Shane Portfolio is CTO of Congruex, an international design, engineering, and construction firm. In this role he and his team are responsible for the health and reliability of Congruex’s technology road map, culture, and organizational systems and processes. Shane leads the organization that provides fiber installation that helps clients deliver internet speeds for our increasingly connected customers. Shane is also responsible for Change Management, Deployment and Capacity Planning, and the company-wide OneCongruex Initiative which is working to achieve sameness across the entire organization as it relates to processes, tools, functions, roles and responsibilities.
He is on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters Colorado, Metropolitan State University Denver, and the National Technical Diversity Council. Shane also serves as a National Member of Technical and Engineering Advisors – SCTE, as well as a Technical Advisor for Cisco, Juniper, Ciena, Nokia and CommScope, and an executive consultant at Georgia Tech University. Shane is a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Army where he was a former Platoon Sergeant and Leadership Instructor and successfully completed the Army’s Primary Leadership Course, Officer Candidate School, and Senior Leadership Course.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Dr. Portfolio shared his professional trajectory, significant career milestone, personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Dr. Portfolio. What inspired you to pursue a career in technology, and what motivates you to continue innovating and leading in this field?
Desire to help advance a growing sector while serving people.
What is your favorite aspect of being a CTO, and what do you enjoy most about your current role?
The ability to navigate people, process, and technology.
What do you believe are the essential qualities and skills required to be a successful CTO, and how do you embody those qualities in your own role?
Thought leadership, technical depth, cultural transformation change.
How do you stay current with emerging trends and technologies, and what resources or networks do you rely on to stay informed?
Research, networking, staying alert to any changes.
Looking back on your career, what do you believe is your most significant accomplishment as a CTO?
Changing the culture to one that is a winning team.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
Yes. Several. But Hank Fore specifically.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
Run, swim, read, spend time with friends and family.
Which technology are you investing in now to prepare for the future?
AI, automation.
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
I’d like to be in a CEO role.
What advice would you give to aspiring technology leaders who are looking to follow in your footsteps and become a CTO one day?
Never underestimate the value of serving others.