Is AI Replacing Programmers or Just Saving Them? A CTO Breaks It Down

Why do essential commercial trade businesses operate on razor-thin 5% profit margins when society depends on them every day? And how can a 50-person company run its logistics with the precision of an enterprise giant? In this episode of Leaders in Tech, host David Mansilla sits down with serial technology entrepreneur Fred Voccola, Chairman and CEO of Simpro Group and Co-Founder, Vice Chairman, and former CEO of Kaseya. Drawing from over three decades of building software companies through major technology waves, Fred explains how AI-first operating platforms and digital workers are transforming business economics for small and midsize companies. From replacing expensive back-office bottlenecks with autonomous AI agents to predicting which AI companies will survive the coming market shakeout, this conversation is packed with practical insights for founders, operators, and tech leaders. Watch the full episode to discover how to deploy a digital workforce, protect your profit margins, and stay ahead of the 2029 AI reckoning. Key Takeaways from This Episode:Solving the 5% Margin Trap: How AI removes human error from complex field service scheduling, routing, and billing to lift small business profit margins from 5% to 20–25%. The $4,000 Digital Worker vs. $90,000 Payroll: Inside Simpro's "Fast Cash" AI collections agent, which cuts late customer payments by 90% for companies that cannot afford full-time accounts receivable staff. Why 99% of AI Startups Will Fail: Fred's candid analysis of the AI market, explaining why systems of record holding proprietary operational data will win while surface-level AI wrappers die off. The 2028–2029 Workforce Shift: Why digital workers will outnumber physical workers by the end of 2028, and why tomorrow's top employees will be those who know how to manage and prompt AI teams. Leadership Built on Grit and Accountability: Lessons from scaling Identify Software, FGI, Kaseya, and Simpro Group, and why free-market resilience matters more than entitlement. Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Leaders in Tech with David Mansilla and Fred Voccola 01:02 - Simpro Group and the Hidden Complexity of Field Service Businesses 04:17 - Why Commercial Trade Companies Are Stuck at 5% Margins 05:24 - How a Digital Workforce Lifts Margins to 25% 09:42 - Fred's Journey: College Data Warehousing Startup to Identify Software 15:46 - Scaling Kaseya to $1.5B+ by Empowering Small Businesses 18:55 - Pivoting Simpro Group into an AI-First Operating Platform 19:58 - Motivation, Free Markets, and Entrepreneurial Resilience 29:45 - Is AI a Bubble? Why 99% of AI Companies Will Lose 32:18 - Systems of Record, Proprietary Data, and the 2029 Reckoning 34:56 - Case Study: How an AI Collections Agent Beats Human Teams 37:45 - Hiring 1,000 People and Where to Connect with Fred Voccola#LeadersInTech #FredVoccola #SimproGroup #DigitalWorkforce #AIAgents #FieldServiceManagement #BusinessEconomics #SmallBusinessGrowth #B2BSaaS #AIReckoning #TechLeadership #Entrepreneurship

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Leaders in Tech Podcast! In this episode, host David Mansilla welcomes Dennis Campbell, CEO and Founder of One Another World Inc. and DNY Enterprises. Dennis is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and engineer who has dedicated over 15 years to building community-first technology solutions. From pioneering telecom models to creating immersive wellness tools, Dennis shares the personal and pivotal moments that shaped his career—including how a devastating tornado in St. Louis catalyzed the creation of Reset XR, an innovative VR platform tailored for youth mental health and community development. Together, David and Dennis dive deep into digital wellness, navigating social media's impact on adolescents, closing the generational AI literacy gap, and why staying curious is our greatest asset in the age of artificial intelligence. 📌 Key Takeaways from This Episode:Tech Driven by Impact: Why Dennis Campbell builds platforms specifically designed to serve underrepresented communities and bridge access gaps. Immersive Mental Wellness: How Reset XR uses 5-to-10-minute VR experiences paired with live social dialogue to open deeper conversations around mental health. Bridging the AI Divide: Why closing the literacy gap across both youth and older generations is crucial to ensure nobody is left behind in the AI shift. Human-Centered Leadership: The vital role of parenting, education, and mindful boundaries in guiding young people through social media and screen time. Embracing the Future: Moving away from fear and leaning into curiosity as AI streamlines traditional software workflows and amplifies human potential. 🔗 Connect & Learn More:Learn more about Dennis Campbell’s platforms: oneanother.world | denniscampbell.co | mrbtstech.com Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn & Instagram Subscribe to the Leaders in Tech Podcast for more in-depth interviews with top tech leaders and visionaries!👉 Watch the full discussion above, leave a comment with your favorite insight, and don’t forget to like and subscribe!#LeadersInTech #DennisCampbell #DavidMansilla #VirtualReality #ImmersiveTech #SpatialComputing #MentalHealthTech #DigitalWellness #AILiteracy #TechEducation #SocialImpact #FutureOfAI #ResponsibleTech

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Leaders in Tech Podcast, hosted by David Mansilla! In this episode, we welcome Aleksei Malenkin, a technology executive with over 23 years of experience in enterprise banking, fintech, digital lending, and scalable technology architecture. Aleksei shares his story of relocating from Cyprus to Mexico City to co-found a fully in-house digital lending platform, the architectural decisions behind building vs. buying software, and how modern engineering teams can responsibly adopt AI to accelerate time-to-market. 📌 Key Takeaways & Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Aleksei’s Journey from Cyprus to Mexico 02:11 - Launching a Digital Lending Platform from Scratch 04:27 - Buy vs. Build: Why In-House Architecture Drives Long-Term Independence 06:48 - Practical AI Adoption in Risk Management & the Software Delivery Lifecycle (SDLC) 11:54 - How AI Impacts Team Sizes & Why Senior Engineering Foundations Are Critical 17:32 - Building Strong Core Fundamentals: Lessons from Chemical Industry Mentors 27:36 - Executive Well-Being: Yoga, Meditation, and Staying Grounded in Mega-Cities 28:40 - 25 Years of Hindsight: Networking, Continuous Learning, and Financial Preparedness 💡 About the Guest: Aleksei Malenkin is a CTO and Technology Executive with 23+ years of experience leading digital transformation across enterprise banking, fintech, lending, payments, and regulated digital platforms. He specializes in modernizing scalable financial technology organizations by combining business strategy, architecture, engineering leadership, and AI adoption. 🔔 Subscribe to Leaders in Tech for more executive interviews and tech leadership strategies!👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and share!#Fintech #CTOInsights #SoftwareArchitecture #AIEngineering #BuyVsBuild #DigitalLending #TechStartups #SoftwareDevelopment #CloudScalability #MexicoCityTech #LeadersInTech #StartupCoFounders #EngineeringLeadership #BNPL #DeveloperTools

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, host David Mansilla welcomes Abhay Salpekar, Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Deep Neural. Abhay is a seasoned strategic technology and AI executive with a proven track record of aligning technology strategy with business objectives across startups and multibillion-dollar enterprises.Join us as Abhay walks through his journey from electrical engineering and mainframes to leading today's most advanced AI cybersecurity and quantum-readiness initiatives. He breaks down how technology is evolving exponentially and what professionals must do to stay adaptable and resilient in a fast-changing world.Key Takeaways & What You’ll Learn:AI-Driven Cybersecurity: How traditional security models are transforming into autonomous, context-aware adaptive security meshes.Securing AI Agents: The emergence of agent identities, Model Context Protocols (MCP), and cryptographic "agent passports" to authenticate and control autonomous AI agents.Preparing for Quantum Computing: Why organizations must begin building quantum-proof products to withstand the leap beyond binary computing.The Skills Life Cycle (SLC): How tech professionals can spot S-curve patterns in their careers and pivot before their current skills become commoditized.Foundations Over Trends: Why mastering core logic and architectural principles is the key to surviving every technological hype cycle.Drop a comment below: What skill are you focusing on to future-proof your tech career? Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell for more interviews with leading voices in technology!#AISecurity #QuantumProof #TechLeadership #LeadersInTech #Cybersecurity #DigitalTransformation

Technology is transforming how we live, work, and connect—but true innovation doesn't come from code alone. It takes visionary leaders who can blend technical genius with deep empathy, human connection, and real-world purpose.In this video, we explore how modern tech leaders—like J.T. Kennedy, VP of Product Development at ION—are bridging the gap between business growth and meaningful societal impact. Learn how leveraging data, building people-first teams, and shifting from simple task management to inspirational leadership can drive long-term success and shape a better world.💡 Key Takeaways for Tech Executives & Business Leaders:• How to balance task completion with a culture of innovation and creative risk-taking.• Using data analytics to solve customer pain points and optimize operations.• Why empathy, communication, and adaptability are critical during rapid change.🔔 Subscribe for more insights on modern tech leadership, innovation strategies, and business growth!👍 If you found this video valuable, don't forget to Like, Comment your biggest takeaways below, and Share it with fellow leaders in your network!#TechLeadership #Innovation #ProductDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #TechForGood

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of the Leaders in Tech Podcast, hosted by David Mansilla! In this episode, we sit down with Aviram Hassan, CEO and Co-Founder of Mentar, a cutting-edge developer infrastructure platform based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Aviram shares his unique journey from high school acting and philosophy to military intelligence, technical sales, and eventually launching his own software startup. Learn how his diverse background equipped him to lead through uncertainty, build open-source software, and transform how modern software engineering teams test and deploy code.  📌 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:• Unconventional Pathways into Tech: How early passions for video gaming and creative arts can foster deep problem-solving and coding skills.• The Value of Creative Skills in Leadership: Why acting and philosophy build high-performing communication, empathy, and emotional resilience under pressure.• The Best Role Before Founding a Company: How working in Solutions Engineering bridges the gap between high-level tech and enterprise sales.• Building Developer Infrastructure: How Mentar enables developers and AI agents to test components against real environments locally without breaking system workflows.• Open-Source Strategy for Growth: Launching open-source software first, gathering authentic user feedback, and scaling into commercial success.• Resilient Founder Mindset: Navigating global crises, economic shifts, and startup pressures while keeping family and core values first.  🔔 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and turn on Notifications so you never miss an episode with top industry leaders!#LeadersInTechPodcast #AviramHassan #DavidMansilla #Mentar #DeveloperInfrastructure #OpenSourceSoftware #SolutionsEngineering #SoftwareDevelopment #TechStartups #DigitalTransformation

Welcome to another episode of Leaders in Tech! In this episode, host David Mansilla sits down with Daniel B. Waltz, a recently retired Healthcare CIO with over three decades of experience driving technology and digital transformation across major health systems. Dan shares his inspiring journey from a computer programmer with a background in Organizational Development to leading major Electronic Health Record (EHR) implementations and scaling IT organizations from 50 to 250 personnel. Discover how Dan applied basketball strategy, emotional intelligence, and servant leadership to build resilient teams and improve patient care through technology. 📌 Key Takeaways from this Episode:EQ Over IQ: Why emotional intelligence and human relationships are mandatory skills for modern technology leaders. Servant Leadership in Action: How putting your team's needs first builds trust, drives performance, and creates lasting corporate culture. Strategic Playbooks for Tech: Applying sports coaching strategies to execute complex, multi-site Epic EHR deployments on tight timelines. Purpose-Driven IT: Understanding the human impact behind healthcare tech—why digital tools exist to serve patients and their families. Navigating Career Transitions: Knowing when it’s time to step up, when to move on, and mastering the art of letting go into retirement. Follow & Subscribe:Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insights from top industry leaders!#Leadership #ServantLeadership #HealthcareIT #CIO #EmotionalIntelligence #TechLeadership #EpicSystems #TeamStrategy #RetirementTransition #Mentorship

Pursuing a stable job and embarking on a business venture are two distinct paths that necessitate distinct skill sets and attitudes. While a secure job provides certainty and stability, launching a business requires one to take risks and handle ambiguity. It takes a lot of courage, determination, and resilience to jump into a new venture, especially when it involves leaving the comfort of a stable job. One must be prepared to take calculated risks, be adaptable, and embrace the challenges that come with entrepreneurship. As a result, this course of action is not for the faint of heart, and those who choose to undertake it must be ready for the ups and downs that come with it.“Wayne Lipkus formed his own computer consulting business, Lipkus & Associates Computer Consultants Inc. in 1988.He has designed and created numerous computer software programs for several different industries; such as, Field Service, Food Production, Engineering, Financial, R&D and Legal. He created the Network Anti-counterfeiting Tracking and Enforcement (N.A.T.E.) computer system to track information on thousands of suspected and confirmed infringers, the S.A.M.S (Structured Asset Management System) to help engineers out in the field and the GoTrade365 Field Service ERP Software solution.Wayne credits his success with the wonderful people he has been lucky to have worked with over the years. Individuals from all over globe and in countries like Canada, USA, South America, Latin America, India and Ukraine, have all contributed to his growth both professionally and personally.Wayne loves the excitement of new ventures and relishes in the creative process.When not working Wayne loves spending time with his family first and playing hockey and skiing to clear the mind.”www.gotrade365.com

What does it take to lead at the absolute edge of technological innovation? 🚀In this episode of the Leaders in Tech Podcast, host David Mansilla is joined by Chris Murphy, a technology leader representing the CTO Office (EMEA) at Viavi Solutions. Chris shares fascinating insights into the invisible infrastructure powering our connected world, the imminent rise of 6G and quantum networks, and what these shifts mean for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and remote teams.Whether you're curious about the mechanics of modern telecommunications or trying to navigate leadership in an AI-driven era, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and mind-bending discussions.KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:Building Resilient Infrastructure: Why stress-testing your systems (and your business) in the lab prevents real-world disasters.The Evolution to 6G & Open RAN: How flexible, decoupled networks are changing global connectivity.Quantum Computing & Post-Quantum Security: The upcoming threats to encryption and how industries are preparing today.Leading in the Age of AI: Empowering software developers and teams to adapt as AI tools transform the workplace.The Human Side of Remote Work: Balancing the freedom of global, dispersed teams with the need for authentic human connection.Subscribe to the Leaders in Tech Podcast for more inspiring conversations with technology pioneers and business leaders shaping tomorrow!#TechLeadership #5G #6G #Telecommunications #OpenRAN #QuantumComputing #Cybersecurity #FutureOfTech #RemoteWork #Podcast #LeadersInTech

Welcome to another episode of Leaders in Tech hosted by David Mansilla! In this episode, we welcome Thom Langford, air CTO at Rapid7 and former CISO at Publicis Groupe and Velonetic. Thom takes us through his fascinating career path—from early days setting up 640K memory PCs and Vax VMS systems to building enterprise cybersecurity programs from scratch. Beyond tech stacks and vulnerability management, Thom opens up about his personal battle with burnout and addiction, offering powerful lessons on mental health, leadership, and setting workplace boundaries. Key Takeaways & What You’ll Learn:The Security Paradox: Why absolute security stops business innovation, and how CISOs must manage compromise and complexity. Unconventional Career Paths: How a corporate identity theft crisis launched Thom’s CISO career. Mental Health in Cybersecurity: Overcoming burnout, dealing with "secrets and failure," and why normalizing mental health discourse saves careers. Empathetic Leadership: The rule of "Public Support, Private Correction," providing air cover for your team, and leading with trust. Work-Life Balance: Practical strategies for tech professionals, including learning to decline unnecessary meetings and setting hard boundaries. 🔔 Subscribe & Stay Connected:If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Leaders in Tech!#Cybersecurity #CISO #Rapid7 #LeadersInTech #ITLeadership #ThreatIntelligence #VulnerabilityManagement #MentalHealthInTech #ExecutiveLeadership #WorkLifeBalance #TechPodcast #IncidentResponse #BusinessContinuity #CareerJourney #EmpathyInLeadership