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CIO Spotlight: Chris Mowry, Chief Information Technology Officer

Tech leadership shaped by a military mindset.
TNCR Staff
Outstanding Concept. One Glowing Bulb Between Many Unlit Bulbs on Dark Background

Walk us through your CIO path. How did you decide to pursue a career in technology, and how did you progress to your current organization?

My journey began straight out of high school when I joined the U.S. Marine Corps. It was there that I developed resilience, leadership, and strategic thinking – qualities that have shaped my approach to technology leadership ever since.

During my time in the Corps, I was introduced to programming and system administration, it led me to my degree in Computer Science and into the technology world. From those early days as a software tester and system administrator across various firms, I continued to build my tech skills, proactively seeking opportunities to grow. This dedication eventually propelled me into executive leadership roles in Software Engineering.

One of the most transformative chapters in my career was at Capital One, where I had the privilege of leading workforce technology initiatives and driving innovation. This role expanded my expertise into broader domains, including data, engineering, change management, and product development. It also allowed me to lead IT organizations through complex digital transformations, consistently delivering impactful and measurable results.

Throughout my career, I have embraced a growth mindset, always committed to leveraging emerging technologies like AI and machine learning. By focusing on enhancing efficiency, scalability, and business growth, I have remained resilient in my mission to drive meaningful change through technology.

What was the most pivotal challenge you faced as a CIO, and how did you overcome it?

One of the most pivotal challenges I faced was leading a rapid global digital transformation across four distinct organizations. The complexity stemmed from each organization leveraging different technologies, facing unique regulatory demands, and lacking a unified agreement on the need for transformation.

Overcoming this challenge required building trust with each entity, fostering collaboration across business units, prioritizing clear and frequent communication, and leveraging strategic partnerships.

Throughout the process, I maintained a focus on aligning technology initiatives with overarching business goals and securing executive buy-in. This approach not only resolved the challenges but also laid the foundation for a future-ready organization.

What are your top 3-5 (ongoing) main priorities as a technology leader in your organization?

As a technology leader, my primary priorities have consistently included AI-driven transformation, cybersecurity enhancement, digital innovation, data accessibility, and talent development.

AI is a transformative force in modern business, and I focus on its strategic application to build and deliver measurable results.

My approach starts with identifying areas for immediate impact, such as streamlining information retrieval through frameworks like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). This sets the foundation for broader AI integration and alignment with business objectives to empower both the organization and its stakeholders.

In the face of constantly shifting security threats, prioritizing building a resilient cybersecurity posture through continuous assessments against frameworks like NIST and ISO is a foundational step. I approach integrating robust data and infrastructure protection, advanced monitoring tools, and a culture of awareness that empowers employees to be active participants in safeguarding the organization.

The goal is to ensure the enterprise remains secure while enabling confident business operations.

Digital innovation is about leveraging technology to transform business processes and create lasting impact. My focus is on identifying opportunities to modernize workflows and enhancing customer engagement through advanced tools like IoT and cloud-native platforms. By building scalable, future-ready solutions, I have enabled organizations to adapt swiftly to changing demands while driving efficiency and growth.

Data is the cornerstone of informed decision-making and operational success.

My approach focuses on breaking down silos and implementing scalable, cloud-based platforms to enhance accessibility and efficiency. The goal is to ensure data strategies align with business goals to unlock insights, drive innovation, and enable well-informed decisions.

Ensuring talent is skilled to handle emerging technologies and retaining them is going to be a difficult challenge. I work with my teams to promote continuous learning, mentorship, and empowerment, recognizing that the value each individual brings is foundational. Enablement at its core drives teams to adapt to evolving business needs and creates a strong foundation for long-term organizational success.

Having a mindset on these priorities enables me to drive innovation, safeguard assets, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organizations I support.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing CIOs in your industry?

Certainly not an easy one to answer but the big ones that require more strategic thought are:

  • AI Integration and Governance: While AI offers transformative potential, leaders must navigate the complexities of ethical implementation and governance. Balancing rapid adoption with accountability and transparency requires robust frameworks that will mitigate risks and build trust with stakeholders.
  • Cybersecurity Threats: Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and happening more often, with attacks targeting not only data but also operational integrity. We as leaders must implement advanced, AI-driven threat detection systems and promote a proactive security culture to safeguard critical assets while maintaining business agility.

  • Data Silos and Accessibility: Legacy systems and fragmented data remain significant barriers to innovation. Unlocking the full potential of organizational data through scalable cloud solutions and cross-functional collaboration is critical for breaking down these barriers.
  • Talent Retention: The competition for top-tier technology professionals is fierce, with rapid innovation increasing demand. Leaders must prioritize talent strategies that emphasize skill development, inclusivity, empowerment, and alignment with emerging technologies to build resilient, future-ready teams. I feel strongly that more focus on this is needed!

These challenges require leaders to think beyond immediate solutions. By tackling these issues with strategic intent, leaders can not only mitigate risks but also position their organizations for sustainable growth and success.

How do you decompress from your role as a technology executive? What do you do for fun?

The demands of a technology executive can be significant and I believe taking time to decompress is important. I still love to stay connected and active in the community, I love focusing my time in mentorship programs such as Startup Virginia and L.A.U.N.C.H for Life, where I support entrepreneurs and mentor and guide young men.

I have found mentoring young men and working with other leaders and mentors in the program so rewarding.

I really take advantage of time after work. I enjoy cooking and experimenting with different food from all types of cultures, not sure my family always loves it though! I also spend everyday exercising, it is a stress reliever and I always feel great when I am done!

Most important for me is the time I get with my family, they are the best, and they help me recharge and maintain perspective.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be a CIO?

Over the course of my career, three key principles have consistently guided my growth as a technology leader:

1. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Staying curious and adaptable is essential in technology. For aspiring leaders, this means embracing continuous learning, particularly around trends like AI and machine learning. It’s about staying informed and actively seeking ways to integrate these innovations to create value.

2. Develop Strategic Acumen: Technology leadership is about driving business outcomes. Aspiring leaders should strive to understand how technology aligns with and amplifies business goals, whether it’s through enhancing customer experiences, optimizing processes, or identifying new revenue opportunities.

3. Prioritize Collaboration: The most impactful IT initiatives are those that bridge organizational silos. Building strong partnerships with business units and fostering cross-functional alignment ensures that technology strategies are integrated and deliver maximum value. Collaboration is the cornerstone of successful digital transformation, this is my number 1, which is why I saved the best for last!

In my belief these principles can not only navigate the complexities of the role but also create meaningful, lasting impact within their organizations.

Can you list the top book that you would recommend for a technology leader to have on their bookshelf/Kindle?

It is hard to pick three books, there are so many really good books out there. A few that I have read recently that I really enjoyed:

  1. Good to Great – by Jim Collins: The book underscores the importance of disciplined strategy, the right leadership, and a relentless focus on excellence. I believe these principles resonate in driving impactful change.
  1. Deep Work – by Cal Newport: The book provides insights on the value of focused, meaningful work. It discusses how leaders can draw inspiration on how to cultivate deep focus within their teams. The goal is to enable teams to tackle complex problems and deliver innovative solutions.
  1. AI Superpowers – by Kai-Fu Lee: This is a little different, it explores the global AI race and its implications. It offers a perspective on how AI is reshaping the future and providing a framework for embracing its transformative potential.

Can you share a specific quote that is a source of inspiration for you as a leader?

“Technology is best when it brings people together.”

Matt Mullenweg

This quote resonates deeply with me because it encapsulates one of my leadership philosophies. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the transformative power of collaboration in achieving ambitious goals. By bringing people together, whether through technology, shared purpose, or aligned strategies, we unlocked the full potential of our teams and drove the best outcomes.

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”

Alan Kay

I love Alan Kay’s insight (note: he first said this in 1971!) It underscores the importance of proactive problem-solving and creative thinking in shaping the future. This mindset drives me to not only embrace emerging technologies like AI but to actively leverage them to craft solutions that propel organizations forward.

Please share a recommendation or testimonial on the benefit you see as a member of the CIO Professional Network.

The CIO Professional Network has been an invaluable platform for collaboration, providing access to thought leaders, insights on emerging technologies, and strategies for addressing shared challenges. It’s a community that amplifies the collective impact of technology executives.

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