HEATH SCHWARTZ
Chief Information Officer at Dynamo Capital
Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself
Having been in information technology for 28 years, I have been witness to amazing growth, innovation, and change that has taken place during this timeframe. I currently serve as the Chief Information Officer for Dynamo Capital. We are a startup company that is experiencing tremendous growth, so that means my days are busy, but rewarding.
I enjoy bringing my experience in IT and business to our organization to help us thrive as an organization. We have a talented group of people that work hard to fight against Price’s law to maximize productivity of the individual, so we can get more work done without hiring a huge staff. Our employees are our lifeblood. This is a culture that we have created at Dynamo Capital. We are ambassadors of ERA (Empower, Responsibility, Accountability).
This approach empowers our employees to succeed because responsibilities are defined, which allows us to be accountable in our day-to-day tasks, special projects, and collaborate effectively with our teams. I have been married to my wife, Katrina, for 16 years. We have seven incredible children and six grandchildren. In my spare time, I have a creativity component to my personality, so I make art when possible to help keep me grounded as well as enjoy all our children and grandchildren as often as we can.
What path have you taken to your current position?
My path to this role has been a journey of cumulative experience. I started my IT career in 1996. Having attained my Novell CNE, I began my journey as a Systems Administrator for a hazardous waste management company. From there, I started my first consulting position in 2000 for a small VAR (Value Added Reseller) out of Texas. During this time, I really began to hone my skills, particularly in communication and collaboration with my customers and team members. Transitioning to a larger VAR in 2004, I gained experience in leadership as well as Operations. Moving from engineering to engineering leadership and then to Operations Director was a significant change, but one that I welcomed eagerly. In this role, I gained extensive knowledge of how businesses operate, which prompted me to pursue further education in accounting to better support the business.
The VAR I was working for was eventually sold to an out-of-state company, leading me to join another larger VAR in the Midwest. It was here that I embarked on a new challenge - transitioning to a sales role in IT. Selling was the last thing on my list that I had not yet done, and it took me about six months to wrap my head around it after spending so much time as an engineer. However, I quickly learned that my engineering and business background provided instant credibility in the sales arena.
While I had notable success in IT sales, winning salesperson of the year five times, I attribute much of that success to the lessons learned and the support of my colleagues. These experiences taught me valuable lessons about the industry and myself, shaping my perspective and approach to my work.
In 2023, I decided it was time to make a change, and the CIO position at Dynamo Capital opened up, which felt like a perfect fit at the perfect time. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Dynamo Capital's success and continue growing in my career."
Has it always been your vision to reach the position you’re at? Was your current role part of your vision to become a tech leader?
My vision for my career has always been to focus on understanding business challenges. When you work with customers, internal or external, it is easy to get caught up in 'what people want' as opposed to 'what does the business need?'.
Having learned to focus on business challenges and outcomes, I believe my experience in all previous positions gave me the confidence to tackle leadership roles.
A CIO position was something I aspired to achieve at some point in my career. In this role, I can truly contribute to our company by streamlining processes, ensuring the right people are in the right positions, and demonstrating how technology can enhance and support the business.
Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey? (If you feel comfortable, please share their name and how they helped you)
I have been fortunate to have had several role models throughout my life, both personally and professionally, who have shaped my values and influenced my career path. One of my earliest role models was my Uncle Keneth Ash. I began working for his company at the age of 11, where he instilled in me a strong work ethic and the importance of conducting myself with ethics and integrity. Similarly, my first cousin, Jerry Townsend, demonstrated the rewards of hard work during our time together, teaching me valuable lessons that have stayed with me.
During my teenage years, I found inspiration from mentors like Jeff Walters, a member of DeMolay, who taught me essential skills such as public speaking with confidence, professional attire, and self-presentation for success.
In my professional career, individuals like Gary Alexandr, owner of Alexander Open Systems, played a significant role in shaping my approach to selling IT solutions and services. Gary's emphasis on having an 'attitude of gratitude' in all aspects of life has been a guiding principle for me.
As I've grown older, I've made it a priority to pay it forward by serving as a mentor and role model to others. I believe strongly in the importance of supporting and empowering the next generation of professionals, just as I was supported along my own journey. It's incredibly rewarding to see others succeed and knowing that I've played a small part in their development.
How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?
My experience and career in technology leadership has help me develope a vision for my future. I anticipate the role of technology leadership will continue to evolve in several key ways. Here is what I am going to focus on over the next five years.
1. Strategic Business Alignment: Technology leaders will increasingly need to align their strategies with broader business objectives. Your emphasis on understanding business challenges and outcomes reflects this trend, as technology becomes not just a support function but a driver of business success.
2. Innovation and Adaptability: The pace of technological change shows no signs of slowing down, so technology leaders must foster cultures of innovation and adaptability within their organizations. Your experience in a startup environment likely reinforces the importance of being agile and responsive to changing market conditions.
3. Ethical and Responsible Use of Technology: As technology becomes more pervasive in society, ethical considerations become increasingly important. Your emphasis on conducting yourself with ethics and integrity speaks to the need for technology leaders to prioritize ethical decision-making and responsible use of technology.
4. Mentorship and Talent Development: Your commitment to serving as a mentor and role model highlights the importance of talent development in the future of technology leadership. As the demand for skilled technology professionals continues to grow, nurturing and developing talent will be critical for organizational success.
5. Integration of Technology and Business Strategy: Technology leaders will play a central role in integrating technology into every aspect of the business, from operations to customer experience. Your focus on using technology to enhance and support the business underscores this trend, as organizations increasingly look to technology for competitive advantage.
Overall, the future of technology leadership will require a combination of technical expertise, business acumen, ethical leadership, and a commitment to talent development. By embracing these principles, technology leaders can drive innovation, create value for their organizations, and positively impact society as a whole.
What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?
Leaders of the future will likely need a diverse set of skills to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic world. I believe focusing on a few key areas will ensure future leaders are prepared for our ever changing world.
1. Adaptability and Flexibility: The pace of change is accelerating, and leaders must be able to quickly adapt to new circumstances, technologies, and ways of working.
2.Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions, both in oneself and in others, will be crucial for building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and navigating conflicts effectively.
3. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Future leaders will need to be able to analyze complex situations, think creatively, and develop innovative solutions to the challenges they face.
4. Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication will always be important for leaders, but in a world where information is constantly being shared and disseminated, the ability to communicate persuasively across different mediums and to diverse audiences will be even more valuable.
5. Digital Literacy: As technology continues to play a central role in every aspect of our lives, leaders will need to be comfortable using and leveraging technology to drive innovation, streamline processes, and stay competitive.
6. Cultural Competence: In an increasingly interconnected world, leaders must be able to navigate cultural differences and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Resilience: Leadership can be demanding and challenging, and future leaders will need to be resilient in the face of setbacks, failures, and adversity.
7. Visionary Leadership: With so much uncertainty and complexity, leaders who can articulate a compelling vision for the future and inspire others to work towards it will be highly sought after.
8. Collaboration and Team Building: The problems we face today are often too complex for any one person to solve alone. Future leaders will need to be skilled at building and leading teams, fostering collaboration, and harnessing the collective intelligence of their organizations.
9. Ethical Leadership: In a world where trust in institutions and leaders is often low, ethical leadership will be more important than ever. Leaders must demonstrate integrity, transparency, and a commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult.
Overall, the leaders of the future will need to be adaptable, emotionally intelligent, critical thinkers who can communicate effectively, leverage technology, work well with others, and lead with integrity and vision.
Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?
Staying abreast of the constant innovation and dynamic advancements in information technology often feels like a daunting task. However, my focus remains steadfast on discerning what holds the utmost relevance for both my business and the needs of my customers. I prioritize dedicating time to exploring and delving into ideas that bolster our business objectives while simultaneously keeping a vigilant eye on emerging trends and inevitable shifts in the landscape.
To ensure I remain informed and attuned to the pulse of technological evolution, I engage in various channels of learning. This includes actively listening to insightful podcasts, participating in enriching seminars, and avidly consuming content from reputable technology publications. By gathering insights from diverse sources, I aim to synthesize information into actionable knowledge that may ultimately culminate in wisdom.
In addition to professional growth, I place a high value on personal development. I commit to introspection and self-reflection, akin to gazing into a mirror, to discern areas for improvement and avenues for growth. This involves immersing myself in literature that nurtures my intellect, nurturing my spiritual well-being through connection with my faith, absorbing enlightening content from books or podcasts focused on personal development, and allocating time for self-care to rejuvenate and recharge my spirit.
What advice would you give to aspiring technology leaders who are just starting their careers?
This answer will be short. The industry must fully grasp and adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI), as it is poised to revolutionize all sectors. Recognizing the advantages, constraints, and integrating AI as a business tool will have the most significant influence in the next five years.
"Self-awareness is paramount."
What has been the biggest challenge you've faced in your career so far, and how did you overcome it?
Self-awareness is paramount. Understanding one's own operating mechanisms is crucial. Assisting others in achieving this self-awareness is both challenging and fulfilling.
Witnessing the spark of realization in someone as they comprehend their identity and potential is immensely gratifying. Subsequently, guiding them to leverage their strengths while acknowledging their weaknesses becomes imperative.
By aiding individuals in recognizing their weaknesses and elucidating how addressing them could yield future benefits, one facilitates their journey towards self-understanding and purpose.
What role do you see emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, blockchain) playing in your industry, and how are you preparing for them?
I wish I could respond with some grand design for my future, however, that isn't the case. Many of the personal goals I have set for myself I have achieved. In the future, I would like to pursue a board position for a company where I may be able to make a difference.
My main focus is on Dynamo Capital. We have a many opportunities ahead of us that if executed correctly, will be very beneficial for our business and our employees.
Promoting better communication, understanding, and tolerance among groups with differing opinions is crucial. While we may not always see eye to eye, taking the time to listen and respect one another's perspectives is essential. We can maintain friendships despite our differences.
Unfortunately, it seems like this concept has been forgotten somewhere along the way. Perhaps fostering dialogue and engaging in empathy-building exercises could help us reconnect and bridge the divide.
What has been your most significant achievement or proudest moment as a technology leader?
In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported me throughout this journey. A special thanks goes to my wife, Katrina, for her unwavering support during the late nights and weekends when I had to be away from our family.
We make a great team, and her willingness to shoulder responsibilities at home has been invaluable. I am deeply appreciative of her support and understanding. Moving forward, I am committed to reciprocating this support and express my gratitude to all who have contributed to my success.
A big thank you to Heath Schwartz from Dynamo Capital for sharing his journey to date.
If you would like to gain more perspective from Tech Leaders and CIOs you can read some of our other interviews here.
