Corporate Finalists

John Brittain serves as Vice President of Information Technology at Biscuitville, where he leads technology strategy across the company's home office, 87 restaurant locations, and distribution center. He joined Biscuitville in 2021 as an IT Director. Prior to Biscuitville, he served as head of IT for the Greensboro Housing Authority and as a Technical Project Manager at AT&T. He holds a degree from UNC Greensboro and is a PCI Certified Internal Security Assessor.

Biscuitville IT does not just support the business. We move it forward. We launched online ordering, a first for the brand, generating over four million dollars in sales in its first eight months while reaching an entirely new customer demographic. Our data warehouse and business intelligence platform gave leadership the insights to make decisions that produced seven-figure savings in its first year. We deployed a 24/7 SOC for network security and achieved a 15% improvement in our overall security score. Above all, we built a team that genuinely enjoys working together, challenges each other to grow, and wants to win.

Ronnie Bryant is concluding his 22nd year with Hornets Sports & Entertainment and his seventh as Chief Information Officer. In this role, he is responsible for all information and broadcast technology infrastructure for the organization, including the Charlotte Hornets, Greensboro Swarm and Spectrum Center. He oversees the implementation, management and support of the organization’s computer hardware and software, networking, internet, telecommunication, broadcast technology and digital technology.

As Chief Information Officer of Hornets Sports & Entertainment, Ronnie Bryant plays a critical role in advancing the organization's vision to be a premier NBA franchise. He led the technology transformation of Spectrum Center, aligning innovation with business strategy to enhance the fan experience, modernize venue operations, strengthen cybersecurity, and support future growth. Under his leadership, initiatives including frictionless retail, digital advertising platforms, data-driven analytics, and intelligent building automation have created new revenue opportunities, improved operational efficiency, and positioned technology as a strategic driver of organizational success,

Albert Manoim is VP of IT at Diamonds Direct, a leader in diamonds and fine jewelry. He leads the company’s entire technology function and sits on the executive leadership team, driving strategy across cybersecurity, data, CRM, and AI. He built the IT organization from the ground up, developing talent from interns into accomplished professionals. With 20 years in technology leadership, Albert is focused on using innovation to elevate the customer experience and grow the business.

When I started our IT department, I built it on a simple belief: hire for potential and invest in people. I began with interns and committed to developing them into professionals, giving them real responsibility, the tools to succeed, and room to grow. The results speak for themselves. One team member who joined as an intern several years ago now leads critical projects for the business. Watching people grow beyond what they imagined is the achievement I’m proudest of. Great technology matters, but building a team that thrives creates lasting value, and it’s what drives me every day.

John Rouda is Executive Vice President of Media & Technology at INSP, where he leads software engineering, media operations, cybersecurity, infrastructure, broadcast engineering, and content distribution. With more than 25 years of technology leadership experience, he specializes in digital transformation, cloud modernization, and building high-performing teams. Rouda is also an adjunct professor at Winthrop University, host of the A Geek Leader podcast, and a frequent speaker on leadership, innovation, and technology.

John Rouda led a transformation of INSP's Media & Technology organization by unifying software engineering, media operations, infrastructure, and broadcast engineering into a collaborative, business-focused team. He spearheaded modernization efforts that moved critical services to hybrid cloud environments, introduced software-defined workflows, strengthened cybersecurity, and advanced the transition toward IP-based content distribution. By breaking down organizational silos and aligning technology with business objectives, his team accelerated innovation, improved operational efficiency, and increased organizational agility. The result is a modern technology organization that delivers reliable services while enabling future growth, scalability, and digital innovation.

Nate Thompson is the Chief Information Officer at Allucent, where he leads the company’s global technology and AI strategy to advance data-driven drug development for biopharma customers. With over 20 years of leadership in life sciences technology, he has driven enterprise-wide digital transformation, real-time data platforms, and AI-enabled systems at organizations including United BioSource, Premier Research, Syneos Health and Kendle International, improving operational efficiency and accelerating clinical development outcomes.

Under my leadership, my team has achieved transformative milestones for Allucent, advancing its impact for small and mid-size biopharma companies. We developed LucentAI, a secure generative AI platform integrating large language models and safeguarding data, delivering efficiency in medical writing, patient recruitment, and more. We also launched Clinical Research Insights, a cloud-based platform providing real-time insights across clinical programs. Additionally, we implemented Data Governance Program to ensure data integrity and empower clients with reliable information. Together, we’ve positioned Allucent as a technology-forward partner, delivering innovation and operational excellence to accelerate life-changing therapies for patients