Tollefson named 2023 Wisconsin ORBIE® finalist

Bob Tollefson, Vice President of Business Resources at ETC, has been named as a finalist for the 2023 Wisconsin ORBIE^® Awards in the Corporate category, presented by the Wisconsin Leadership Association (WisconsinCIO.) Tollefson was selected from a list of over 120 nominations. As a finalist in this Award category, he will be honored at an awards banquet in June in front of more than 300 technology professionals and business leaders.

Tollefson graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Management Computer Systems and Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In 2001, he joined ETC as a software developer to support and improve a growing suite of business applications. In 2004 Tollefson became the manager of the IT Applications and Development group and was later promoted to IT Manager where he was responsible for all aspects of IT development and operations. Tollefson returned to school while working for ETC and earned his master’s certificate in Technical Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2010. Now as the Vice President of Business Resources, Tollefson oversees the IT, Facilities, and Quality groups at ETC with a focus on agile software development, lean manufacturing, and improved international business.

ETC President and CEO, Dick Titus says, “ETC is lucky to employ strong leaders throughout our entire organization. In his decades of service with the company, Bob has supported ETC's international growth with a strong vision for the future. All of us who see the impact of Bob's leadership day-to-day at ETC can attest to the fact that this nomination is well-deserved. We’re proud to have him represent the company in such a positive light.”

The ORBIE Award is the premier technology executive recognition program in the United States. Since its inception in 1998, over 500 CIO of the Year winners have received the prestigious ORBIE Award. The ORBIE honors Chief Information Officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership. Winners are selected by an independent peer review process led by prior ORBIE recipients based on: leadership and management effectiveness, business value created by technology innovation, and engagement in industry and community endeavors.

Tollefson says, “I am honored to be a finalist for the Wisconsin ORBIE CIO of the Year award. It’s really a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team at ETC. I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead such a talented group of individuals and be part of the team that drives business innovation through technology. Thank you to WisconsinCIO for this recognition and to my peers for their support."

ETC is a global leader in the manufacture of lighting fixtures, controls, and rigging systems for entertainment, architectural, and commercial spaces. Founded in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1975, ETC employs over 1200 people in 16 corporate offices around the globe and has earned an industry reputation for unmatched technical and customer service. ETC equipment can be found in venues worldwide, including theaters, restaurants, schools, performing arts centers, television studios, houses of worship, casinos, museums, theme parks, sporting arenas, and opera houses.

For more information about the ORBIE awards, please visit orbie.org.