Bradley Enneking, the CIO of Heartland Financial, also known as HTLF, leads with a vision for seamless integration and innovation. HTLF, a $20 billion regional bank spanning 11 states, has grown through the acquisition of 36 banks over the past two decades. Bradley has been instrumental in unifying technology and processes under a single operating structure, driving innovation in IT infrastructure, data governance, and digital transformation. In this episode, Bradley shares his insights on managing large-scale consolidations, the evolving role of AI in banking, and empowering IT teams for success.
Bradley Enneking discusses the monumental task of consolidating 36 acquired banks into a unified operating company under the HTLF brand. He shares how standardizing processes across 11 distinct brands was the most challenging yet rewarding aspect of the transformation. While unifying technology was relatively straightforward, Bradley emphasizes that change management and aligning processes were key to success.
Drawing from his extensive experience, Bradley provides actionable advice on gaining executive buy-in for IT projects. He highlights the importance of focusing on the “why” behind initiatives, using analogies and storytelling to bridge the gap between technical teams and non-technical leadership. His approach fosters collaboration and ensures alignment with business goals, creating a cohesive and motivated team.
On the topic of AI, Bradley offers a pragmatic perspective. He describes HTLF’s exploration of generative AI and machine learning, focusing on practical applications like predictive analytics, data governance, and natural language processing. Bradley advises using the current AI hype cycle to build foundational technologies and warns against seeing AI as a universal solution. Instead, he views AI as a tool to enhance efficiency and decision-making in regulated industries like banking.
Bradley also shares his leadership philosophy, emphasizing empowerment and accountability. By encouraging team members to take ownership of their roles, he fosters innovation and career growth while building a culture of trust and collaboration.
This episode is brought to you by CyberLynx.com
CyberL-Y-N-X.com.
CyberLynx is a complete technology solution provider to ensure your business has the most reliable and professional IT service.
The bottom line is we help protect you from cyber attacks, malware attacks, and the dreaded Dark Web.
Our professional support includes managed IT services, IT help desk services, cybersecurity services, data backup and recovery, and VoIP services. Our reputable and experienced team, quick response time, and hassle-free process ensures that clients are 100% satisfied.
To learn more, visit cyberlynx.com, email us at help@cyberlynx.com, or give us a call at 202-996-6600.