Name: Jonathan Xavier Ozovek

Title: Chief Investment Officer and Founder

Organisation: Paladin Investments LLC

Jonathan Xavier Ozovek was the inaugural Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) which was the centralized technology agency for the Commonwealth of Virginia and Deputy CIO for the Commonwealth.

VITA’s first COO, he was a transformational and innovative force, providing a relentless focus for driving customer success through technology by digitally transforming the citizen experience with government. Under his leadership, the agency dramatically improved time to market for new technology services, scaled best-in-class cyber security defenses, launched first-in-the-nation services, and achieved record customer agency satisfaction.

All of this was accomplished while simultaneously driving financial optimization, saving the Commonwealth over $200 million dollars.

Prior to serving the Commonwealth of Virginia, Jonathan has extensive experience in the private sector across the healthcare, consulting, private equity, investment banking, and technology verticals and across the globe. This experience has been across nimble technology startup companies to industry leaders such as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Johnson and Johnson, Becton Dickinson, Siemens Healthcare, and Citibank.

He specializes as a turnaround and transformation executive with a proprietary methodology that delivers measurable outcomes rapidly. This methodology has delivered quantifiable top and bottom-line improvements of over $700 million within a range of 1 to 2 years.

In addition, Jonathan has a penchant for research, development, and innovation with a specialty in artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and machine learning and holds patents in multiple industries including SaaS and Medical Devices.

He is the inventor of the first Cyber Resilience and Resilience as a Service (RaaS) Methodology. Additionally, he has designed and developed systems ranging from a predictive commodity trading system, a medical device research and development Enterprise Program Management (EPM) system, and a cutting-edge last mile logistics platform and SaaS solution.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Jonathan's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

As a leader, one of my most challenging experiences has been balancing the rapid technological advancements with the human element of leadership.

In my roles, particularly as Chief Operating Officer/Deputy CIO for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Technology at a publicly traded SaaS company, and Head of Automation and Technology for Research and Development at a leading medical device company, I navigated complex transformations, integrating cutting-edge technologies while ensuring team engagement and motivation.

The challenge was not just in the technical implementation but in leading change, fostering a culture of innovation, and maintaining high productivity and morale during transitions. Achieving this balance required a nuanced approach to leadership, blending strategic vision with empathetic, effective team management.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

My leadership journey began with an inherent drive and the natural leadership skills I was born with, but it was my endless desire to learn and improve that truly shaped my path. From my earliest roles, I was always keen to take on more responsibility, to challenge the status quo, and to lead by example.

This curiosity and drive led me to seek out opportunities to grow, both in formal educational settings and through hands-on experiences. Leading organizations across many industries and geographies, I continuously honed my skills.

I embraced each new challenge as an opportunity to learn, adapting my approach to leadership with each experience. It's this blend of innate ability and a relentless pursuit of improvement that has defined my leadership journey.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

My day begins very early with a rigorous exercise routine, which is essential for maintaining my physical health and mental clarity. This morning ritual not only energizes me but also helps in center my goals and tasks for the day ahead. After exercising, I review my objectives and priorities, ensuring that my daily activities are aligned with my long-term goals.

My workday is structured around key tasks and meetings, with deliberate breaks to maintain focus and productivity. I end my day by reflecting on the accomplishments and lessons learned, preparing for the next day's challenges. This disciplined approach, combining physical fitness with goal-oriented planning, is vital for my effectiveness and leadership.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

A recent leadership lesson I've been reminded of is the critical importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges. Leading through various roles, including leading the COVID task force for technology during my tenure in state government and the high-stakes environments in the private sector, has reinforced the need to stay flexible.

Circumstances change rapidly, and a leader's ability to pivot and guide their team through uncertainty is invaluable. This lesson has been a cornerstone in navigating complex transformations and sustaining innovation and growth.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

One book that profoundly influenced my leadership is 'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries. This book's principles of agility, innovation, and lean thinking directly informed my approach to founding and growing Paladin Investments and AlphaOmega Tactical and Technology Solutions with minimal initial capital.

By applying the concepts of scope and scale meticulously, I was able to steer these ventures to generate millions in cash flow efficiently. This strategy emphasized the importance of validating business models through iterative learning and adapting quickly to market feedback, which has been crucial in achieving sustainable growth and success.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

If I could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, it would be this: prioritize the growth and well-being of your team above all else.

As a leader, your success is intrinsically tied to the success of your team. Invest in their development, provide support and mentorship, and create an environment where they feel valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential.

By prioritizing the growth and well-being of your team members, you not only cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration but also lay the foundation for long-term success and fulfillment for both yourself and your team.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

Reflecting on my tenure across various leadership roles, a particularly meaningful story that stands out is from my time as Chief Operating Officer/Deputy CIO for the Commonwealth of Virginia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we faced the unprecedented challenge of scaling our technology infrastructure by over tenfold to support a fully remote workforce and ensure critical government functions continued with minimal disruption.

This experience not only tested our technological capabilities but also demanded a rapid, cohesive response from our team. The success of this endeavor was a testament to the power of collective effort, resilience, and innovative thinking. It underscored the critical role of technology in addressing societal challenges and reinforced my belief in the importance of preparedness, adaptability, and leadership in crisis situations.