Join Us Online
February 26, 2021
7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Meet the 2021 ORBIE Winners!
The CIO of the Year ORBIE Award recognizes CIOs who have shown excellence in technology leadership in North Texas. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!
2021 Awards Season
CIO of the Year nominees & finalists are honored at a series of executive events, beginning with the Nominee Event and ending with the CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards.
2021 Keynote
Tom Nealon, President, Southwest Airlines
Tom Nealon, President of Southwest Airlines, returned to Southwest Airlines in 2016 as Executive Vice President Strategy & Innovation before assuming the role of President in 2017. He previously served as a Director on the Southwest Board from 2010 to 2015, and as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer from 2002 to 2006. As President, Tom is responsible for the Commercial (including Revenue, Network, Corporate Sales and Customer Relations/Rapid Rewards), Finance, Technology, Marketing, and Internal Audit Departments.
Sponsorship
Dallas CIO of the Year Awards sponsors are highly valued partners invited by local CIOs to experience the unique opportunity of recognizing the senior technology leadership of top organizations in North Texas through a series of year-long events.
2021 Dallas CIO of the Year Awards Agenda
| 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. | Pre-Event Networking |
| 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. | VIP Reception* |
| 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | CIO of the Year® Awards |
| 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Post-Reception |
*Access limited to CIOs and select sponsor representatives.
**Access limited to CIOs, their direct reports, and select sponsor representatives.
Leadership Award Recipient
Zack Hicks, EVP & CDO (Toyota Motor North America) and CEO & President (Toyota Connected North America), Toyota
Zack Hicks is executive vice president and chief digital officer at Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). He also is chief executive officer and president of Toyota Connected North America. Additionally, he has a global role leading information security management for Toyota Motor Corporation and serves as senior general manager for its in-house Connected Company. As Toyota’s first chief digital officer, Hicks leads Toyota’s newly created Digital Transformation & Mobility unit, leading shared mobility, connectivity services, over-the-air upgrades and future business opportunities. This new role is designed to define and accelerate Toyota’s mobility efforts including vehicle connectivity, electrification and autonomous driving technologies in coordination with other company business divisions.
