Biz Compass: What emerging technology are you most excited about?

1. Trae Hoepner

Co-owner, Performance Running Outfitters LLC

“Since we’re in the physical fitness category, technology in medicine is the most exciting for me. New approaches are being developed to make complex procedures less invasive with faster recovery times that can greatly improve quality of life. Also, since I’m a former computer programmer, I geek out about AI-led molecular design and quantum computing.” 

2. Ian Favill

Co-founder and president, Stack41 LLC

“The Industrial Internet of Things is the next big industrial frontier and the next competitive advantage. Manufacturers can save money by making their processes more efficient and can build a direct relationship with their end-user customers by developing new services with new revenue streams.”

3. Brad Lutgen

Partner in charge, cybersecurity, Sikich LLP

“The emerging technologies that excite me center around the proliferation of the Internet of Things. We are only scratching the surface of its impact. As a security professional, the need to secure and anonymize this data will be a key business metric for the majority of organizations we work with for the foreseeable future.”

4. Norm Mackensen

IT director – CISO, Briggs & Stratton Corp.

“I am most excited about the intelligence found in today’s information security software to detect and remediate attacks that have never been previously seen. What this means for me is that the shelf life of this advanced protection will continue to mature and provide information safeguards at the pace of future highly aggressive unknown attacks.”   

5. Al Cervero

Senior vice president, construction, mining & utility, Association of Equipment Manufacturers

“I am most excited about the convergence of multiple technologies. Throughout history, we only had ‘one’ technology at a time. Today we have 3D printing, 5G, AI, IoT, autonomous transportation, magnetic vacuum technology, and the list goes on. The potential for growth and importance of these technologies in manufacturing and construction is exponential.”