I’ve worked with hundreds of CEOs, CIOs, CISOs, business technology leaders and industry executives over the course of my 35-year career. Through these connections, I’ve seen the traits that constitute great leaders, including courage, vision, boldness, authenticity, inclusion, and effective storytelling.

Today, more than ever, business technology executives need to be able to connect the dots between the potential that digital technologies such as Generative AI bring to bear and how they can drive innovation and grow the business.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege to encounter a lot of fantastic leaders who meet these criteria. Certainly, at or near the top of the list is Tom Peck, EVP, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Sysco. Tom has consistently delivered business value throughout a career that included stops at NBC Universal, MGM Mirage, Levi Strauss & Co., AECOM, Ingram Micro and Sysco where he has been for the past two-and-a-half years. When Tom was recently named as the 2023 MIT Sloan CIO of the Year as a “true leader of business transformation,” I couldn’t have been more happy for him or proud to be associated with such a remarkable man.

In a press release noting Tom’s selection, Dr. George Westerman, Co-Chair of the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium Awards Committee, had this to share: “Mr. Peck distinguished himself by his clear knowledge of the Sysco business – language, measures, strategic priorities – and the way his team is driving strategic improvements throughout Sysco, from supply chain to selling to delivery.”

It’s been an honor and a privilege to know Tom as a friend and as a business leader. We’re also grateful to have Tom as an active member of our Global CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) service. On July 25, Tom will help facilitate our next CELA discussion on Sysco’s “Recipe for Growth’ which relies on the use of AI, separating reality from hype with AI, and why the AI discussion matters in the C-suite.

If you’d like to learn more about the July 25 CELA meeting, email me at hunterm@hmgstrategy.com.