Independent On-Demand CIO
Executive technology leadership, on your terms.
Optinev gives small and mid-sized organizations an experienced, independent technology leader to set direction, manage risk, and make the big decisions with confidence.
Not a vendor. A trusted partner. On your side.
Your technology roadmap
- AssessOperations & security baseline
- AlignPriorities tied to goals
- OptimizeVendors, contracts, spend
- GrowModernize for what's next
- 20+ yearsin technology strategy, architecture & risk
- Board experiencewe know what leadership needs to see
Sound familiar?
Most organizations call us at one of these moments.
- 01
“Our technology is outdated.”
Aging systems, manual workarounds, and patchwork tools are slowing your team down and quietly adding risk.
- 02
“We've outgrown our setup.”
Growth, new locations, or acquisitions mean your systems and support no longer fit how the business actually works.
- 03
“A big decision is coming.”
A core system replacement, a new platform, or a major contract renewal, and you want to get it right the first time.
- 04
“Someone is asking hard questions.”
Regulators, auditors, your board, or your insurer want proof that technology risk is under control.
- 05
“Our IT leader just left.”
You need steady, experienced leadership now, while you decide what comes next.
Whatever the moment, the first step is a conversation.
How we help
Senior technology leadership, scaled to what you need.
On-Demand CIO
An experienced technology executive on your leadership team, without a full-time salary. Every engagement is scoped to your organization.
Compass
Your executive sounding board
For organizations with a capable IT team or provider that want experienced executive perspective before key decisions.
Accelerator
Strategy, structure, momentum
For organizations ready to strengthen their technology program: where you stand, where to go, and a team that can get there.
Fractional
An accountable leader in the seat
For organizations that need someone to own technology, interim or ongoing, on-site or virtual.
Assessments & Strategy
An objective, business-first view of your technology: strengths, gaps, and risks, turned into a prioritized roadmap leadership can act on.
Technology Evaluations
Choose the right system, not the best demo. Structured requirements, vendor scorecards, and true cost of ownership, ending in a clear recommendation.
Our approach
Clear direction, built on proven frameworks.
Step 1
Get the full picture
We listen to leadership, review your people, processes, and systems, and establish an honest baseline.
Step 2
Chart the course
We translate findings into business terms and a prioritized roadmap, weighed by value, risk, and cost.
Step 3
Lead the way
We stay accountable for results, guiding decisions, vendors, and your team as the plan becomes reality.
Independent advice. Accountable leadership.
We sit on your side of the table, working alongside your leadership team to set direction, weigh the trade-offs, and see every decision through.
Independent
No products to push. Every recommendation is tied to your goals and budget.
Business-first
We speak the language of leadership and boards: value, risk, and cost, not jargon.
Accountable
We don't hand you a report and leave. We stay to see the results through.
Experience across banking, healthcare, non-profit, and field services, including organizations with demanding regulatory and security requirements.
Meet the founder
Dustin Kalkbrenner
Founder & On-Demand CIO
For more than 20 years I've worked on both sides of the table: leading enterprise architecture, IT finance, and technology risk inside a regulated bank, and advising executive teams as a fractional CIO. Today I also serve on a bank board, so I know what leadership needs to hear.
I started Optinev so growing organizations could get that same caliber of leadership, independent and accountable, without the cost of a full-time executive.
Results
Outcomes that hold up in the boardroom.
10–40%
Lower IT spend
By re-evaluating vendors, right-sizing services, and renegotiating contracts, without cutting what the business relies on.75%
Of regulatory findings resolved in six months
For a bank under exam pressure: prioritized remediation, clear ownership, and progress the board could see.
What leaders say
“I have had the opportunity to work with Dustin at 2 different companies. He brings a different approach to analyzing the business’ current capabilities and future needs. He covers these things from all angles with calculated intelligence. He merges the architecture and project delivery needs with a financial discipline that other management consulting firms haven’t mastered.”
Bill Fortwangler
CIO“I had the pleasure of working closely with Dustin on complex projects, and his strategic insights and management prowess were truly exceptional. His ability to navigate the intricacies of IT challenges and align business goals was instrumental in our success. Dustin and Optinev bring a unique blend of business architecture experience and strategic vision to the table, making them an invaluable asset to any organization seeking strategy and management consulting.”
Jarrod Clark
Enterprise Technology Strategist“Dustin was an asset to work with in preparing a business case for an executive leadership proposal, enabling us to gain buy-in to proceed with the technology investment. He collaborated with the business stakeholders, analyzed all the information and potential solutions. Dustin provided us with a detailed proposal that highlighted both the quantitative and qualitative benefits of the recommended solution. It was a pleasure working with Dustin and we look forward to working with him again in the future.”
Justin Denham
CIO
Let's talk about where your technology should take you.
Tell us a little about your organization. We personally review every message and reply within one business day.