<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;#220: From Admin to Youngest CIO — How Curiosity &amp; Collaboration Built Two Public-Sector Leaders&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Featuring:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-early-134220113/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Erica Early&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, Chief Information Officer, Washington State Office of the State Treasurer&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-faison-73712b7a/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lisa Faison&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, Chief Information Officer, City of Goodyear, Arizona&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Episode Highlights:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What if the fastest route to becoming a CIO wasn’t a degree or a title — but saying &lt;em&gt;yes&lt;/em&gt; to the “one more project” everyone else avoided?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, two women reveal how curiosity and collaboration turned overtime testing gigs into executive leadership — and what it really takes to modernize 40-year systems, lead six generations of staff, and build careers that outlast every technology trend.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Timestamps&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&amp;#38;t=120s"&gt;02:00&lt;/a&gt;) Overtime testing that launched a CIO career &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&amp;#38;t=300s"&gt;05:00&lt;/a&gt;) “Don’t tell me your problems” — building trust through business empathy &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&amp;#38;t=660s"&gt;11:00&lt;/a&gt;) Six generations, zero left behind — protecting institutional knowledge &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&amp;#38;t=960s"&gt;16:00&lt;/a&gt;) From low response to 78% engagement — redefining IT as a strategic partner &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&amp;#38;t=1320s"&gt;22:00&lt;/a&gt;) Mom &amp; Pop to Strategic Partner — Goodyear’s IT transformation &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&amp;#38;t=1440s"&gt;24:00&lt;/a&gt;) The 17-year-old intern reviving legacy teams &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&amp;#38;t=1740s"&gt;29:00&lt;/a&gt;) Slowing down to speed up — the 40-year system replacement story &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&amp;#38;t=1860s"&gt;31:00&lt;/a&gt;) Be someone people want to work with — final career advice&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Connect&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/**"&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🐦 Connect on Twitter: &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/thejoetoste**"&gt;https://x.com/thejoetoste&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/**"&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@techtables**"&gt;https://www.youtube.com/@techtables&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: &lt;/strong&gt;Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Join now: &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.techtables.com/"&gt;https://www.techtables.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: &lt;/strong&gt;The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: &lt;/strong&gt;a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at &lt;a target="_blank" href="mailto:joe@techtables.com"&gt;joe@techtables.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Brought to you by:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://assets.sentinelone.com/ghe/sentinelone-empowers"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SentinelOne&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Verizon Frontline&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/"&gt;—&lt;/a&gt;The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.carahsoft.com/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Carahsoft&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit &lt;a href="https://techtables.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&amp;#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1"&gt;techtables.substack.com&lt;/a&gt;</description>

The Public Sector Show by TechTables

Joe Toste

#220: From Admin to Youngest CIO — How Curiosity & Collaboration Built Two Public-Sector Leaders

OCT 10, 202535 MIN
The Public Sector Show by TechTables

#220: From Admin to Youngest CIO — How Curiosity & Collaboration Built Two Public-Sector Leaders

OCT 10, 202535 MIN

Description

<p><strong>#220: From Admin to Youngest CIO — How Curiosity & Collaboration Built Two Public-Sector Leaders</strong></p><p><strong>Featuring:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-early-134220113/"><strong>Erica Early</strong></a>, Chief Information Officer, Washington State Office of the State Treasurer</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-faison-73712b7a/"><strong>Lisa Faison</strong></a>, Chief Information Officer, City of Goodyear, Arizona</p><p><strong>Episode Highlights:</strong></p><p>What if the fastest route to becoming a CIO wasn’t a degree or a title — but saying <em>yes</em> to the “one more project” everyone else avoided?</p><p>In this episode, two women reveal how curiosity and collaboration turned overtime testing gigs into executive leadership — and what it really takes to modernize 40-year systems, lead six generations of staff, and build careers that outlast every technology trend.</p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&#38;t=120s">02:00</a>) Overtime testing that launched a CIO career </p><p>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&#38;t=300s">05:00</a>) “Don’t tell me your problems” — building trust through business empathy </p><p>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&#38;t=660s">11:00</a>) Six generations, zero left behind — protecting institutional knowledge </p><p>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&#38;t=960s">16:00</a>) From low response to 78% engagement — redefining IT as a strategic partner </p><p>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&#38;t=1320s">22:00</a>) Mom & Pop to Strategic Partner — Goodyear’s IT transformation </p><p>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&#38;t=1440s">24:00</a>) The 17-year-old intern reviving legacy teams </p><p>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&#38;t=1740s">29:00</a>) Slowing down to speed up — the 40-year system replacement story </p><p>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwtPVNGL9ok&#38;t=1860s">31:00</a>) Be someone people want to work with — final career advice</p><p><strong>Connect</strong></p><p>🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/**">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/</a></p><p>🐦 Connect on Twitter: <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/thejoetoste**">https://x.com/thejoetoste</a></p><p>🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/**">https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/</a></p><p>📽️ Subscribe here: ‪ <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@techtables**">https://www.youtube.com/@techtables</a></p><p><strong>Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:</strong></p><p><strong>1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: </strong>Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.</p><p>Join now: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.techtables.com/">https://www.techtables.com/</a></p><p><strong>2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: </strong>The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.</p><p>CXOs Only Join Now: The Collaboratory: https://www.techtables.com/collaboratory</p><p><strong>3. 🤝 The Better Together Series: </strong>a virtual podcast series where TechTables partners with leading CXOs and vendor partners for candid conversations that showcase real-world solutions, spark innovation, and drive industry action. Email me at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p><p><strong>Brought to you by:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://assets.sentinelone.com/ghe/sentinelone-empowers"><strong>SentinelOne</strong></a>—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/"><strong>Verizon Frontline</strong></a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/">—</a>The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.carahsoft.com/"><strong>Carahsoft</strong></a>—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://techtables.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">techtables.substack.com</a>