Chris Laping

Chris Laping is a 4-time CIO and best-selling author with 30 years of information technology, change leadership, and organizational health experience. His book, People Before Things, debuted at #2 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases in 2016 and has routinely hit the best-seller list over the last 5 years.

He has enjoyed 16 years as a Chief Information/Innovation Officer at companies like Coffee & Bagel Brands, GMAC, Statera, and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. During his tenure at Red Robin, he was also responsible for Business Transformation and helped lead a successful turnaround of an $8 stock to $89.

Chris cofounded People Before Things, a boutique consulting and coaching firm that helps clients support change and innovation. People Before Things is also a CAPA Pro affiliate of Patrick Lencioni’s Table Group and provides proven approaches to build cohesive teams and improve organizational health.

Chris has received several awards for his work, including The Economist’s Top 5 Social Business Leader and InformationWeek’s Social Business Technology Leader. He was also named as a ComputerWorld Premier 100 IT Leader and is the recipient of three InfoWorld 100 awards.

Chris is originally from Jacksonville, FL. He received a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems at Florida State University and his Master of Business Administration at the University of Florida.