Large Corporate Finalists

RJ is a versatile business executive and technologist, driven by solving unique challenges and problems. He loves building teams, companies, software (and homes!), and relishes solving problems with technology in innovative and efficient ways. Making visible impact and forward progress fulfills and drives him. Helping organizations, teams and colleagues grow their skills and capabilities is RJ’s highest reward as a teammate and leader.

The team successfully migrated our entire data platform from on-premises to cloud while simultaneously converting from Hadoop to Delta Lake—completed in under a year, on time and on budget, defying industry norms where such transitions typically fail. This success accelerated cloud migration, freeing budget for product investments that boosted customer value and margins. It also sparked a continuous-optimization culture, with teams using tools and creative problem-solving to cut costs through better code, tooling, and automation. The freed capacity fueled innovation, including an agentic development toolkit that analyzes requirements, drafts documentation and code, and runs security scans—accelerating velocity while improving quality.

Bhavani Koneru is Chief Information Officer at Oakland University, where she leads enterprise technology strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data, and AI. With more than 25 years of higher education technology leadership, she is a trusted advisor known for transforming technology into a strategic institutional capability, developing high-performing teams, and advancing innovation, student success, and research. An active mentor and technology community leader, Bhavani champions collaboration, develops emerging leaders, and serves on the Merit Network Board.

My greatest accomplishment has been repositioning technology from a traditional support function into a strategic institutional capability that advances Oakland University’s mission and future. I established a more integrated technology operating model, strengthened enterprise cybersecurity, and built an enterprise data practice that provides trusted information and analytics for decision-making. Building on this foundation, I am planning to expand responsible AI, research computing, and digital capabilities to advance teaching, research, student success, and operational excellence. Equally important, I invested in our people, developing future technology leaders and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement across the university.

Dr. Chris Scott is an IT Sr Executive with over 35 years experience in Fortune 100 companies, Mid-market PE backed companies, as well as small private organizations. Dr Scott is often sought out as an expert in the Cybersecurity field, as well as in the IT Healthcare vertical having supported between 125-400 geographically disperse offices throughout his career. He is known for his servant leadership and strategic skillset in any company setting

My success is in growing this team altogether to be a well-respected and appreciate supporter of the business. It is humbling to hear all of the great words of appreciation. Most times I hear, “If I want something done right, and in expedient fashion, I just call IT” Second success story is growing a Manager to a Vice President within 2.5 years. I see this person as a successor to me as CIO when I depart.

Jeffrey E. Small has served as CIO for the Great Lakes Water Authority since 2016, providing strategic IT leadership, innovation, and cybersecurity. With 30 years’ experience, including roles at Wayne County and global firms, he excels in leveraging technology to improve utility operations. He holds degrees from George Washington University and Baker College, serves on nonprofit tech boards, and was honored as MI-GMIS IT Professional of the Year and a Government Technology Innovation Award winner.

During my ten years as CIO for Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), I have led a collaborative transformation of the IT Group, evolving it from a reactive, “firefighting” function into a proactive, trusted business partner. This shift was achieved through a strong focus on teamwork, strategic planning, and alignment with organizational goals. My leadership philosophy centers on inclusion, shared success, and building meaningful partnerships across the organization. The accomplishments of GLWA’s IT Group reflect a culture built on trust, transparency, and collaboration.