Contact Us
2026

Top IT Leaders

in Arizona to Watch

KeenStack’s Top IT Leaders in Arizona to Watch recognizes the technology executives driving digital transformation, innovation, and operational excellence across Arizona’s business community.

2026

Celebrating Bold Leadership in Technology

Arizona’s business sector is undergoing a profound technological shift, and it takes exceptional leaders to navigate it. This annual recognition spotlights the CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives who are reimagining operations through AI, digital transformation, and systems innovation.

Selected for their track record of impact, cross-functional leadership, and commitment to pushing technology and business  forward, these honorees represent the best of Arizona’s IT community.

10

Honorees recognized

AZ

Statewide selection

2026

Inaugural class

Annual

Recurring recognition

THE HONOREES

Meet the Leaders

Bianca Lochner, Ph.D.

Chief Information Officer
City of Scottsdale

Durga Pattela

Chief Technology & Digital Officer
AZ Department of Economic Security

Bryce Carder

Chief Digital Information Officer
Banner Health

Sonny Varadan

Chief Information Officer
Sonora Quest Laboratories

Sonny Sonnenstein

Chief Information Officer
Western Alliance Bank

Sener Degirmenci

Chief Information Officer
Republic Services

Michelle Ferrara

Chief Information Officer
APS (Arizona Public Service)

Richard McHattie

Chief Information Officer
Maricopa County

Troy Philbert

Chief Information Officer
Amkor Technology

Robert Williams

Chief Information Security Officer
Microchip Technology
GET INVOLVED

Know a Leader Worth Recognizing?

Nominations for the 2027 list opens later this year. If you know an Arizona IT leader making an outsized impact, we want to hear from you.

Bianca Lochner, Ph.D.

Chief Information Officer
City of Scottsdale

Bianca Lochner, Ph.D., serves as Chief Information Officer for the City of Scottsdale, where she leads enterprise technology strategy and digital transformation initiatives. She has been instrumental in positioning Scottsdale as the #1 Digital City in the United States for three consecutive years, driving adoption of AI, modern data platforms, and smart city solutions. Her work focuses on improving citizen experience, strengthening operational efficiency, and advancing data-driven decision-making across the organization.

VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →

Durga Pattela

Chief Technology & Digital Officer
AZ Department of Economic Security

Durga Pattela serves as Chief Technology & Digital Officer at the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), where he leads enterprise-wide technology modernization and digital transformation for one of Arizona’s largest state agencies. With more than 25 years of experience in public sector, insurance, and finance, he has led more than $500 million in modernization efforts, replacing legacy systems with cloud-native, AI-powered platforms. Prior to joining DES, he served as Executive Director and Head of Data and Analytics at CSAA Insurance Group. He is known for bridging business and technology strategy in complex, highly regulated environments.

VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →

Bryce Carder

Chief Digital Information Officer
Banner Health

Bryce Carder serves as Chief Digital and Information Officer at Banner Health, where he leads enterprise technology and digital strategy across one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems. He is responsible for the platforms and capabilities that support 55,000 employees, 32 hospitals, and more than 450 care sites, driving initiatives across clinical systems, revenue cycle, and patient experience. His work focuses on improving patient outcomes and advancing operational performance across the organization.

VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →

Sonny Varadan

Chief Information Officer
Sonora Quest Laboratories

Sonny Varadan serves as Chief Information Officer at Sonora Quest Laboratories, where he leads technology strategy for Arizona’s leading diagnostic information services provider. He brings experience across healthcare IT and laboratory systems, with a focus on using data analytics, machine learning, and automation to support decision-making and improve patient experience. His work focuses on integrating technology and operations to support more efficient and effective healthcare diagnostics and insights.

VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →

Sonny Sonnenstein

Chief Information Officer
Western Alliance Bank

Sonny Sonnenstein serves as Chief Information Officer at Western Alliance Bank, where he is responsible for setting and executing enterprise technology strategy across digital platforms, core systems, and data and analytics. He brings more than 30 years of experience leading technology transformation in financial services, including large-scale modernization and integration initiatives. His work focuses on advancing technology capabilities that support growth, resilience, and operational performance across the organization.

VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →

Sener Degirmenci

Chief Information Officer
Republic Services

Sener Degirmenci serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Republic Services, where he leads enterprise technology strategy for one of the largest environmental services providers in the United States. Having progressed through multiple leadership roles within the company, he brings deep operational and technology experience. His work focuses on advancing modernization and strengthening the digital capabilities needed to serve millions of customers across the country.

VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →

Michelle Ferrara

Chief Information Officer
APS (Arizona Public Service)

Michelle Ferrara serves as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Arizona Public Service (APS), where she leads technology strategy for Arizona’s largest energy provider. She oversees IT infrastructure, applications, and digital initiatives that support operations and business strategy across the organization. With over 30 years of experience in utility IT, she has led large teams and delivered enterprise-wide transformation projects.

VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →

Richard McHattie

Chief Information Officer
Maricopa County
VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →

Troy Philbert​

Chief Information Officer
Amkor Technology
VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →

Robert Williams

Chief Information Security Officer
Microchip Technology
VIEW LINKEDIN PROFILE →