Vertiv announced that Mike Giresi will join the company as global chief information officer (CIO) on June 30, 2025.

In his new role, Giresi will lead initiatives in AI adoption, cybersecurity, product security, and digital productivity.

Giresi has over 30 years of experience in information technology, with more than 20 years in leadership roles.

His previous positions include chief digital officer at Molex and CIO at Aramark, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Tory Burch, and Godiva Chocolatier.

Vertiv CEO Giordano Albertazzi emphasized the significance of digital and IT strategies for maintaining the company’s competitive edge.

🔗 Source: Vertiv

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Tech leadership now demands strong business acumen alongside technical expertise

Vertiv’s hiring of Mike Giresi reflects a broader industry trend where technology leaders must bridge technical and business domains to drive organizational value.

Studies show 53% of businesspeople report increased interaction with tech teams in recent years, yet communication challenges persist, with 62% citing verbal miscommunication as the primary issue 1.

This communication gap explains why 98% of HR leaders now prioritize soft skills when hiring for technology roles, and 78% have intensified their focus on these skills over the past three years 1.

Successful digital transformations require this dual capability. McKinsey research reveals that organizations with digital-savvy leaders are 1.5 times more likely to report successful transformation outcomes compared to those without 2.

The emphasis on Giresi’s extensive leadership experience across diverse industries signals Vertiv’s recognition that effective technology implementation requires leaders who can translate technical possibilities into business value.

2️⃣ Infrastructure limitations remain the biggest barrier to AI implementation

Vertiv’s focus on AI adoption through their new CIO appointment addresses a critical challenge facing companies across industries.

Despite rapid AI adoption across the Asia Pacific region, with 46% of enterprises in Singapore considering themselves mature in AI usage, only 25% view their AI implementation as truly transformative 3.