Profile: Doug Wenger

Meet Doug Wenger. Executive in Residence, GCP Tech.

Name: Doug Wenger

Job: Executive in Residence, GCP Tech

City: Cleveland

Hometown: Battle Creek, MI

Q: What is it that you do at GCP Tech? 
As part of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, I lead GCP Tech, which is focused on supporting the growth of the tech sector in our region. To deliver on this mission, we provide technology related programs and services for our GCP Tech members as well as the broader tech community. These include events, networking, referrals, managing tech affinity groups and many others. We lead and provide programs as well as providing support or promotion for a number of programs led by others.

Q: What’s a problem that you are working to solve? 
GCP Tech is focused on helping technology organizations build and grow – driving improved economic outcomes. This also includes supporting initiatives to attract new technology investments, promoting our region for tech careers and also helping the enterprise IT organizations within our companies and organizations deliver and support technology in the most effective manner possible.

Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned that has helped shaped your work? 
I was formerly a Chief Information Officer at a global manufacturing company in our region. In that role, I experienced first-hand the difficulty today’s CIOs have in learning about local tech organizations who may be able to help solve their business problems and support their organization’s growth. I want to bring to this role a process to help those providers and enterprise IT organizations efficiently meet each other and drive more opportunities for our local technology providers.  

Our region has many technology providers that have the capability and scale to address the needs of our smallest to largest enterprises. For example, we have technology organizations right here in our region who are trusted by and deliver solutions to such iconic organizations as Ben & Jerry’s, the Super Bowl, Formula 1 Racing, Proctor & Gamble and many others. I want to help them become known and have more opportunities to be considered as providers to our local organizations who buy and utilize IT products and services. It doesn’t happen very well through e-mail and telephone calls.

Q: What’s a trend in technology or innovation that you believe doesn’t get enough attention? 
There is always something new and hot that requires technical skills and know-how. That’s very important and will continue to be so. I also believe as tech leaders we sometimes overlook the non-technical competencies that can help amplify results and ensure that technologies and processes are combined to deliver more value.  

There are so many potential competencies to focus on – but I see a number of them as very important: These include team building, process reengineering, financial acumen, influence, listening, negotiation, written communication and creative thinking. I believe our technology leaders should invest in strengthening one or more of these competencies within their teams. This can make the difference between a good and great employee and the value of the contributions they make to the organization. 

Q: What’s one moonshot idea that could help make Ohio a world leader in technology and innovation? 
I’m not sure they are moonshot or not, but I have two:

First, I believe we need to build stronger awareness of the social, intellectual and economic benefits of tech careers starting in middle school with students, educators, families and others in their lives. I feel the awareness of opportunities for a portable and future-proof career remain a mystery to many. Very few careers offer the opportunity to start with a well-paying job that can be applied in multiple industries with a relatively modest amount of education – including a plethora of technical boot-camp and training programs.

I’ve always thought how impactful it would be to drop a new car and a the keys to a house or apartment in the middle of a junior high or high school gymnasium - in front of students and families - and have recent graduates explain in real-word terms their journey and how life-changing a career in tech can be. With a modest amount motivation, financial discipline and a tech job, a car and/or a home or apartment will quickly be within the reach of those entering the tech profession. It could be a game-changer for many. The simple image might remain in the minds of those attending. I’ve seen a number of delivery and training systems and programs, including Higher Ed degree programs, Per Sholas, Dev10, Tech Elevator and others that I believe can help a motivated individual secure a good job.

Secondly, I feel as a region and as a state we have a great portfolio of well-known and respected organizations that one could use to attract talent and innovation to our state. It seems to me that as a college student or professional in the tech sector in a larger metro area, I may not know that in NEO or even within the state of Ohio, I have multiple great opportunities at some of the most widely recognized organizations in the world.
 
I’ve grown to know our CIO network in the region and others throughout the state. These leaders are excellent. Perhaps a billboard on an interstate in a high cost of living area of the country with the corporate logos and photographs of these leaders, telling those millions of drivers every day “We are here, it’s less expensive, and you can come here and stay here for your whole career”.  

I believe we can offer our professionals a lifetime of career opportunities within our region and within our state. I am aware there are some back-end logistics to execute such a program but it seems to me to be a simple, grass-roots message that could have impact. With more tech talent coming here, I believe it could have an additional influence on investment and innovation.

Q: What’s a recent book, podcast or news story that you found interesting? 
It’s actually an older book from my personal library. It’s called “Thinkertoys”. It’s a handbook on creative thinking. In light of our current events and significant changes in our business and social situation, I’ve pulled it back off the shelf to help me think about new ways of doing things in my personal and professional life.  

This was a book I’ve referred to a number of times in my career, starting with a 3-year assignment I had at Kellogg within their global Research, Quality and Nutrition organization. It’s sometimes difficult to step back and think out of the box, and this handbook helps you do just that! 

Q: What's your favorite place in Ohio? 
I am a competitive tennis player and I enjoy watching the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati. Locally, I enjoy a weekend afternoon in late summer biking the Towpath Trail and stopping at Szalay’s farm market for corn on the cob, music and a taste of Americana.  

Our National Park and the many hiking and biking trails are a treasure. I also very much enjoy a hot muggy evening or weekend day at one of our many great tennis facilities, playing a competitive tennis match and losing a few pounds at the same time.

Q: What makes Ohio special to you?  
The variety and diversity of its geography – from the rolling hills in the east and southeast to the heartland farms and pastures to its major cities and urban areas. It’s quite a variety.  

It’s also the home to one of the most famous people who ever lived – Neil Armstrong.  Being a child growing up during the early days of the space program, I admired him. I moved to Ohio 20 years ago so there are still many places to explore.

Say hi to Doug on LinkedIn.