People

Joe Cannella has spent his entire career in Information Systems working with medium-sized manufacturers across many industries. He is an experienced IS executive with extensive experience leading people, setting vision, and managing large projects and budgets. Joe is known for developing results-oriented teams and creating and executing an IT vision that addresses business needs. He possesses a broad and deep expertise in manufacturing systems and processes. He was recognized by his peers as a Finalist in the 2019 Chicago ORBIE CIO of the Year, and nominated for Chicago CIO of the Year in 2016, 2018, and 2019 by The Executives’ Club of Chicago, AITP, and SIM.

In 2005 he was hired by Tempel Steel Company to lead their world-wide Oracle EBS implementation. In 2009, he was promoted to lead IS world-wide where he is currently the Chief Information Officer managing a team of 20 employees and 14 service providers. Tempel is a privately held global company founded in 1945 in Chicago with 2100 employees and is one of the world’s leading independent manufacturers of magnetic laminations used for motors, generators, pumps, transformers, and other electrically powered applications.

Prior to Tempel, Joe spent twenty years in a consulting firm that specialized in systems and operations improvement for mid-sized manufacturers. He started as a systems programmer and designer, advanced to project manager, became a partner, and eventually led the firm as president.

Joe has taught Materials Management, Supply Chain Management, Lean Manufacturing, and Information Technology classes at the college level and for many companies. He has published articles on Systems Planning and Implementation, ERP Optimization, and Advanced Systems Technologies for Manufacturers; and has been a frequent speaker APICS, IMA, CAMP IT, TEPEE, SIM, and as an independent expert for many software vendors.

He believes that honesty, integrity, continuing education, and mentoring are key in building professional and personal relationships. He is a member of the SIM, TEPEE, and GSN, and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and Business Management from Northeastern Illinois University, and is Certified in Production and Inventory Control (CPIM) by the American Production and Control Society (APICS).