Parag Pujari

CIO at Jurgensen Companies

Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself

I am based out of Cincinnati, Ohio and I am currently the CIO. Prior to joining Jurgensen Companies a little over a year ago, I was at Speedway, CNO Financial Group in senior leadership roles. I was consulting for 11 years prior to joining CNO Financial Group.

What has your journey to your position been like? What path have you taken?

My journey started as soon as I completed my Bachelor’s degree, after working as a developer for a manufacturing company for a year back in India, I decided to pursue my Master’s degree. After graduating, I continued to work as a developer in the consulting world and climbed up the ladder into a management role. I later joined CNO Financial Group after many years of travelling and I had multiple roles over the years at CNO Financial Group, this helped me grow and expand my knowledge in multiple areas be in technology or business. After over 5 years at CNO Financial Group I took a senior leadership role at Speedway which was a part of Marathon Petroleum Company, I was at Speedway just over two years when I was approached about my current role. Overall it took me close to 20 years to get to where I am and I would not change anything that came along the way. I had to deal with a lot of ups and downs, making mistakes along the way which helped me grow even more. 

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?

Yes, my vision was always to be a tech leader.

Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey?

No, I never had a role model. I always followed people like Gary Vaynerchuk, Warren Buffett, Mark Cuban, Satya Nadela and Indira Nooyi.

How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?

Based on current trends and technological advancements, the role of technology leaders is likely to continue evolving.

Below are some potential ways in which the role of technology leaders may evolve:

1. Increased focus on innovation: Technology leaders will need to constantly innovate and come up with new ideas to stay ahead of the competition. This may involve exploring emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, Digital Twin, Digital Human, Digital Thread, IoT, Cloud Sustainability and more. Finding ways to incorporate them into their company’s offerings.

2. Greater emphasis on cybersecurity: With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and frequent, we as technology leaders will need to prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect company assets and data.

3. Greater collaboration with other departments: We, as technology leaders, will need to work closely with other departments like marketing, sales, HR and finance to ensure that technology is being used effectively to meet business objectives.

4. Embracing a more diverse workforce: Technology leaders will need to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace to attract and retain talent from different backgrounds and perspectives. Along with providing flexibility to our workforce.

5. Balancing automation and human interaction: Technology leaders will need to strike a balance between automating processes and maintaining a human touch, particularly in customer-facing roles.

What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?

1. Adaptability and Flexibility: Future leaders will need to be able to adapt to rapidly changing environments and respond effectively to new challenges.

2. Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as those of others, will be critical for future leaders.

3. Creativity and Innovation: With the pace of technological change, leaders who can think outside the box and innovate will be more likely to succeed.

4. Communication Skills: The ability to communicate effectively across different mediums and cultures will be essential for future leaders.

5. Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze information, evaluate evidence, and make informed decisions will be more important than ever in the future.

6. Collaboration and Teamwork: Future leaders will need to be able to work effectively with diverse teams and individuals to achieve shared goals.

7. Cultural Competence: As the world becomes more interconnected, leaders will need to be able to navigate different cultures and work effectively in a global context.

8. Resilience and Grit: The ability to persevere in the face of challenges and setbacks will be a critical skill for future leaders.

9. Lifelong Learning: With the pace of change and innovation, future leaders will need to be committed to continuous learning and development throughout their careers.

How do you keep current with new skills, technologies and personal development?

1. Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences related to your field.

2. Take online courses and enroll in training programs.

3. Read industry-related publications, blogs, and books.

4. Join professional organizations or online communities.

5. Network with colleagues and industry experts.

6. Participate in mentoring or coaching programs.

7. Seek feedback and constructive criticism to identify areas for improvement.

8. Experiment and practice new skills and technologies in a safe environment.

9. Attend meetups or hackathons to learn and collaborate with others.

10. Embrace lifelong learning as a mindset and commit to continuous self-improvement.

What do you see as the next leap in technology that will impact your business or industry in particular?

Digital Twin is something I feel what will have a positive impact on our industry. A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object or system, created using real-time data and advanced algorithms. It allows for analysis, simulation, and prediction of performance, behavior, and maintenance needs, enabling better decision-making and optimization. Digital twins are used in various industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety. They are expected to become more prevalent as technology advances and their applications expand.

“Leadership is not just about being in charge, it’s about inspiring and motivating others to achieve a common goal.”

If you were mentoring a leader of the future, what advice or guidance would you give to help them on their way?

1. Have your foot on the ground and be connected to reality. I have seen many leaders when they go up the ladder lose connection to reality.

2. Lead by example.

3. Communicate effectively.

4. Empower your team.

5. Foster a positive workplace.

6. Continuously learn and improve.

Leadership is not just about being in charge. It’s about inspiring and motivating others to achieve a common goal.

Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?

I have nothing set in mind at this point as I would like to focus on effectively leading my current organization through a major transformation.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

Nothing, I would change nothing. Everything happens for a reason.

A big thank you to Parag Pujari from Jurgensen Companies for sharing his journey to date.