Episode Details

What happens when one of Pittsburgh's most influential IT leaders steps down after decades at the helm — and hands the keys to someone who's been beside him for 26 years?

In this special episode from the Pittsburgh Technology Council's CIO Insights event, TechVibe's Jonathan Kersting sits down with outgoing UPMC CIO Ed McCallister and incoming CIO Chris Carmody to unpack a leadership transition unlike any other in Pittsburgh's tech community.

Ed recounts the early days of UPMC's health plan — starting from a blank whiteboard with no technology in place — and building it into one of the region's most powerful IT organizations. Chris shares his own journey from IT auditor to CTO, and how their two-decade-plus partnership made this succession feel less like a handoff and more like a shared torch finally finding its next bearer.

They discuss what great IT leadership really comes down to (hint: it's about people, not technology), the role of artificial intelligence in the future of healthcare, and what comes next for Ed — including time with his five-year-old grandson.

Whether you're in healthcare IT, leadership, or just love a great Pittsburgh success story, this conversation is a masterclass in succession planning done right.