What do the Exchange and the 2026 ORBIE Dallas CIO Awards have in common? They both know what exceptional IT leadership looks like.
This year, Exchange Chief Information Officer Chad Lucas has been named a finalist in the Global category for the 2026 Dallas CIO ORBIE Awards. Nearly 400 Chief Information Officers in the area were nominated for the award, but only 35 advanced as finalists.
Nominees for the Dallas CIO ORBIE Awards are evaluated by previous winners on three key traits:
- Leadership and management effectiveness.
- Business value created by technology innovation.
- Engagement in industry and community endeavors.
Lucas’ inclusive leadership style, paired with his team’s determination and innovation, has earned him recognition as one of the best IT leaders in Dallas.
His approach to leadership is centered on collaboration and shared problem solving.
“We have created a culture where people aren’t afraid to fail and are willing to think differently,” Lucas said.
Lucas joined the Exchange in 2001 as a computer programmer after earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Texas A&M University, and he has led the IT directorate as CIO since 2020.
The ORBIE Awards shine a spotlight on the people behind technological advancements – the leaders who drive progress, inspire teams and shape the future.
“Chad has been a transformative leader,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “This award showcases his dedication to organizational success of the IT Directorate and the heroes we serve.”
Under Lucas’ leadership, his team delivered several major advancements—including deploying more than 1,600 self‑checkout registers across nearly 500 stores in 2023; upgrading e‑commerce systems with new technologies such as artificial intelligence to enhance the customer experience and strengthen the Exchange’s competitive edge in 2024; and introducing robotics in major distribution centers to streamline operations, reduce costs and speed product delivery in 2025.
Winners for the 2026 Dallas CIO ORBIE Awards will be announced Feb. 27.
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