What does real IT leadership actually look like?

In this episode of Strategic Syncing, James sits down with Dr. David Benjamin Weems — a former petroleum engineer turned CTO — who transformed one of the most remote school districts in West Texas.

From rebuilding infrastructure and connectivity to solving real-world challenges in education, this conversation goes beyond technology, into leadership, people, and impact.

In this episode:

• The transition from engineering to education leadership

• What it takes to scale technology in real environments

• Why leadership matters more than tools

• The reality of operating in remote and underserved communities

• Confidence vs competency in leadership

This is a candid conversation for IT executives, operators, and anyone building systems that actually need to work in the real world.