The Digital Executive

• Driving Business Value with Cloud and AI: Jim Spignardo on Strategy, Governance, and Adoption | Ep 1116

  In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Jim Spignardo, Director of Cloud Strategy and AI Enablement at ProArch. With over 25 years of IT experience across network engineering, cybersecurity, and consulting, Jim shares how he helps organizations cut through the hype to achieve measurable ROI from cloud and AI initiatives.Jim outlines the importance of starting with business outcomes, building resilient and well-governed cloud foundations, and avoiding the trap of “lift and shift” migrations. He also dives into ProArch’s AI adoption playbook, highlighting secure foundations, early wins, champion networks, and measurable use cases like their Microsoft Funding Finder agent, which drives efficiency and revenue.Looking ahead, Jim discusses the rise of enterprise-wide AI agents, AI-enabled security operations, and the critical role of data governance. He emphasizes that transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, culture, and building confidence through structure, governance councils, and clear policies.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Resilience, Values, and Vision: Alykhan Jetha on Empowering Entrepreneurs with Daylite | Ep 1115

  In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Alykhan Jetha (AJ), President and CEO of Daylite, an award-winning Mac CRM designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs. AJ shares how his early life experiences—moving from the Congo to Toronto under hardship and losing his father—shaped his resilience, problem-solving mindset, and approach to entrepreneurship. With over two decades of leading a bootstrapped software company, AJ reflects on the evolving values that sustain culture in a growing team, from ownership and innovation to empathy and teamwork. He also discusses the rapid pace of technological change, the thoughtful integration of AI, and his mission to equip entrepreneurs worldwide with tools that help them stay on track, adapt, and grow sustainably.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review. Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Restructuring Water to Destroy PFAS: Gene Dedick on Building Healthier Futures | Ep 1114

  In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Gene Dedick, Chief Science Officer of H2Plus, who brings more than 35 years of expertise in water research, industrial chemistry, and advanced treatment technologies. Gene shares the remarkable story behind his team’s breakthrough discovery: using hydrated electrons to permanently destroy PFAS—so-called “forever chemicals”—rather than simply capturing or containing them.He explains in clear terms how disrupting hydrogen bonds in water unleashes powerful hydrated electrons, capable of breaking the stubborn carbon-fluorine bonds that make PFAS so dangerous. With H2Plus’s patented process, Gene highlights how this technology achieves high destruction rates, cuts costs in half compared to competing methods, and produces no harmful byproducts.Looking ahead, Gene explores how these innovations could reshape global water treatment—addressing not only PFAS but also pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors that increasingly contaminate drinking water. He also shares groundbreaking research showing the health benefits of H2Plus-treated water, including enhanced cellular energy and performance in independent university studies.With a mission to make water safer and people healthier, Gene and his team are proving that science-driven innovation can help us tackle some of humanity’s most urgent environmental and health challenges.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review. Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Powering the Future: Dr. Denis Phares on Dragonfly Energy’s Path to Sustainable Lithium Innovation | Ep 1113

  In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas speaks with Dr. Denis Phares, President and CEO of Dragonfly Energy, the company behind the well-known Battle Born Batteries brand. A former USC professor with a background in energy, nanotechnology, and fluid mechanics, Dr. Phares shares how he transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship to advance sustainable energy solutions.He explains how Dragonfly carved out a leadership position in the lithium-ion battery market, especially in RV, marine, and off-grid applications—by focusing on brand growth, real-world adoption, and profitability. Dr. Phares also highlights Dragonfly’s groundbreaking dry electrode cell manufacturing technology, a key step toward enabling domestic competitiveness and reducing reliance on overseas production.Looking ahead, he discusses the company’s 23% year-over-year sales growth, expansion into heavy-duty trucking and other sectors, and Nevada’s ambitious “lithium loop” ecosystem. With a strong foundation, innovative IP, and a commitment to onshore manufacturing, Dragonfly Energy is positioning itself to play a pivotal role in America’s renewable energy transition.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review. Apple or Spotify.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Restoring Sanity Online: Mark Weinstein’s Fight for Privacy, Data Portability, and the Future of Social Media | Ep 1112

  In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Mark Weinstein—renowned tech entrepreneur, privacy expert, and one of the original pioneers of social networking. With over 25 years in the industry and 13 U.S. patents focused on data anonymization, Mark has dedicated his career to building platforms that protect users rather than exploit them.Mark shares insights from his new book, Restoring Our Sanity Online, praised by Sir Tim Berners-Lee as “a vital read” and by Steve Wozniak as “a must read.” He reflects on the early days of Web1, the rise of surveillance capitalism in Web2, and the stubborn hold Big Tech maintains over the social media landscape. He also introduces his concept of “Restoration Networking,” a new framework for user-centric design that prioritizes privacy, data portability, and safeguarding future generations.The conversation dives into the dangers of manipulative algorithms, the failures of Web3 in delivering on its promises, and the dual-edged role of AI—both as a manipulative force and as a powerful tool for eliminating bots and trolls. Despite the challenges, Mark remains hopeful, pointing to bipartisan legislative efforts, data ownership initiatives, and a growing movement toward digital sanity.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review. Apple or Spotify.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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