Giving Back To Others

Many of us who have reached senior-level IT positions have had special people who have helped us achieve success throughout our careers. For me, some of these people were formal mentors, some were exceptional bosses and some were just very good friends.

I believe that I have been very lucky in my career to have experienced all of those relationships. I also believe that each of us should find ways to give back to others some of what we have been given.

For me, I have found this opportunity as a volunteer board member of the Madison Ronald McDonald House, which works to bring help to the families of critically ill children. I have been really proud of the response of the Madison, Wis., technology community and vendors - they have come together two times in the last six years to help me bring a modern computing infrastructure to the Madison Ronald McDonald House.

Even though my term as a board member ends in November, I will continue to find ways to stay involved and to give back a part of what I have been so lucky to receive.

-Byrne Chapman

VP, Information Services, American Family Mutual Insurance