privilege, and I’m deeply grateful for this community. Every day, I’m inspired by the innovative ideas, thought leadership, and collaborative spirit this network fosters. The CIO Professional Network continues to be an invaluable community of forward-thinking technology leaders and I’m grateful and honored for the recognition,” said Bellur about winning the cup in 2022.
“I was honored to receive the CIO Cup in 2021, and it was a very proud moment in my career. By sharing challenges, helping solve problems, and accessing amazing learning opportunities, the peers in this network have helped make me a better CIO. I am so thankful for the amazing CIO Professional network community and the community managers who pour their hearts into serving the members.” offered Snyder.
Celebrating the Community – 2024 Distinguished Members
Alongside the 2024 CIO Cup, the CIO Professional Network recognized its 2024 Distinguished Members for their contributions and dedication to the core pillars of the community.
- Jerry Heinz, Genvid
- Phil Stevens, Janus International
- Harsha Bellur, James Avery Jewelry
- Leon Kallikkadan, Atrium
- Stephen Greco, NYC-Based Media Analytics Company
- Tim Ryan, Aegis Sciences Corporation
- William Novak, Meaden & Moore
- Beth O’Rorke, Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Kiran Palla, Internal Revenue Service
- Lonnie Snyder, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
A True Community
“Dave’s servant leadership, his ability to drive collaboration, and his dedication to uplifting fellow technology leaders are exactly what the CIO Cup stands for,” said H. Michael Burgett, founder of the CIO Professional Network.
“His contributions have helped shape this network into the thriving, supportive community it is today, setting a standard for what true leadership in technology looks like. From the beginning, our members set out to create something different, a space for CIOs to engage without the influence of vendors, focusing instead on genuine peer support and shared growth. Dave has been a crucial figure in realizing that vision, contributing to a culture of servant leadership that has propelled us forward, redefining what it means to be part of a true community.“
About the CIO Cup
Presented by The National CIO Review in partnership with the CIO Professional Network, the CIO Cup honors technology leaders who demonstrate outstanding innovation, strategic vision, and community impact, highlighting the role of leadership and collaboration in driving progress within the tech industry.
