Hoosier IT leaders encouraged to help drive digital innovation across the state 

TechPoint, the nonprofit, industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s technology companies and overall tech ecosystem, has taken over management of a networking organization. For more than 10 years, this group has helped Hoosier tech executives learn, collaborate and lead tech innovation in companies across central Indiana.   

Launched by author, speaker and IT leader Jeff Ton as the Indy CIO Network, the networking group catered to Chief Information Officers (CIO) in Central Indiana and grew from a 2011 lunch gathering with a handful colleagues. 

“We ‘talked shop’ and exchanged ideas at that first meeting about how to approach various workplace information technology challenges, and it was so valuable that we decided we needed to meet every month and later added dinner events to keep each other up on the latest issues and trends,” Ton said. “It’s only become a more valuable resource. I’m gratified that TechPoint sees the value in it and will take it to the next level.” 

TechPoint President and CEO Ting Gootee said Ton and other founding members have laid a great framework but it’s time to take the conversation statewide. 

“Indiana is really at an inflection point,” she said. “We have a great opportunity to drive digital innovation at a speed and level never before available, and expanding the conversations and opportunities of the Indiana CIO Network will be key to accomplishing our vision of moving the state forward fast across all sectors and from every corner.” 

The TechPoint-led Indiana CIO Network is open to current and former CIOs, current senior Information Technology (IT) leaders and CIOs or senior IT leaders in job transition. Meetings will occur the second Wednesday of each month for breakfast. Additionally, TechPoint will curate and distribute a monthly newsletter with details about upcoming events and relevant content for the discerning senior tech leader.  

Ton will continue to be involved in the Indiana CIO Network and will help facilitate meetings. 

Participation in the monthly breakfasts is free for CIOs and senior IT leaders at TechPoint member companies and $25 for others. TechPoint plans to offer about six vendor supported dinner events throughout the year. Those networking opportunities will be free to participants. They will include cocktails, dinner, and a presentation focused on educating attendees about emerging or essential technology. 

To be considered for the Indiana CIO Network, apply here.