CIO Host

Johann A. Vaz
CTO
ECR Software Corporation

Johann has a history of successfully leading dynamic organizations to achieve significant growth and market presence. He earned his reputation for developing strategic partnerships with functional leaders to bridge the gap between operational decisions and financial targets using IT as a strategic asset and competitive advantage while balancing cost and risk.
Having spent most of his professional career in the manufacturing, media, life-science and retail industries in various technology, cyber security and supply chain roles, Johann moved to Boone in early 2018 and is actively involved as Chief Technology Officer for ECR Software Corporation, a US-based, Certified Evergreen™ transaction and retail solutions provider.
Johann was also CIO for zenColor Corporation, providing global retailers, manufacturers, and design professionals with innovative digital solutions that address the business challenges they face every day, from design inception, manufacturing and distribution, to final sale and beyond.
Previously, Johann was CIO for Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a global provider of products used to treat blood coagulation disorders, auto-immune diseases and immune deficiencies. He has successfully championed business transformation through automation, enterprise applications and by modernizing legacy transactional systems into managed “cloud” services, while maintaining governance, risk, compliance and information security standards with little to no business disruption.
His other roles included CTO and various leadership roles at Tribune Company and Inland Steel Company.
Johann earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s degree in computer systems and software engineering from Grand Valley State University. Johann is active in the technology industry, serves on the board of the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country and is an adjunct faculty member and board participant of the Computer Information Systems department of Appalachian State University. Johann resides in Boone with his wife Audra and has two adult children, Brenna and Derrick. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, music and the outdoors.
