Involta’s ongoing mission to help clients optimize performance begins with partnership. Since its inception in 1988, the company has been hard at work building powerful partnerships across the country with clients, strategic partners and internally with its award-winning team. That’s why it should come as no surprise, Involta’s Chief Innovation Officer, Michelle Bates, was recently named CIO of the Year by the Technology Association of Iowa (TAI). This most prestigious accolade was given as part of TAI’s annual Prometheus Awards, Iowa’s technology industry’s most acclaimed awards.
The Awards Must Go On
This year, the awards show was held virtually during Prometheus Awards Week due to the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrated leaders in technology, business, education and government for their most impactful innovations. The Hawkeye State’s esteemed tech awards, sponsored in part by Google and the Iowa Economic Development Authority, acknowledge individuals and companies impacting Iowa’s over $10 billion technology industry, accounting for almost six percent of the state’s total economy. Exemplifying great talent, Prometheus Award winners solidify Iowa’s reputation as a technology state.
Award-Winning Transformations
Headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with purpose-built data centers in Arizona, Idaho, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and more on the horizon, Involta continues to provide clients with the power to transform their technology and the freedom to focus on their core business. In part, Bates won this award because of her development of and dedication to innovation and the Involta brand. By empowering Involta clients to transform digitally, her philosophy aligns and enables people and processes to achieve their desired business outcomes.
“Not only does Michelle implement change management for clients who embody this philosophy at its core, but she also recognizes its importance to the success at Involta. She consistently drives home the point that any type of change, growth or success begins with people,” stated Bruce Lehrman, Involta CEO.
Digital Visions, Strategic Approach
As CIO, Bates’ strategic approach to client acquisition has been a fundamental component of Involta’s success in delivering progressive consulting services across public, private and hybrid cloud platforms. Her keen ability to build relationships and deliver sophisticated client engagements has helped Involta acquire some of its most influential clients of record.
“It’s an honor to receive this recognition,” stated Bates. “As a young woman growing up in the land of the Amish, I never dreamed of having an opportunity to help organizations transform their business leveraging technology. I humbly accept this award on behalf of the talented team at Involta who drive digital transformation every day to achieve the business goals of our customers.”
Prior to joining Involta in 2018, Bates served as owner and CEO of BluPrairie Technologies, an IT cloud consulting firm that helped businesses, governmental agencies, start-ups and higher education institutions leverage technology to transform the way business is conducted. She also previously held several positions with Fortune 500 and start-up companies. Michelle’s experience encompasses work with leading cloud service providers, such as Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services™.
To watch Michelle Bates’ most recent interview with TAI, click here. To read the full announcement, click here.
