Terrible's

Brad Sexton, Chief Information Officer, Terrible's

Brad Sexton is an IT executive celebrated for his expertise in bridging technology with business objectives. His background spans significant achievements in digital transformation, team development, and operational optimization across various industries. Sexton’s leadership style emphasizes collaboration and innovation, driving the successful adoption of new technologies and ensuring organizations remain competitive in dynamic marketplaces.

Leadership Evolution

Looking back on my career, it is clear to me that versatility and adaptability play central roles in effective leadership, especially at the intersection of information technology and security. My professional path began with the military overseas. There, the nature of my assignments meant that IT projects often existed under intense scrutiny with strict security controls. While most people see these as distinct areas, my responsibilities almost always intertwine technology operations with security management. This combined approach became second nature to me.

Upon returning to the U.S., I found myself in environments where these dual responsibilities remained crucial. Working with government agencies, I juggled both highly regulated systems and everyday corporate IT requirements. Later, I brought these skills into roles with police departments and academic institutions. Everywhere I went, I learned to implement policies that protected information while still enabling the organization to function seamlessly.

As my career progressed, I took a more concentrated focus on security, crafting new departments and compliance strategies, particularly in the private sector. Building a SOC-compliant environment at Tao Group Hospitality from the ground up is an experience I draw upon often. I managed all aspects, from constructing the security architecture to embedding compliance into everyday operations. Returning to academia as a Chief Information Security Officer, I worked closely with the CIO, which reinforced the importance of close collaboration between technology and security leadership.

Enterprise Risk Management

Before my current position, my work at Wynn Resorts Las Vegas focused on security operations, where I handled responsibilities like incident response and automating identity and access management. These varied chapters gave me a comprehensive view of enterprise needs, making it easier for me to design strategies where security supports and does not hinder technology objectives.

One clear advantage of such a broad background is the ability to see risk and operational needs from multiple perspectives. Every industry implements controls differently, sometimes with success and sometimes with mixed results. Having seen how financial services, retail, education, and hospitality each approach risk, I have learned to construct conversations that bridge the gap between technical details and business outcomes. I find it particularly valuable to frame technology or security-related concerns in a language that resonates with any business unit, ensuring clarity regardless of who is sitting across the table.

Securing Digital Transformation

Digital transformation presents both tremendous opportunities and familiar challenges, particularly in highly regulated industries. Today, there is an enormous push to leverage artificial intelligence as a tool to gain efficiencies at scale. My role is often to temper the rush toward adopting new technologies by shining a light on the risks that come with them. Too often, organizations become enamored with the promise of AI but neglect to consider resilient governance policies or the potential pitfalls until they are already affected.

“I find it particularly valuable to frame technology or security-related concerns in a language that resonates with any business unit, ensuring clarity regardless of who is sitting across the table.”

I make sure our teams begin by defining clear objectives and then identify which guardrails to establish so that no unintended data exposure or overreach occurs. Recent well-publicized incidents, such as AI-driven platforms sharing inappropriate content, have provided timely examples I use to drive home the need for proactive policies and strong oversight. These conversational touchpoints help bring everyone together in building frameworks that support both innovation and protection.

Future Tech and Innovation

Looking ahead, I see rapid technological change continuing to reshape enterprise IT. AI is just the tip of the iceberg. Its ability to optimize processes will soon bring forth new ideas for developing platforms and streamlining operations. Efficiencies will emerge as once-disparate tools are integrated into unified solutions, easing the technology burden on businesses. Just as industries consolidate and refine their offerings over time, technology will become more streamlined, bringing formerly compartmentalized functions under a single umbrella. With each wave of automation, roles will evolve, and people will continue to find new ways to add value, as the focus shifts from repetitive tasks to strategic problem-solving.

At the same time, vast troves of data fill organizations, inspiring both excitement and frustration. I believe data is only valuable when it can be accessed quickly, is of high quality, and aligns with decision-making moments. Efforts at our organization currently revolve around creating infrastructure that unifies all data streams. The aim is to make the right information accessible to every leader and frontline worker, creating a foundation for advanced analytics tools and AI to thrive. This transformation empowers us to react quickly and accurately in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Words to Lead By

For fellow technology and security leaders grappling with the interplay of innovation, compliance, and business resilience, my core advice is simple: listen actively and inclusively. Innovative ideas, practical solutions, and fresh perspectives can come from anyone, regardless of department or title. Making space for these contributions ensures better decisions and often uncovers the finishing touch needed to solve even the most complex problems. In the industries where technology and security are constantly shifting, creating a listening culture is fundamental for sustained success.