Jim Fowler named CIO of the Year

Recognizing exceptional leadership, innovation and vision within the technology industry, the ORBIE Award annually honors a standout technology executive in the state of Ohio. This year, Nationwide Chief Technology Officer Jim Fowler has been named the 2022 Ohio CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards Leadership Recipient.

Established in 1998, the ORBIE Award is presented by OhioCIO, a peer-based, chief information officer networking and leadership organization. OhioCIO chooses ORBIE Award winners through an independent judging process.

“It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of the Nationwide Technology team,” said Fowler. “While my name is on this award, this really is a distinction that was earned by our entire team.”

Fowler joined Nationwide in 2018 after meeting with members of Nationwide’s executive leadership team and Board of Directors, who he said encouraged him to help the company forge a new path.

“In 25 years of working in technology to support businesses, I had never seen a management team as engaged and invested in the idea that technology is going to change the way we work, the products we sell, and the expectations of the customers we serve,” Fowler said. “All of them made an invitation to me to help them disrupt themselves and our industry before it disrupts Nationwide.”

As the winner of this year’s award, Fowler participated in a Q&A with Columbus Business First to discuss his role and how Nationwide remains committed to cultivating and inspiring top talent. Highlights include:

• Nationwide’s Future of Work investment
• Creative ways Nationwide is recruiting talent in the tech organization
• Partnerships with financial services organizations, associations and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to form the Financial Alliance for Racial Equity

To learn more about the Nationwide Technology team and its open positions visit the Nationwide Technology positions page.