Chris Brockway is the Chief Operating Officer at Thinking Hats Technologies. With an extensive track record in the private sector spanning over two decades, Chris has spent much of his career elevating employee and customer experiences through innovative software solutions. His extensive background in engineering and commitment to lean principles uniquely position him for serving the needs of the public sector by applying his insights into the customer journey with effectiveness, precision, and finesse.

Chris’s journey at Hornet Capital LLC began with his role as Chief Technology Officer and partner, identifying critical opportunities for revitalization within the firm’s portfolio of small to mid-sized manufacturing companies. He led the transformation of their proprietary ERP system into an online SAAS application, directly addressing issues of inadequate information systems and failed ERP implementations that plagued many of Hornet’s acquisitions. This strategic move not only facilitated the turnaround of Hornet’s diverse manufacturing portfolio but also empowered these businesses with comprehensive tools for seamless operation across purchasing, manufacturing, and customer service.

In addition to his technical leadership, Chris took on multiple executive roles, including VP of Manufacturing and VP of Product Development and Engineering, where his hands-on approach and keen insight into process refinement significantly enhanced team management and product development. Through Chris’s leadership and innovations, he not only propelled Hornet Capital’s operational capabilities but also laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth and success.

Before Hornet Capital, Chris worked at G-Bar Limited Partnership as a member of a team building the Option industry’s first real-time automated trading system. Additionally, his consultancy work for clients such as Abbott Laboratories, GE Capital, and Montgomery Wards underscore his prowess in developing tailored software solutions for multifaceted systems and requirements. Chris earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan. During his career Chris earned various certifications related to lean manufacturing including a 6-sigma Green Belt.

John Little is the visionary founder and CEO of Thinking Hats Technologies, a software development company dedicated to providing GIS-based, point-of-work software solutions. John’s diverse IT background in both the private and public sectors has uniquely positioned him to deliver solutions built to serve the public good. He has worked with organizations across the U.S. planning, designing, and implementing Enterprise GIS Solutions for municipalities and utilities in North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Before establishing Thinking Hats Technologies in 2019, John served as the Application Services Manager at Greenville Utilities, spearheading the company’s custom software development initiatives. It was during this tenure that he witnessed the shortcomings of conventional comprehensive operational management systems.

Determined to address these deficiencies, he embarked on a mission to create a solution tailored to meet the specific needs of his public works and utilities staff. By observing staff-specific needs and requirements while with them in the field, he gained real-world insights that led to the development of Mavtrek’s Point-Of-Work software.

Prior to his role at Greenville Utilities, John held the position of GIS Director at Geographic Technologies Group (GTG), where he orchestrated multifaceted IT strategic implementations for numerous local government clients nationwide. Before GTG, he directed Macon County, NC IT staff and infrastructure as System Administrator.

John received his MBA from East Carolina University and his Bachelor of Science degree in Geography, GIS and Cartography from Appalachian State University. He has been honored with the G. Herbert Stout award for his outstanding contributions to GIS development for local governments and has received accolades from ESRI for his pioneering efforts in advancing the GIS community. Additionally, John holds certifications as a Scrum Master from the Scrum Alliance and Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute, further underscoring his commitment to excellence in software development and project leadership.