John Cahill serves as the Chief Information Officer at the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), where he oversees the technology operations for a system serving over 346,000 members. With more than 35 years of experience in IT, John has worked across public sector, private industry, healthcare, and nonprofits. At KPERS, he leads a diverse team responsible for infrastructure, application development, database administration, help desk support, and cybersecurity. Known for his people-first leadership and adaptive mindset, John is guiding KPERS through digital transformation and AI adoption while staying grounded in strong ethics, governance, and team collaboration.
John Cahill opens up about what it takes to manage the technology behind a massive public pension fund and the immense responsibility of delivering secure and seamless services to members who depend on monthly benefits. He shares the unique challenges of overseeing systems that handle both sensitive financial data and legislative updates in a hybrid work environment. John's pragmatic approach to cybersecurity is rooted in teamwork, vigilance, and hiring staff who are not only technically sharp but also forward-thinking.
One of the most powerful segments of the conversation is John's candid story about his early leadership missteps. Coming into a CIO role with a forceful desire to fix things quickly backfired—and led to staff alienation. Through deep introspection and facilitated team feedback, John redefined his leadership style with humility, patience, and a stronger sense of emotional intelligence. This journey helped him earn his team’s trust and build a culture of open communication and collaboration.
The discussion also explores how KPERS is cautiously but optimistically exploring artificial intelligence. From developing policies around AI usage to planning automation for member services and call centers, John is committed to ensuring responsible governance. He emphasizes the importance of training, transparency, and understanding employee motivations—especially in government roles where financial compensation may not be the primary driver.
Matthew Connor on LinkedIn
CyberLynx
John Cahill on LinkedIn
Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Website
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.