--- title: James Tramel description: James Tramel, CIO at TESCO, shares his journey from software development to leading technology strategy. Discover his insights on AI, growth mindset, and the future of tech leadership. image: https://www.theciocircle.com/hubfs/James%20Tramel.png --- [![Black CIO Circle logo-2](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png?width=160&height=60&name=Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png) ![White CIO Circle logo](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20CIO%20Circle%20logo.png?width=160&height=60&name=White%20CIO%20Circle%20logo.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com) [![Black CIO Circle logo-2](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png?width=180&height=68&name=Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com) - [Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Advisory Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Tech Cost Optimisation](https://www.theciocircle.com/tech-cost-optimisation) - [Tech Leadership & Strategy Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/technology-strategy-advisory) - [Community](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - [Community Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - Memberships - [Community Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/community) - [Leader Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-leader) - [Executive Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-executive) - [Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Partners Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Insights](https://www.theciocircle.com/insights) - [Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Advisory Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Tech Cost Optimisation](https://www.theciocircle.com/tech-cost-optimisation) - [Tech Leadership & Strategy Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/technology-strategy-advisory) - [Community](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - [Community](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - [Community Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - Memberships - [Community Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/community) - [Leader Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-leader) - [Executive Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-executive) - [Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Partners Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Insights](https://www.theciocircle.com/insights) [Member Login](https://member.theciocircle.com/wp-login.php) [Join Free](https://www.theciocircle.com/request-access-to-the-cio-circle-community) # James Tramel ![The CIO Circle Editor](https://www.theciocircle.com/hubfs/FAVICON.png) June 27, 2025 **JAMES TRAMEL** ### Chief Information Officer at TESCO ##### **Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself** Lancaster, PA, Chief Information Officer of TESCO. ##### **What has your journey to your position been like? What path have you taken?** I've been in technology for most of my career. I did web design and web work in the .com era, while pursuing a PhD and doing 180 credits in college, before I decided to leave academia and do what I was good at - software.  After a few years consulting, learning networking, CRM and databases, I joined Campbell's Soup in the merging technologies division.  From there, I went to Microsoft for almost a decade working on the Visual Studio, GitHub, Azure, AI and co-pilot teams.   ##### **Has it always been your vision to reach the position you’re at? Was your current role part of your vision to become a tech leader?** I've always wanted to own strategy, lifecycle, and really an entire part of a business, end-to-end.  Growth and building has always been a passion of mine, and doing that end-to-end was important to me. ##### Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey? ##### When I was thinking of leaving Microsoft, I joined NYU's Stern School of Business for my MBA.  The people, mentors, and professors there were all outstanding and helped propel me to this new role. ##### How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years? Technology is always changing and evolving.  I see staying power in AI, which I look at as applied statistics with software and endless data.  I see robotics, IOT, blockchain, self-driving cars, and automation all being around for years to come.   [![CIO Guest interview 2](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CIO%20Guest%20interview%202.png?width=1200&height=600&name=CIO%20Guest%20interview%202.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com/be-featured) **What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?** Understanding that customers and users don't need a newer and better drill, what they really need is a hole.  Results.  ##### **How do you keep current with new skills, technologies and personal development?** Venture capital, private equity, corporate governance, board positions and ownership are next on my horizon - either in the startup or publicly traded world. ##### What has been the biggest challenge you've faced in your career so far, and how did you overcome it? Turnaround businesses are not only the most exciting, but the most challenging.  I've been in the driver's seat more than once, and I've found that getting fundamentals right, back to basics, is critical with a keen eye on what's next. *"Encourage a growth mindset and always learning."* ##### What has been your most significant achievement or proudest moment as a technology leader? 10x growth.  I've done it time and time again, in almost every role I've ever had. ##### How do you ensure that you and your team stay updated with the latest technology trends and industry best practices? Encouraging a growth mindset and always learning.  I'm more worried about a team that doesn't learn and stays than a valuable asset that learns and leaves.  I want everyone around me to be their best selves and strive for excellence. **Can you share a book that has the most profound impact on shaping your professional journey and approach as a leader?**   ![71cNQDuBsGL.\_SL1500\_](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/71cNQDuBsGL._SL1500_.jpg?width=267&height=405&name=71cNQDuBsGL._SL1500_.jpg) **Relentless by Tim Grover**   For more than two decades, legendary trainer Tim Grover has taken the greats - Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and hundreds of relentless competitors in sports, business, and every walk of life - and made them greater.   Now, for the first time ever, he reveals what it takes to achieve total mental and physical dominance, showing you how to be relentless and achieve whatever you desire. Grover gives you the same advice he gives his world-class clients - “don’t think” - and shows you that anything is possible.   A big thank you to [James Tramel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-tramel/)from [TESCO](https://www.tescometering.com/)for sharing his journey to date. If you would like to gain more perspective from Tech Leaders and CIOs you can read some of our other interviews [here](https://theciocircle.com/interviews/). 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[![White CIO Circle logo](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20CIO%20Circle%20logo.png?width=150&height=56&name=White%20CIO%20Circle%20logo.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com) - Tools & Resources - [Our Trusted Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/our-trusted-partners) - [Speakers](https://www.theciocircle.com/speakers) - [Team](https://www.theciocircle.com/our-team) - [Contact Us](https://www.theciocircle.com/contact-the-cio-circle) ©2026 Intercor Transformation Limited T/A The CIO Circle. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.theciocircle.com/privacy-policy) | Terms of Service | FAQ's | Contact - - - ```json { "@context": "http:\/\/schema.org\/", "datePublished": "2025-06-27T7:45:00 AM", "dateModified": "2025-06-27T7:45:00 AM", "headline": "James Tramel", "description": "James Tramel, CIO at TESCO, shares his journey from software development to leading technology strategy. Discover his insights on AI, growth mindset, and the future of tech leadership. 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