Technology Leadership & Executive Advisory
Strategic Technology Leadership for Growth, AI, and Scale
David Rizzo · CTO & Technology Executive
About
I am a technology executive and CTO with experience leading engineering, product, and operations for enterprise software and SaaS organizations, including private-equity-backed companies undergoing transformation.
My work spans modernizing platforms, evolving operating models, integrating acquired teams, and building healthy, accountable cultures that can ship high-quality software predictably.
I'm at my best at the intersection of strategy and execution—translating board-level goals into clear priorities for product, engineering, SRE, and support teams, and making sure people, process, and technology stay aligned.
I've implemented AI in production—real software shipped to real customers, not proof-of-concepts. Beyond the product itself, I've integrated AI across the full software development lifecycle: architecture and design, code assistance, code review, testing, CI/CD integration, and deployment. AI isn't a strategy I advise on from the outside; it's a discipline I've practiced from the inside.
Connect with DavidWhat I Do
I help PE-backed software companies scale product, engineering, and operations—driving predictable delivery, healthier cultures, and measurable business outcomes.
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End-to-end technology due diligence, team integration, and platform consolidation for PE-backed acquisition strategies. From pre-close assessment to post-merger alignment.
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Executive-level technology leadership on a flexible basis. Ideal for companies in transition, between leaders, or scaling beyond their current capabilities.
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Enterprise-grade mainframe strategy for the modern era—from IBM z/OS architecture and COBOL application practices to AI integration on the mainframe and hybrid cloud coexistence.
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The independent technology voice your board has been missing. AI governance, cybersecurity oversight, M&A due diligence, and PE portfolio risk—from an operator who has led through all of it.
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Identify, manage, and optimize costs across cloud providers and AI workloads. Built for organizations scaling infrastructure and AI investments who need visibility and accountability before spend becomes a liability.
Learn More →Background
30 years of enterprise software leadership across cybersecurity, mainframe, and SaaS organizations.
July 2022 – June 2024
LogRhythm (merged with Exabeam) · Remote
January 2021 – June 2022
BMC Software · Remote
April 2015 – December 2020
Compuware Corporation (Acquired by BMC Software) · Detroit, MI
April 2013 – March 2015
Compuware Corporation · Detroit, MI
October 1997 – March 2013
Compuware Corporation · Detroit, MI
Expertise
What I bring to the table as a technology and business leader.
Leadership
I believe strong technology organizations are built on clarity, accountability, and trust. Leaders define clear outcomes, remove blockers, invest in people, and ensure that teams understand not just what they're building—but why it matters.
Great engineering and product teams don't exist in isolation. I prioritize tight connection with go-to-market, finance, and customer-facing teams so we're building what the business truly needs, at the right level of quality, at a sustainable pace.
Increasingly, I focus on how AI and automation can improve developer experience, reduce toil, and create space for teams to focus on higher-value work—while still maintaining guardrails and responsible use of emerging technologies.
Let's Connect
If you'd like to connect about technology leadership, PE-backed transformations, M&A integration, or advisory conversations, I'd love to hear from you.