Annual Tech Conference 2026

Think Big, Think Small, Think Future!

 

 

KEYNOTE BIO:
Chad Steighner, Chief Digital Information Officer – Clarios

In his role he serves as CDIO accountable for advanced manufacturing engineering, IT operations, cybersecurity,
enabling growth via technology and being a digital catalyst for the enterprise. Chad directs investments executed via
290+ internal employees located around the world along with support of contract staff and managed service firms.
Starting in 2018 Chad led the strategy and execution of a 30-month carve out from Johnson Controls completing ahead of
schedule in July 2021. Since then, he has focused on formulating, then leading transformation in the areas of customer
experience, proper application of AI and the future of manufacturing. In 2024 Chad led a dark factory strategy effort
which encompassed a 30-company global benchmarking effort to study and recommend a new model for battery
manufacturing reducing reliance on labor by more than 67%.

Chad has more than 25 years of experience designing, building and deploying systems around the world in process and
discrete manufacturing environments. Seventeen of those years have been in the Clarios organization.

Prior to his career in IT Chad managed the systems group for a private engineering firm where he designed and deployed
industrial automation, batching and traceability solutions worldwide for clients such as Cargill, Agribrands Purina and
Mars Pet Food. Chad also has engineering experiences from Kimberly-Clark Corporation and IBM.

 

 

Shuchi Wadhwa, Global Cybersecurity Strategy Lead, Schreiber Foods

Shuchi is a technology and cybersecurity strategy leader who believes the greatest impact of technology is realized when vision, trust, and execution come together. A former CIO and currently a Global Cybersecurity Strategy Lead, she works at the intersection of business, technology, and risk helping organizations modernize, strengthen resilience, and navigate complexity with confidence. Known for her ability to translate big ideas into meaningful action and bring people along through change, Shuchi brings a forward‑looking perspective on how today’s leaders can build secure, adaptable, and future‑ready organizations.

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey Kurek is the Senior Vice President of IT and Cyber Security at Park Bank, a
private community institution serving Dane County. He brings nearly twenty years of
technology experience to the role, the last twelve at Park Bank, where he sits on the
executive team, oversees IT, cyber security, enterprise risk management, business
continuity, and information security.
Before joining Park Bank, Jeff built his foundation in infrastructure and cyber security
across government and retail environments, experience that continues to shape how he
leads today.
When he is not at work, Jeff makes the most of Wisconsin’s four seasons with his wife,
kids, and dog. Depending on the time of year, you will find him on the golf course, out
on the water, in the field with his dog, or cheering on a local team.

 

 

Abhinay Pachhapur, Director, Utility Operations & OT Applications | Alliant Energy

Abhinay Pachhapur is a strategic technology executive transforming the critical intersection of IT and Operations Technology (OT) to architect the future-ready grid. Currently leading Utility Operations and OT Applications at Alliant Energy, Abhinay directs complex modernization initiatives—including AMI 2.0 strategy, ADMS, EWAM, and GIS Utility Network architecture—to balance aggressive load growth with Net-Zero sustainability goals.

A veteran leader with over 18 years of experience, Abhinay previously spent over a decade at GE Healthcare, where he directed a 200+ person global engineering organization and managed a $60M operating budget to deliver high-stakes digital solutions and cyber resilience platforming. He synthesizes this global executive experience with elite training from the UC Berkeley Chief Technology Officer (CTO) program and Northwestern Kellogg (AI Applications for Growth), positioning him as a dual-threat leader capable of orchestrating both the “engine room” of the grid and corporate technology strategy.

 

Jason Schultz, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Jason Schultz is an innovator, change agent, chaos pilot, technology enthusiast, and servant leader who is passionate about pursuing innovation as he believes you cannot to today’s job with yesterday’s methods and be in business tomorrow.

Jason currently serves as the Chief Innovation & Technology Officer for a national, AMLAW200 law firm called Michael Best. Michael Best is a 177-year-old full-service law firm with an attached business consultancy serving a wide range of clients from start-ups to global Fortune 500 companies in almost every industry.

In his role, Jason has oversight over Cybersecurity Operations, IT Operations, and all Innovation & Change Management Initiatives across the firm.

Jason also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Hoan Group, Forward 48, and the Wisconsin Technology Association.

 

 

Cody Florek,  Director of Information Security Operations, Sentry

Cody Florek is the Director of Information Security Operations, where he leads a multi-functional organization dedicated to maturing internal security capabilities and architectural resilience. Overseeing four distinct functional teams—including Application Security, Identity and Access Management (IAM), Security Engineering, and a comprehensive Security Operations Center (SOC)—Cody specializes in transitioning organizations from legacy service models to proactive, high-performing internal operations.

A strategic leader managing a diverse portfolio of systems, Cody is a strong proponent of leveraging Artificial Intelligence to accelerate operational effectiveness. He focuses on integrating AI-driven tools to optimize security data pipelines and response times, while simultaneously developing strategies to mitigate the emerging risks and threats unique to the AI era. By balancing high-level security program forecasting with a “Think Small” focus on operational detail, he ensures that his teams can innovate safely at the pace of modern technology.

Cody’s leadership philosophy is built on creating an environment where technical excellence and team empowerment coexist. He brings a grounded perspective on navigating large-scale infrastructure migrations, implementing responsible AI adoption, and maintaining a culture of sustainable growth and work-life balance within high-stakes security environments.