Name: Tom Gosnell
Title/Employer: CIO, CUNA Mutual Group
Company Focus: CUNA Mutual Group is the leading provider of financial services to credit unions and their members worldwide, offering lending, protection, financial, employee and member solutions through strategic partnerships, technological innovations and multiple service channels.
Age: 47
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from Arizona State University Engineering School. MBA with an emphasis in international business and finance from the University of Pittsburgh, Executive MBA program at the Katz Graduate School of Business.
Tenure In IT industry: 26 years
First Tech Job: I worked in the computer room at Arizona State University. My main role was to help people with their computer projects, distribute print outs, run batch jobs/reports, etc.
Current role: Chief Information Officer for CUNA Mutual Group. I am responsible for leading the CUNA Mutual technology organization to deliver business and technology solutions through partnerships with our customers. Our IT organization totals approximately 550 employees with an additional 300 contractors.
What's been your best job and why?
My role at CUNA Mutual Group has been the best job. My passion is to drive business value and I am in a role in which I am able to be part of driving business strategy to help grow the business. This is also a unique opportunity to have a key role as a leader for the company's overall transformation initiative that is positioning CUNA Mutual Group for the future.
What do you think is the number one non-IT skill IT professionals need today?
In today's business environment, IT professionals need to have business skills and knowledge and a strong understanding of the industry challenges. In addition, it is very important to have good professional behaviors such as creative thinking, a self-starter, the ability to challenge the status quo in the right capacity, have a proactive approach to projects, and be a team player.
What do you credit your career success to?
As I look back on my career, perseverance has been an important part of my success. When I enter a new situation, whether it is a new position or new company, I see the positive results that can be achieved rather than identifying the challenges. I get excited about the potential business value that drives the business. It has also been helpful to my career when I have taken some risks and stepped outside my comfort zone.
What are the top three skills a high-level IT manager needs today?
Passion for the business and how the team can drive business results
Effectively communicating a point of view that can provide perspective for the business
Communicate effectively with all levels of the business from executives on down, in language that they understand and is influential.
What's your favorite IT resource site and why?
Wall Street Journal and Google. WSJ is great to navigate and Google helps me find almost anything.
What is the best career advice you've ever received?
One piece of advice that always stays with me is "Learn how to rise to the challenge when the opportunity presents itself." In order to do this, preparation is the key. Thus, when you are in a situation that you need to "hit the winning run," you are familiar with this situation and can be at peak performance.
What's the top advice you'd give to a new IT staffer?
Engage in smart networking all the time. So many times, I see young IT professionals network with key contacts or try to meet new contacts only when they are in need of help. Networking is a long-term relationship, one that needs to be cultivated on a regular basis. Take advantage of opportunities to develop relationships and meet new people on the upswing, it will be more helpful to you when you need help down the road.
What would you advise someone looking to find the type of role you currently have?
IT leaders must be people who can innovate and drive business results, as well as lead teams to do the same. So it is important to continue to hone and challenge your leadership skills. Specifically, grow skills in educated risk taking, stepping out of the comfort zone, learning to be an influencer within a matrix environment, and of course clear and consistent communication.
What is the one career decision you would change if you could?
I don't have one specific career decision I would change, but earlier in my career, I would have learned how to ask for help. Whether it was a new project or new position, I would have sought out more information, asked more questions, or asked for help to be better prepared.
If you had the choice to jump into any other job, tech or non-tech, what would it be?
I would like to have my next career opportunity to be as a COO role. I would like to leverage my technology and business skills to help drive value in the business. Or, another direction would be to go back to my younger roots and run a golf course.
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