For Brad Shaw, CEO of Shaw Technology, the path to leadership started with curiosity and a screwdriver. By age 16, he was already working in IT, turning a hobby into a profession as he dismantled systems just to rebuild them better. What began as a passion for solving technical puzzles evolved into something unexpected—an equal passion for building teams, processes and strategy. Today, Shaw Technology stands as a trusted Managed Service Provider (MSP), delivering not just IT solutions but strategic advantages for clients across industries. At the center of it all is Shaw’s philosophy: pair deep technical expertise with strong leadership to create clarity, accountability and real business outcomes.
What is Shaw Technology’s mission and what sets you apart?
Shaw Technology is a full-service Managed Service Provider (MSP) that partners with businesses to transform technology from a challenge into a strategic advantage, offering end-to-end IT support—covering everything from infrastructure management and cybersecurity to cloud solutions, compliance and strategic technology planning. What sets us apart is how deeply we integrate with our clients’ operations. We’re not just a help desk or outsourced IT vendor—we become an extension of their business. At our core, Shaw Technology exists to bring clarity, structure and results to our clients’ IT environments—so they can focus on what they do best, while knowing their technology is in good hands.
How does your new location reflect your company’s growth?
Montgomery has always been the heart of Shaw Technology. It’s where we started, where our leadership is based and where many of our longest-standing customer relationships were built. The new I-85 facility reflects our ongoing commitment to Montgomery. It provides the infrastructure we need to support a larger, more collaborative team, manage logistics more efficiently and host world-class training, meetings and strategy sessions. This new space isn’t just a building—it’s a launchpad for the next chapter of Shaw Technology.
What’s your day-to-day like as a tech CEO/founder?
No two days look the same, but every day is focused on driving clarity, accountability and progress. I balance high-level strategy with hands-on leadership. A major part of my time is spent in a vCIO role for key customers—helping them make strategic IT decisions and improve their security and operational posture. Above all, my job is to make sure our people have what they need to succeed: clear direction, strong tools and a culture that values excellence, loyalty and follow-through.
What helped shape your leadership style?
The moment I realized that technical skill alone wouldn’t scale the company—people would. I had to transition from being the one solving problems to building a team that could do it better than I could. I leaned into developing others, aligning everyone around a common standard of excellence and creating space for people to lead. That mindset continues to shape how operate: empower great people, define the mission clearly and then get out of the way.
How do you balance innovation with practicality?
Innovation has to create value. I love exploring new tech, but we filter it through a practical lens: Will it improve customer outcomes? Reduce risk? Improve efficiency? We test internally before recommending anything to clients. We stay disciplined about alignment between vision and execution—and we keep our core values front and center: structure, communication and follow-through. We don’t chase trends. We solve real problems with smart, well-tested solutions.
What’s your vision for the company’s future?
Our vision is to become the premier managed service provider in the Southeast— known for technical excellence, operational structure and real business outcomes. We’re scaling with intention. That means expanding into new markets, deepening our cybersecurity, cloud and compliance services and continuing to develop internal leadership and team depth. Growth is inevitable—our job is to make sure it’s sustainable and built on the right foundation.
Personal Matters:
- Recommended Read: Selling the Invisible—a great early read that shaped how I think about service.
- On the Queue: Mostly 90’s rock, but I listen to everything.
- Dinner Date: Theodore Roosevelt. I love history, and he’s one of the most fascinating leaders to study.
- Out of the Office: I love what I do, and I love this team—so truthfully, I don’t stop working. But when I do, it’s usually still centered around family, mentoring or personal growth.
