Technology Archives - Business RadioX ®

Episode 7: Lee Parrish, VP and Chief Information Security Officer with Newell Brands

May 14, 2025 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Episode 7: Lee Parrish, VP and Chief Information Security Officer with Newell Brands

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On this month’s episode of Unscripted Leadership, Comcast Business VP Heather Orrico is joined by Lee Parrish, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer with Newell Brands. Lee is also the CEO and Chief Creative Officer for Novel Security.

Lee discusses how his time serving in the Marines shaped him as a person and drives him, upcoming technology trends, and Atlanta’s role in technology. He also offers advice for aspiring tech leaders.

About Comcast Business

Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market, and has been recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.

Unscripted Leadership is presented by

The Invisible Value of What Never Happens, with Benny Carreon, Velocity Technology Group

April 30, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The Invisible Value of What Never Happens, with Benny Carreon, Velocity Technology Group

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The Invisible Value of What Never Happens, with Benny Carreon, Velocity Technology Group (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 131)

How do you express the value of something that does not occur? That question is one area of focus in this episode of The Price and Value Journey, as host John Ray welcomes Benny Carreon, founder and CEO of Velocity Technology Group. As a global technology consultant, Benny discusses how he explains to clients the value of avoiding cyberattacks and maintaining smooth operations, as well as his use of value-based pricing. The conversation also covers Benny’s journey from the telecom industry to building a global technology consulting firm specializing in managed IT, cybersecurity, and digital transformation with AI. Benny shares insights on the company’s holistic approach to client solutions, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the impact of cybersecurity. They also delve into Benny’s podcast, WFH with Two Guys, co-hosted with Dennis Jackson, and talk about the rapid adoption and future potential of AI in businesses.

The Price and Value Journey is presented by John Ray and produced by North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of the Business RadioX® podcast network.

Benny Carreon, Velocity Technology Group

Benny Carreon is the founder and principal of Velocity Technology Group, a Boulder, Colorado-based company specializing in technology solutions for businesses. Since establishing the company in 2003, Benny has led Velocity through significant growth, expanding its services from telecommunications to a comprehensive suite of technology offerings, including cybersecurity, digital transformation, and IT consulting. His vision centers on helping small and mid-sized businesses leverage innovative technology to improve efficiency and drive sustainable success.

With over 30 years of experience in the technology sector, Benny is known for his practical approach and deep industry knowledge. He is passionate about demystifying complex tech topics for business leaders and guiding organizations through the challenges of digital change. Benny’s expertise is frequently sought after for strategic planning, technology upgrades, and cybersecurity best practices.

In addition to his work at Velocity, Benny co-hosts the podcast “WFH with 2 Guys,” where he and his co-host Dennis Jackson of WorX Solutions discuss workplace trends, artificial intelligence, business strategy, and many other topics with fellow experts. Through both his company and his podcast, Benny Carreon remains dedicated to empowering businesses with the tools and insights they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

LinkedIn | Velocity Technology website

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to The Price and Value Journey and Guest Welcome
01:30 Benny’s Journey with Velocity Technology Group
02:51 Client Relationships and Challenges
07:56 Value-Based Pricing and Client Education
15:05 Cybersecurity Insights and Best Practices
26:03 The Reality of Cybersecurity Threats
27:02 The Emotional Impact of Being Hacked
29:26 Understanding the Value of IT Services
32:35 The Evolution of AI in Business
39:17 Practical AI Applications for Businesses
43:16 The Importance of Incremental Improvements
45:22 The Role of Podcasts in Business
50:20 Conclusion and Contact Information

About The Price and Value Journey Podcast

The Price and Value Journey is a show for expert-service professionals who want more than formulas and quick fixes. If you’re a solo or small-firm provider—consultant, coach, attorney, CPA, or fractional executive—you know the real work of building a practice goes far beyond pricing. It’s about finding clarity, showing up with confidence, and learning how to express the full value of what you do in ways that clients understand and appreciate.

Hosted by John Ray, business advisor and author of The Generosity Mindset, this podcast explores the deeper journey behind running a services business: how you think about your work, how you relate to clients, and how you sustain a business that’s not only profitable but deeply fulfilling. Yes, we talk pricing, but we also talk mindset, business development, trust, empathy, positioning, and all the intangible ingredients that make a practice thrive.

With solo episodes and conversations featuring thoughtful guests, The Price and Value Journey is a companion for professionals who are building something meaningful. Produced in partnership with North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, the podcast is accessible on all major podcast platforms. The complete show archive is here.

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

John Ray, Author of The Generosity Mindset and Host of The Price and Value Journey — John Ray, Author of *The Generosity Mindset* and Host of *The Price and Value Journey*

John Ray is the host of The Price and Value Journey.

John owns Ray Business Advisors, a business advisory practice. John’s services include business coaching and advisory work, as well as advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their pricing. John is passionate about the power of pricing for business owners, as changing pricing is the fastest way to change the profitability of a business. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, consultants, coaches, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

In his other business, John is a podcast show host, strategist, and the owner of North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their podcast using The Generosity Mindset® Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.

John is also the host of North Fulton Business Radio. With over 850 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in its region like no one else.

John’s book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices

John is the #1 national best-selling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

If you are a professional services provider, your goal is to do transformative work for clients you love working with and get paid commensurate with the value you deliver to them. While negative mindsets can inhibit your growth, adopting a different mindset, The Generosity Mindset™, can replace those self-limiting beliefs. The Generosity Mindset enables you to diagnose and communicate the value you deliver to clients and, in turn, more effectively price to receive a portion of that value.

Whether you’re a consultant, coach, marketing or branding professional, business advisor, attorney, CPA, or work in virtually any other professional services discipline, your content and technical expertise are not proprietary. What’s unique, though, is your experience and how you synthesize and deliver your knowledge. What’s special is your demeanor or the way you deal with your best-fit clients. What’s invaluable is how you deliver great value by guiding people through massive changes in their personal lives and in their businesses that bring them to a place they never thought possible.

Your combination of these elements is unique in your industry. There lies your value, but it’s not the value you see. It’s the value your best-fit customers see in you.

If pricing your value feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar to you, this book will teach you why putting a price on the value your clients perceive and identify serves both them and you, and you’ll learn the factors involved in getting your price right.

The book is available at all major physical and online book retailers worldwide. Follow this link for further details.

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Episode 6: Building a City Built for the Future

March 24, 2025 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Episode 6: Building a City Built for the Future

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On this month’s episode of Unscripted Leadership, Comcast Business VP Heather Orrico is joined by Jason Sankey, Chief Information Officer with the City of Atlanta. Jason shares the city’s strategic vision including the importance of digital transformation and “building a city built for the future”. He talks about his personal journey, how to build strong teams, and looks at upcoming trends in technology.

About Comcast Business

Unscripted Leadership is presented by

Episode 5: Greg Hassler, Vice President of Network Technology & Cloud Infrastructure with PGA Tour

February 24, 2025 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Episode 5: Greg Hassler, Vice President of Network Technology & Cloud Infrastructure with PGA Tour

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On this month’s episode of Unscripted Leadership, Comcast Business VP Heather Orrico is joined by Greg Hassler, VP of Network Technology and Cloud Infrastructure with the PGA Tour. Greg shares his journey that brought him to the PGA Tour almost 30 years ago and his philosophy about strong and effective management. He also explains how the PGA Tour has been at the forefront of embracing and building technology that enhances the fan experience.

About Comcast Business

Unscripted Leadership is presented by

Defining Good Jobs EP30

January 9, 2025 by Lee Cuevas

Changing the Perception of Blindness

Defining Good Jobs EP30

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Defining Good Jobs EP30

Explore the evolving definition of a “good job” through the lens of inclusivity and personal fulfillment with Chris LaFollette, President and CEO of Arizona Industries for the Blind.

This episode of “Changing the Perspective of Blindness” with host, David Steinmetz delves into how modern career paths shift from traditional stability to opportunities that embrace individual creativity and satisfaction.

Discover how people who are blind or visually impaired are breaking barriers, redefining workforce norms, and achieving happiness and success in unconventional ways.

Through personal stories and dialogue, we challenge stereotypes and advocate for a more inclusive workforce. Learn how organizations like Arizona Industries for the Blind foster talent, promote vocational training and empower employees to pursue fulfilling career paths that reflect their strengths and interests. Highlighting the importance of self-advocacy, informed choice, and open conversation, we showcase how attitude, training, and technology transform perceptions and create opportunities for all.

Tune in now to hear how inclusion and innovation are shaping the future of work!

Arizona Industries for the Blind is an enterprise nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals who are blind to achieve their highest goals and aspiration through dignified employment while providing quality products and services to all its customers.

Chris LaFollette is the President/CEO of Arizona Industries for the Blind in Phoenix, Arizona. He currently has over twenty-one years working with National Industries for the Blind and a total of 25 years working with Department of Defense.

Chris worked with a NISH (National Industries for the Severely Handicap) organization for many years before he created a company that worked with National Industries for the blind and SourceAmerica organizations to better source commercial products for the federal government.

Chris is a graduate of Fayetteville State University and has spent most of his adult years being an advocate for the disabled and blind communities.

About Your Host

As the manager of Community and Public Relations, David Steinmetz uses his expertise, education, and personal experiences to “change the perception of blindness.”

Diagnosed with RP, a blinding retinal disease, at the age of 19, David uses his personal story to drive change that leads to improved employment outcomes and community integration for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Mr. Steinmetz graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Economics. Additionally, Steinmetz has continued his education by graduating from the Business Management Training (BMT) program provided by Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.

In 2008, David was the national recipient of the National Industries for the Blind Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement award. This prestigious award recognized Mr. Steinmetz for his career achievements and community service work.

David Steinmetz is a member of the Governors’ Council on Blindness & Visual Impairments, is a Board Member at the Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) and serves his community through the Chandler Lions Club.

Connect with David on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About the Show

Changing the Perception of Blindness; One Conversation at a Time is dedicated to breaking down barriers, de-mystifying blindness and promoting real world solutions that empower people who are blind to live a full and inclusive life.

Host, David Steinmetz connects with organizations, industry professionals and thought leaders who are working to bridge the gap that creates a world accessible for all.

About Arizona Industries for the Blind

Arizona Industries for the Blind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. It’s employees, more than half of whom are blind, deliver a variety of products and services, including a full-service Warehousing and Distribution Center, confidential Digital Data Scan (DDS) services for private businesses and government and the operation of Base Supply Centers located at each of Arizona’s three military bases under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Labor’s AbilityOne program.

Follow AIFB on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Episode 4: Tracy Pitcher, Senior Vice President of Comcast Business – Central Division

December 18, 2024 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Episode 4: Tracy Pitcher, Senior Vice President of Comcast Business - Central Division

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On this month’s episode of Unscripted Leadership, Comcast Business VP Heather Orrico is joined by Tracy Pitcher, Senior Vice President of the Central Division of Comcast Business. Tracy delves into how Comcast Business is addressing the needs of businesses of all sizes with a wide array of solutions, including connectivity, unified communication, mobile service, and particularly, security solutions to protect against omnipresent cyber threats. She elaborates on Comcast’s commitment to expanding service offerings and infrastructure, with significant investments in technology to boost network capacity and reliability. The conversation also covers the launch of Comcast Business Mobile, the upcoming enhancements to broadband internet speeds for Atlanta customers, and efforts to tackle the digital divide by extending services to underserved communities and supporting small businesses through the Comcast RISE program.

Tracy Pitcher/Comcast Business

Tracy Pitcher serves as the Senior Vice President of Comcast Business for Comcast’s Central Division, which spans across 12 states. In this role, she is responsible for developing, facilitating and implementing strategies designed to continue growing small, medium and enterprise business relationships. Tracy previously held other executive roles at Comcast, including Senior Vice President of Comcast Business in the Northeast Division, Senior Vice President of the Greater Boston Region and Senior Vice President of Operations. Prior to joining Comcast, she held leadership positions at Charter Communications, AT&T Broadband, Time Warner Cable, and Thomson Consumer Electronics.

About Comcast Business

Unscripted Leadership is presented by

Embracing Disruptive Innovation in Professional Services with Natalie Born, Author, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation

October 2, 2024 by John Ray

Embracing Disruptive Innovation in Professional Services with Natalie Born, Author, Set It on Fire, on The Price and Value Journey podcast with host John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Embracing Disruptive Innovation in Professional Services with Natalie Born, Author, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation

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Embracing Disruptive Innovation in Professional Services with Natalie Born, Author, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 115)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, John Ray hosts Natalie Born, an innovation expert and principal consultant at Arch + Tower, to discuss innovation in professional services and the impact of AI and other disruptive technologies on professional services. Natalie emphasizes the importance of balancing automation with relationship-building, outlining ways organizations can use AI to enhance productivity and client experiences. The conversation delves into strategies for fostering a culture of innovation, establishing governance around AI usage, and ensuring AI augments rather than replaces human capabilities. Natalie also shares insights on maintaining the perception of value and pricing services effectively in an AI-influenced market. Listeners are encouraged to focus on co-creating solutions with clients to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

The Price and Value Journey is presented by John Ray and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Natalie Born, Arch + Tower, and Author, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation

Natalie Born is a member of Frazier & Deeter’s Advisory Practice and a Principal Consultant with Arch + Tower, an FD Company. She specializes in helping businesses develop and implement effective strategies to exceed their goals, grow their topline revenue and achieve award-winning results.

Natalie is the host of a top 25 innovation podcast, Innovation Meets Leadership, that is listened to in over 80 countries. She authored the book, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation. Natalie has collaborated on two approved US patents and has over 20 years of experience leading product development, strategy, and innovation teams working globally in over 18 countries. Natalie has worked with organizations such as CareerBuilder, First Data, IHG, and ADP, leading major initiatives in over 18 countries.

Topics Discussed in this Interview

00:00 Introduction to The Price and Value Journey
00:37 Meet Natalie Born: Innovation Expert
01:59 The Role of Automation in Professional Services
04:02 Historical Perspective on Technology and AI
04:38 AI Adoption Across Industries
09:28 Fostering a Culture of Innovation
17:11 Balancing Technology and Human Touch
22:10 Practical AI Applications in Professional Services
25:41 Amazon’s Daily Upload Limit
26:24 AI’s Impact on Content Perception
27:30 The Hype vs. Heart Debate
28:35 Using AI to Enhance Client Value
29:09 Defining AI Governance in Organizations
30:08 Scaling AI for Organizational Success
33:23 The Importance of Client Feedback
35:44 Measuring and Pricing Value
39:57 The Role of Change Management
42:05 Conclusion

About The Price and Value Journey

The title of this show describes the journey all professional service providers are on: building a services practice by seeking to convince the world of the value we offer, helping clients achieve the outcomes they desire, and trying to do all that at pricing that reflects the value we deliver.

If you feel like you’re working too hard for too little money in your solo or small firm practice, this show is for you. Even if you’re reasonably happy with your practice, you’ll hear ways to improve both your bottom line and the mindset you bring to your business.

The show is hosted and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. The show can also be found on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

John Ray is the host of The Price and Value Journey.

In his other business, John is a Show Host and Producer and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) studio of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their own podcast using The Generosity Mindset™ Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.

John is also the host of North Fulton Business Radio. With over 780 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in its region like no one else.

John’s book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices

John is the #1 national best-selling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

If you are a professional services provider, your goal is to do transformative work for clients you love working with and get paid commensurate with the value you deliver to those clients. While negative mindsets can inhibit your growth, adopting a different mindset, The Generosity Mindset™, can replace those self-limiting beliefs. The Generosity Mindset enables you to diagnose and communicate the value you deliver to clients and, in turn, more effectively price to receive a portion of that value.

The combination of all these elements is quite different for you compared to any other service provider in your industry. Therein lies your value, but it’s not the value you see. It’s the value your best-fit customers see in you.

The book is available at all major physical and online book retailers worldwide. Follow this link for further details.

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Cybersecurity: Its Importance & the Impact of AI E51

July 2, 2024 by Karen

AZ TechCast

Cybersecurity: Its Importance & the Impact of AI E51

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Cybersecurity: Its Importance & the Impact of AI E51

This episode of AZ TechCast explores cybersecurity’s pivotal role and AI’s transformative impact, hosted by Steve Zylstra and Karen Nowicki. Guests Mark Dallmeier, JR Garcia, and Helen Patton emphasize proactive cybersecurity strategies and the dual nature of AI in enhancing threat detection while posing governance challenges. They also discuss AI’s influence on education, stressing ethical guidelines and the need for continuous adaptation in evolving job markets.

Overall, the episode urges organizations to integrate robust cybersecurity measures and embrace AI innovation responsibly across sectors.

MARS is a Huntsville Alabama based technology company and developer of MARS Suite, an integrated suite of modern cyber technologies designed to combat the latest cyber-attacks and preserve businesses’ ability to operate in regulated industries. The company partners with a national network of MSPs, MSSPs, and various Platform and Industry partners to provide security and compliance as-a-service and solutions to organizations operating in heavily regulated industries.

Over the last 27 years Mark Dallmeier has co-founded multiple technology and consulting companies, and has held various Senior Executive, C Level, and Advisory Board positions within cyber, risk, compliance technology and consulting services companies.

He is currently the President and CEO of MARS Suite, Inc. and is responsible for launching their innovative MARS Suite platform into the market. Over the last 15 years Mr. Dallmeier has held SVP and CSO/CMO roles at BishopFox, Vertek, MSS BTA, and Avertium (formerly Terra Verde Security).

Previously Mr. Dallmeier was the CEO of The ROBB Group, an innovative provider of corporate revenue growth and transformation management consulting services to early stage and Fortune 500 companies. During that time, he also co-founded Channel Savvy a technology channel consulting company that was purchased by Avnet in 2010.

Today Mr. Dallmeier actively publishes research, speaks and facilitates workshops and panels on cybersecurity, risk, compliance, and corporate transformation topics.

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

A technology company, Cisco powers an inclusive future for all.

Helen Patton is a strategic cybersecurity advisor at Cisco. Previously she served as a CISO for the Cisco Security Business Group, and an Advisory CISO, providing strategic insights to the security community. She was the CISO at The Ohio State University and spent ten years in risk and resiliency at JPMorganChase.

Helen actively encourages cybersecurity collaboration across and within industries, to enable better information security and privacy practices. She believes in improving diversity and inclusion in the cyber workforce, and mentors people interested in pursuing careers in security, privacy and risk management. She advocates for more naps and is anti-bagpipes.

Helen has a Master’s degree in Public Policy. She serves on various cybersecurity advisory boards, and is faculty for the Educause Leadership Institute, a committee member for the Cybersecurity Canon, and a cyber risk instructor at the Ohio State University. Helen is a blogger and the author of “Navigating the Cybersecurity Career Path”.

Connect with Helen on LinkedIn and X.

One of the fastest-growing IT consultancies in the USA. ANM provides innovative solutions and expert engineering to large and mid-sized organizations. Their dedicated team designs, implements, and supports IT solutions in risk mitigation, enterprise infrastructure and digital transformation.

ANM is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM and has offices in Casper, WY; Denver, CO; El Paso, TX; and Scottsdale, AZ. They enjoy a 98.6% customer satisfaction rating, as well as excellent employee and customer retention rates.

JR Garcia, Director of Solutions Engineering at ANM leads the solutions engineering teams in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, focusing on core network, data center, and security architectures.

His expertise lies in managing technical design, strategy, presales, and resource planning for network and security solutions. JR has received several accolades for his exceptional leadership, including the Excellence in Leadership Award, being recognized as the CRN Next-Gen Solutions Provider Leader in 2022, and part of the President’s Club in 2023.

Follow ANM on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

About Your Hosts

Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.

Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.

Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.

Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.

Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.

In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.

Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.

Leslie Cooper Marquez is a dynamic marketing professional with over 17 years of broad-based marketing, public relations and advertising experience in both in-house and agency environments.

Originally from Birmingham, AL, Leslie has honed her expertise across diverse sectors, including non-profit performing arts, legal marketing, mortgage technology, and residential mortgage marketing.

Leslie has been an integral part of the Arizona community for the past 5 years. Most recently, she served as the Marketing Director for Scottsdale-based mortgage technology firm, focusIT, Inc., and previously as the Director of Marketing for Ballet Arizona.

Beyond her professional commitments, Leslie is an active member of the community. She serves as a Sustainer with the Junior League of Phoenix, volunteers with the Distinguished Young Women of Arizona scholarship program and is an alumna of the esteemed Valley Leadership Accelerate class of 2019.

In her spare time, Leslie shares her passion for fitness as a dedicated barre instructor at TenPoint5 Central. Above all, she cherishes her roles as a devoted mother to a young son and a loving wife to her husband, David.

About Our Sponsor

The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.

A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.

Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Mitigating Cyber Liability and Technology Risk, with Craig Sekowski and Ralph Pasquariello, The Tech Collective

April 15, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Mitigating Cyber Liability and Technology Risk, with Craig Sekowski and Ralph Pasquariello, The Tech Collective

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Mitigating Cyber Liability and Technology Risk, with Craig Sekowski and Ralph Pasquariello, The Tech Collective (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 763)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Craig Sekowski and Ralph Pasquariello of The Tech Collective, a technology risk management and cyber liability consulting firm. Craig, Ralph, and the rest of their colleagues at The Tech Collective leverage over 85 years of combined experience to provide technology-based solutions for solving business problems, focusing on IT security, cyber liability, and breach coaching, among others. The company serves small to large businesses, focusing particularly on those making over $50 million in revenue, across various sectors, including healthcare, legal, and manufacturing. Craig and Ralph discuss the widespread issue of companies being underinsured for cyber liability and how their unique approach, including a four-step process and use of advanced analytics, helps right-size cyber insurance coverages for businesses. They underscore the critical importance of having adequate cybersecurity measures and insurance in place to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity in the event of a cyber event.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Craig Sekowski, Senior Managing Partner, The Tech Collective

Craig Sekowski is a seasoned executive with 25+ years’ experience in IT and FinTech. He leads The Tech Collective, acting as their CEO, optimizing technology and security for major clients.

Craig’s strategic collaboration with corporate CIOs drives innovation, product delivery, and key partnerships with companies like, Enlace Health, Fiserv, Truist, Ethos Labs, TIAA, Home Depot, AT&T, Carrier and British Telecom.

Craig’s results-driven approach makes him a respected leader in IT innovation and strategy.

Ralph Pasquariello, Senior Partner, Cyber Liability Specialist, The Tech Collective

For the past 14 years, Ralph Pasquariello has been moderating and speaking at dozens of conferences and panels on Cyber Liability & Data Breach Risk Management. He has hosted educational seminars on Cyber exposure for professional associations of all industries, including Operational Technology and Intellectual Technology. Ralph’s Cyber Liability expertise has qualified him to present at over 100 events.

Ralph works with the FBI, GBI, and US Secret Service on the Atlanta Cyber Fraud Task Force. He is former Executive Committee Chairman for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Tech400 Board, Cyber Symposium and an advisor to the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Business Radio
01:23 Meet the Tech Collective: Innovators in Technology Solutions
01:35 Exploring the Services and Expertise of the Tech Collective
02:57 The Critical Importance of Cybersecurity and Insurance
05:53 Deep Dive into Cyber Liability and Insurance Insights
11:17 The Tech Collective’s Approach to Cyber Risk Management
25:23 Success Stories and the Impact of Proper Cyber Insurance
30:07 How to Connect with the Tech Collective
30:49 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 750 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

John Ray, Business RadioX - North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.