Update, April 14, 2023: IT Director Aldrich Varilla was announced as winner of the 2023 Houston Corporate award at the ORBIE Award Ceremony.
Celebrating digital progress
For over 20 years, the CIO ORBIE Awards have recognized technology executives for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and vision, and are one of the top technology executive recognition programs in the US.
Finalists and winners are selected through a rigorous, independent judging process led by prior ORBIE recipients and CIO’s, based upon:
• Leadership and management effectiveness
• Business value created by technology innovation
• The size and scope of responsibilities
• Engagement in industry and community endeavors
Nominees and finalists are classified into different categories based on the metrics of their respective companies. Aldrich was nominated in the Corporate category, alongside CIOs from five prominent corporate firms ranging from medical centers to construction services:
Introducing Aldrich Varilla
Aldrich Varilla and the OTUS team play a key role in the ongoing Multi-year Digital Transformation Program at our US terminals, which aim to mature our organization while applying innovative technology solutions to reduce costs, increase efficiency, maintain the highest safety standards, and lay the groundwork for future business scalability and growth.
“We are fortunate in Odfjell to have a team of highly talented and competent colleagues, and I am very pleased to see that this also receive external recognition. Through OTUS's ongoing digitalization initiatives, Aldrich and his team have accomplished a great deal and we have already started reaping the benefits of the project through increased operational efficiency.”
- Adrian Lenning, Managing Director, Odfjell Terminals
Photo of the Houston Terminal, site of the OTUS DT Project
In addition to his work at OTUS, Aldrich has made considerable contributions to the local community in Houston over many years. He has been involved in mentoring and educating children through the Big Brother Big Sister program, and he serves on the Board of the La Salle Sisters non-profit Vietnamese school.
His organizational and transformational accomplishments, combined with his engagement in the IT profession and various charity projects, are some of the reasons weighed by the ORBIE award jury when nominating him as a finalist.
Aldrich himself forwards the credit to his team:
“I’m deeply humbled to be a finalist for the ORBIE award. I sincerely credit this directly to the IT Team, Business Partners and Supportive Leadership.
Digital Transformation isn’t just about throwing cutting-edge technology at an organization but intimately understanding the challenges and pain points of each department, balancing the empathy and commercial value associated to derive best fit solutions tailored for us. Our team understood those principles and undeniably committed 100%.”
- Aldrich Varilla
In elite company
Just making it through the preliminary rounds of the ORBIE awards is a huge accomplishment. The finalists are chosen through an independent peer review process led by previous ORBIE winners, which adds to the awards’ credibility and integrity. The nominees are subjected to a rigorous evaluation process prior to potentially receiving the award. Their efforts must be documented and confirmed by coworkers and employers, leaving nothing to chance.
This year, the jury received over 180 nominations from a range of business areas and industries. The caliber of the nominated CIOs and CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers) demonstrates the high level of digital expertise in Houston. Of the 180, 36 finalists were elected, and by that recognized by their peers as the best in their field.
In a prestigious Award Ceremony, the winner will be revealed on April 14. Nearly 400 technology professionals and business leaders are expected to attend this premier event honoring CIO and CISO leadership and innovation success.
