Forté Appoints First CIO Amid Expansion, Signals Tech Investment
Event summary
- Josh Braun has been promoted to Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Forté, effective immediately.
- This marks the first CIO role established at Forté, formerly AVI Systems.
- Braun previously held the roles of Director of IT (2016) and Vice President of IT (2019) at Forté.
- Forté operates in 42 U.S. locations and four European countries.
- Braun previously led global IT operations at Digital River for 17 years.
The big picture
The creation of a dedicated CIO role signals a strategic shift for Forté, moving beyond AVI Systems' legacy and prioritizing technology as a driver of growth and expansion. This investment reflects a broader trend among service providers to leverage technology for scalability and resilience, particularly as they navigate increasingly complex global operations and heightened cybersecurity threats. The appointment of Braun, with his experience at Digital River, suggests a focus on eCommerce-adjacent technologies and operational efficiency.
What we're watching
- Integration Risk
- Braun’s experience integrating IT across multiple locations and international operations will be critical; the success of this integration will directly impact Forté’s ability to scale efficiently.
- Security Focus
- Given the stated emphasis on security, the effectiveness of Braun’s leadership in bolstering Forté’s cybersecurity posture will be a key indicator of the company’s risk management capabilities.
- Tech Alignment
- The degree to which Braun’s technology strategy aligns with and accelerates Forté’s broader business initiatives will determine the ROI of this newly created role.
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