Vendor-neutral technology leadership built on 20+ years of real IT infrastructure and managed services experience.
Dave — Founder, Central CTO
Central CTO was founded by Dave, a technology leader with over 20 years in IT infrastructure and managed services. That includes environments with up to 13,000 users — the kind of scale where security isn't optional, vendor relationships require real oversight, and technology decisions have real operational consequences.
That background shapes how every engagement is approached. The question isn't "what's the newest solution?" It's "what will actually work in your environment, stay secure, and not create a new set of problems six months from now?"
Central CTO was built specifically to serve the gap between having an IT person and needing a real CTO. Most organizations in that gap get sold to — by MSPs, by software vendors, by consultants with referral arrangements. Central CTO was structured to avoid all of that.
The AI Enablement practice came out of that same experience. Watching organizations adopt AI tools without governance, without workflow integration, and without any continuity. The operational discipline that applies to IT infrastructure applies equally to AI adoption — and most people selling AI training don't have it.
These aren't values statements — they're operational commitments that shape every client engagement.
Central CTO doesn't resell software, earn referral commissions, or have preferred vendors. That policy isn't just a statement — it's how the practice was structured from day one. It's the only way to give advice that's actually useful.
The background here is IT infrastructure and managed services — environments where security, documentation, and reliability aren't optional. That perspective shapes how technology recommendations are made: can this actually be operated, secured, and maintained by a real team?
Stable, documented, predictable, and secure technology isn't exciting — and it shouldn't be. Boring IT means the infrastructure is working, nothing unexpected is happening, and the leadership team can focus on the business. That's the goal.
AI Enablement follows the same principles as the traditional advisory practice: observe first, build for what actually exists, don't promise more than the tools can deliver, and make sure governance and security are part of the picture from the start.
Central CTO is not a managed service provider. We don't manage your day-to-day IT, and we don't handle helpdesk or infrastructure operations. If that's what you need, we'll tell you and help you find the right resource.
We don't sell software, earn placement fees, or have commercial relationships with vendors we recommend. If we recommend something, it's because it's the right fit for your situation.
We also don't automate back-office operations or build custom software. The AI Enablement practice is focused on making your senior people faster at the work only they can do — not replacing staff or automating operations.
Small to mid-size businesses that need senior technology leadership without a full-time CTO. The fit is strongest for organizations in professional services — legal, accounting, finance, consulting — but the service is not limited to those industries.
For AI Enablement specifically, we work directly with C-level executives and leadership teams. The focus is on how senior people spend their time and where AI can make a real dent — not on general staff training.
Mission-driven organizations face real technology decisions with less budget and less internal expertise. Central CTO works with churches and nonprofits on the same terms as any other client — no discount, no condescension, same honest advice.
Start with a conversation. No sales pitch, no obligation — just an honest exchange about where you are and whether we're the right fit.