A regional forum for CIOs that fosters excellence

The March 2026 Forum Update

A Board Meeting was held on February 9. During that meeting, a key decision was made in support of executing our Five-Year Plan. Beginning with the 2026–2027 Forum Year, membership fees will increase by five percent. In the Forum’s twenty-two-year history, dues have never been raised, despite steadily increasing expenses. Our five-year financial projections made clear that this adjustment is now necessary to ensure continued viability and program excellence. We appreciate your understanding. The formal announcement was distributed in February.

As part of the continued expansion of our scholarship program, we launched a student mentoring initiative in Fall 2025 with Towson University in partnership with Bruce Laws, Career Advising Specialist for Computer & Information Sciences. This initiative invites current students to participate in informal mentoring lunches alongside CIO and vendor members during our on-campus meetings. The response has been outstanding, with nine students attending the February Forum. We look forward to building on this success and enhancing our scholarship efforts in additional creative and meaningful ways.

We welcomed 45 attendees at the February 26 Forum and continue to average between 45 and 50 participants per meeting. February’s topic proved both timely and impactful: effective data management establishes the foundation for successful initiatives, informed decision-making, and the strategic use of emerging technologies, including AI.

Looking ahead, three remaining Forums will provide valuable insights for your strategic planning:

• March 19 – We will address the evolving threat landscape, surviving “zero hour,” and current transformation paradigms. Cisco will guide us in navigating an AI-enhanced threat environment. Rubrik will simulate a zero-hour ransomware scenario. IPDS, together with the CTO from Adventist HealthCare, will share experiences related to virtualization, managed services, and security and data challenges.
• April 16 – Andersen Consulting will discuss how to manage and drive innovation within our organizations, emphasizing measurable business outcomes delivered by cross-functional teams. The Occams Group will explore the future of IT teams and staffing strategies that accelerate transformation. In addition, Marc Andonian will join us to share insights from his new book, The Three Lenses: How to See Clearly, Decide Wisely, and Live with Integrity. We will have his book for those who attend.
• May 21 – We will convene at McCormick under the theme “Teaming for Success.” Additional details will be shared soon.

During the March and April timeframe, the Forum focuses on two critical priorities:

• Developing the 2026–2027 Program – We will gather topic recommendations from members, determine the selected subjects/themes for our meetings and finalize the program during a virtual CIO only meeting on April 17.
• Board Elections – We will elect Board Members to serve three-year terms. The Board is the governing body of the Forum; its leadership shapes our direction and ensures long-term success. We seek individuals who are committed to the Forum and its continued growth.

We are also placing renewed emphasis on strengthening member connections and engagement. Additional initiatives will be announced soon. Our vendor members remain an integral part of our community; and Bill Medley, now with Urban One, is prepared to further enhance vendor engagement within the Forum. More to come on this.

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Spring special events:

• April 21 – Spring Golf Outing – This is a “members pay their own way” event and is not included in membership dues. The $180 fee covers golf and luncheon.
• May 16 – Spring Social – Hosted at David’s Restaurant and Bar at Maryland Live! We will have exclusive use of the restaurant for the evening. The theme is The Maryland Preakness, and guests are welcome and encouraged to dress for the occasion. The formal invitation will be coming out shortly.

As always, the Board, Kerri, and Don welcome your feedback and engagement. Our goal is to be the strongest CIO Forum possible — and that is only achievable through your participation and support.

There is much to accomplish in the months ahead. Let us finish this year strong and position ourselves for an exceptional 2026–2027 Forum year.

All our Best,

The Board, Kerri and Don