Teddy is the Chief Technology Officer at Land O’Lakes, a leading $20B Fortune 500 farm to fork farmer-owned cooperative. In this role, Teddy leads digital transformation, information technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity/privacy initiatives. Under his leadership, Land O’Lakes has adopted groundbreaking technologies enabling P&L leaders to forge disruptive business models in synergy with tech giants like Microsoft, SAP, and Salesforce. Teddy's strategic acumen in deploying both established and avant-garde technologies has not only yielded an annual $80 million boost in profit margins and over $100 million in cost savings but has also led to the substantial sequestration of 460,000 metric tons of carbon, exemplifying his invaluable contribution to boards seeking technological catalysts for profound organizational transformation. 

Teddy's influence extends to the healthcare sector, where he serves on the Board of Trustees for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS-MN), a $14B health plan. In an industry undergoing rapid transformation, Teddy is the Chair of the Technology and Operations committee, strategically advising BCBS-MN through an era of significant change with the potential to revolutionize patient care delivery. Teddy's additional responsibilities include serving on the Human Resources committee and has previously served on the Corporate Investment and Development Committee. Beyond BCBS-MN, also serves on the boards of Twin Cities PBS (TPT), Genesys Works, and the University of Minnesota Information and Decision Sciences Advisory Board. 

Moreover, as a part-time faculty member at the University of Minnesota, Teddy enriches the academic realm with lectures on digital transformation and artificial intelligence, while also actively participating in shaping state and federal policy, particularly with a focus on the crucial issue of broadband deployment. His tenure as Chair for both the FCC-USDA Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force and the Minnesota Governor’s Broadband Task Force has seen him drive pivotal policy advancements, reflecting his dedication to enhancing connectivity infrastructure across the nation. 

Prior to assuming the role of Chief Technology Officer, Teddy's career was marked by a series of strategic leadership positions. As Vice President of Ag Technology at Land O’Lakes, he was instrumental in developing and commercializing innovative technology platforms that have become industry benchmarks. His tenure at Ingersoll Rand is notable for leading IT Program Management on a global scale and pioneering technology strategies for engineering and innovation. His thought leadership and influence in the realm of technology have been acknowledged by major publications and media outlets, including appearances on 60 Minutes and features in Gartner, BBC, Fortune, and MIT Sloan Management Review. The accolades he has received are a testament to his impact: he was recognized among Precision Ag’s “Top 10 People in Precision Agriculture” in 2016, and WCCO's “Minnesotan to Meet” in 2017. Teddy's commitment to excellence was further solidified by the Twin Cities 2022 Outstanding Directors award for his service to Blue Cross Blue Shield and by earning the prestigious 2022 MinnesotaCIO ORBIE® CIO Leadership and the 2023 Forbes CIO Next 50 awards. 

Teddy was born in Ethiopia, moved to Italy in 1985, and later to the United States in 1993, bringing with him a wealth of diverse cultural experiences that enrich his approach to global business strategy. He holds an MBA from Indiana University and a BS in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University. He has lived on three different continents and speaks fluent Italian and Amharic. Teddy’s life story underscores the value of diversity in leadership and the power of a mindset to drive change.