The need for strong technology leadership has never been more critical because of the rapid advances of disruptive AI technologies, especially for mid-market companies navigating growth, turnarounds, or digital transformation. CEOs, C-suite executives, and Private Equity (PE) Technology Operating Partners often face the challenge of securing top-tier technology expertise quickly and flexibly, without the lengthy process and significant investment associated with a traditional executive search.
Fortium Partners offers a solution through its Technology Leadership-as-a-Service® (TLaaS) model, providing immediate access to seasoned technology executives on a fractional or interim basis. These leaders, known as CIO Partners, bring decades of experience to help organizations solve complex technology challenges and align IT strategy with business objectives.
Today, we sit down with Kris Jensen, a Partner CIO at Fortium, to discuss:
Burke Autrey: Kris, welcome. We're excited to have you share your insights. You've had an impressive career, including significant roles leading technology at various companies. What drew you to the fractional technology leadership model and to joining Fortium Partners?
Kris Jensen: Thanks, Burke. My background includes serving as a two-time CIO and executive leadership team member, successfully executing exits with two private equity-backed companies. I've also been a global infrastructure director and worked in management consulting with large and regional firms. What resonates with me about the fractional model is the opportunity to bring this enterprise-level of technology leadership to a variety of organizations that need high-level talent but may not require or cannot afford a full-time hire. It's about providing the same strategic value, just on a flexible basis.
Burke Autrey: Your experience spans rapid growth, turnarounds, and working within private equity-backed structures. How does that broad experience shape your approach when engaging with mid-market and PE-backed companies?
Kris Jensen: Mid-market and PE-backed companies often need digital transformations to scale operations, support M&A activity, and drive value-creation opportunities . My experience is centered on precisely that – architecting technology platforms, processes, and governance to sustain rapid growth and acquisitions. For example, I led digital transformation for a $1B+ real estate portfolio to support over 60 acquisitions. I've guided technology-based transformation for a national PE-backed medical device manufacturer, focusing on global expansion and significant IT cost reduction . At Strive Communities, a rapid-growth PE-backed management company, I built a best-in-class digital platform that supported M&A and scalability, contributing to a successful $800M exit.
This diverse experience, across industries like real estate, film/sound, medical device, construction, manufacturing, retail, and hospitality, means I know what good looks like. I can quickly assess a situation and leverage my combination of business acumen and technical chops to provide strategic direction.
Burke Autrey: That leads perfectly to my next question. What is the core difference between a fractional CIO like yourself and, say, a traditional IT Director or even a virtual CIO provided by a managed service provider (MSP)?
Kris Jensen: That's a crucial distinction. A fractional CIO plays the same executive role as a full-time CIO, sitting in executive and board meetings and providing strategic leadership, just for fewer hours per week. The idea is to provide Enterprise-level technology leadership that a company would have if it had a full-time CIO.
In contrast, an IT Director is often more focused on the day-to-day operations and tactical problem-solving. While essential, they may not have the experience or mandate to think strategically about how technology can drive business outcomes, improve profitability, or enable scale and growth. They might be excellent technically, but lack the ability to translate technical needs into language that resonates with the business owners and the board of directors.
A virtual CIO from an MSP can be valuable for overseeing the client MSP relationship, but they have a vested interest in the MSP they work for. A fractional CIO is focused on the needs of the company and plays a vital role in being a voice with not only the MSP but also all vendor relationships. The other factor here is that they typically aren't as embedded in the organization, don't sit in executive meetings for the most part, and often play a different role than a fractional CIO. As a fractional CIO Partner, I'm deeply integrated, providing the strategic vision and accountability needed at the C-suite level.
Burke Autrey: Can you share an example of a specific challenge you've helped an organization overcome using this approach?
Kris Jensen: Certainly. I came into a construction company situation several years ago where the entire IT team had left after the director was fired. The CFO called me, saying they were in a world of hurt with zero IT staff or leadership. I came in, assessed the immediate needs, and leveraged relationships with an MSP for immediate help desk and support. That was just a Band-Aid, though. Over the next year and a half, we stabilized the data center, implemented key infrastructure like a SAN (Storage Area Network) that had been sitting unused for a year, implemented virtualization, and upgraded their ERP system (Enteprise Resource Planning), which hadn't been touched in years.
This wasn't just about fixing technical issues; it was about transforming an underperforming IT function into a strategic business partner. We boosted ERP user adoption significantly and completed major upgrades much faster than anticipated. It's a prime example of stepping into a turnaround situation and providing the leadership to rebuild and strategically reposition the technology function.
Burke Autrey: Cybersecurity is a major concern today. How important is this area in your work as a fractional CIO, and how do you help executives navigate this complex space?
Kris Jensen: Cybersecurity is absolutely critical. It's overwhelming, and the landscape is constantly changing with new threats and solutions. I recently dealt with a situation where security was severely underbudgeted following due diligence, exposing the company to significant risk, even legally.
A key part of my role is helping executives understand and manage this risk. It's not always about buying the most expensive solution; it's about balancing security needs with cost and determining how much risk the organization can absorb. I work with leadership, including the board, to outline solutions and explain the potential consequences of inaction, such as data breaches, operational disruptions, financial losses, and reputational damage. It's important to stress that everyone owns security, not just IT. My approach involves looking at cybersecurity as a layered solution, like roofing tiles protecting a house. While internal training and automated tools are important, I truly believe that independent oversight from a managed security operations center (SOC) is essential to avoid having the "fox watching the henhouse."
Burke Autrey: This brings us back to the model itself. For a CEO considering hiring a strategic technology leader, why is engaging a Fortium Partner through Technology Leadership-as-a-Service a better option than the traditional executive search process?
Kris Jensen: The comparison between TLaaS (Technology Leadership-as-a-Service) and traditional executive search is stark, especially when urgency and flexibility are needed. An executive search can take 6 to 9 months to find a full-time executive. During that time, the organization may lack critical leadership. With TLaaS, you get immediate access to a pool of vetted, world-class executive leaders, often engaging someone in as little as a few days to two weeks.
Beyond speed, TLaaS minimizes risk. There's no lengthy hiring process, no long-term commitment, no search fees, and no severance costs. The fees are embedded in the monthly cost and remain in effect as long as value is provided. This model is inherently flexible, allowing companies to scale leadership up or down as needs change.
You're getting a seasoned executive, often with over 25 years of experience, adept at addressing complex challenges and driving strategic initiatives. It allows companies to quickly benefit from top-tier expertise without the traditional constraints, especially valuable during digital transformation or rapid market changes. Plus, Fortium Partners operates as a community, meaning you benefit from the collective experience of hundreds of technology leaders, not just one individual .
Burke Autrey: That’s a powerful value proposition. Kris, you drive operational excellence through innovative digital solutions, focusing on disruptive innovation to drive revenue. You're skilled at leveraging cross-functional teams and building highly collaborative relationships. You combine business strategy, technical vision, and the ability to translate complex concepts into actionable insights for business leaders. For CEOs and other C-level leaders reading this, particularly in mid-market companies, why should they consider working with a CIO Partner like you through Fortium?
Kris Jensen: Fundamentally, I help organizations bridge the gap between technology potential and business outcomes. Many companies know they need technology improvements for scale, growth, or turnarounds, but don't know how to translate that into concrete actions. They might have technical people who think tactically but lack strategic vision. I come in to provide that strategic vision and execution, focusing relentlessly on value creation, whether that's enabling growth, reducing costs, or mitigating risk. I build highly cohesive teams and foster collaboration across functions to ensure technology aligns with the overall business strategy, and I'm comfortable in front of the board or working directly with technical teams. My goal is to be the catalyst for driving enterprise change, improving operations, and aligning technology spend to better outcomes that drive business decisions.
Burke Autrey: If a CEO or another C-level leader is interested in exploring how a fractional CIO Partner like yourself could help their organization, what steps should they take?
Kris Jensen: The best way to start is to simply reach out. Visit the Fortium Partners website and explore the resources available. You can contact us directly via our website, phone, or email. We can have an initial discussion to understand your specific needs, whether it's addressing urgent challenges, planning for growth, or navigating a turnaround. Based on your requirements – urgency, duration, experience needed, cost considerations – we can determine if TLaaS (a fractional interim or virtual CIO) is the right fit and introduce you to a Partner with the specific expertise to help you achieve your business objectives.
Burke Autrey: Kris, thank you for your time and for sharing these valuable insights.
Kris Jensen: Thank you, Burke.
As Kris Jensen highlights, the challenges facing mid-market businesses today demand strategic technology leadership. Fortium Partners' TLaaS model offers a powerful, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to traditional executive search, providing immediate access to seasoned executives like Kris. With a proven track record in driving digital transformation, achieving operational excellence, managing risk, and aligning technology with business strategy, CIO Partners like Kris are uniquely equipped to help organizations scale, navigate change, and drive value creation. If your organization needs strategic technology leadership, consider how a Fortium Partner can deliver the experience and results you need, quickly and efficiently.
Actionable Steps for CEOs, C-Level Leaders, and PE Operating Partners:
Identify your specific technology leadership needs: Are you facing rapid growth, a turnaround, an urgent vacancy, or a need for strategic transformation?
Visit the Fortium Partners website: Explore the TLaaS model and learn more about our experienced CIO Partners.
Contact Fortium Partners: Reach out to discuss your needs and explore how a fractional or interim CIO can provide immediate, strategic value.