Fifteen Years of Service, Trust, and Technology That Works
🎧Listen to the Founders: Craig Walicek and Bill Garrett share how CIO Technology Solutions began, what has kept them grounded, and where they see the future of IT heading.
Fifteen years ago, CIO Technology Solutions started with the simple belief that businesses deserve an IT partner that understands both technology and people.
On November 12, 2010, founders Craig Walicek and Bill Garrett launched what would become one of Tampa Bay’s most trusted managed service providers. Today, CIO Technology Solutions helps organizations across healthcare, finance, legal, construction, and professional services stay secure, productive, and ahead of change.
“We wanted to build a company that actually understands what a business needs,” says Craig. “We came from the corporate world where poor support and slow response times were the norm. CIO Technology Solutions was built to change that.”
The company’s story is not just about technology. It is about the relationships built with hundreds of Tampa Bay businesses that depend on CIO Technology Solutions to keep their teams connected, their data secure, and their operations running every day.
Built by Business Leaders, Not Just Tech Experts
Before founding CIO Technology Solutions, Craig worked in IT and Bill in operations. This unique blend of skills gave them a clear understanding of what businesses expect from technology partners: accountability, clear communication, and a sense of urgency.
“Our clients invest in IT not just to protect data but to strengthen their core business,” Bill explains. “We help them use technology as a competitive advantage.”
That customer-centric mindset continues to separate CIO Technology Solutions from larger, impersonal providers. Every recommendation is made through a business lens first, ensuring technology always serves the mission and goals of the organization it supports.
From the beginning, the goal was never to be the biggest IT provider in Tampa. It was to be the most reliable and trusted partner that delivers outcomes to its customers.
What Keeps CIO Technology Solutions Ahead
Technology changes quickly, but the company’s priorities have remained the same: proactive management, clear communication, and a relentless focus on service quality.
Fifteen years later, the company continues to evolve. From early server management to advanced cybersecurity, co-managed IT, and AI-driven automation. CIO Technology Solutions keeps businesses ready for whatever comes next.
“AI is creating a lot of new opportunities,” Craig says. “We’re using it to automate repetitive tasks and make our team more efficient. But even with all that change, people have not changed. It still comes down to communication, trust, and doing what you say you will do.”
Behind every ticket, system, and strategy is a deep understanding that technology is only as strong as the people behind it.
Behind the Scenes: The Iceberg Effect
Most clients see the visible part of support: quick responses, clear updates, and issues resolved on the first call. What they rarely see is the deep coordination happening behind the scenes that makes it all possible.
“It is like an iceberg,” Craig explains. “What clients experience on the surface is only a fraction of what is happening underneath. Our team is constantly maintaining, testing, and improving systems so everything runs smoothly day-to-day.”
The unseen work includes constant patching, 24/7 monitoring, cybersecurity analysis, and proven tool updates that keep Tampa Bay businesses secure. This quiet efficiency is what gives clients confidence to focus on their own growth instead of IT problems.
Above the iceberg, Clients are greeted by personable and knowledgeable technicians who work hard to solve issues on the first call. Beneath the iceberg, CIO Technology Solutions has engineers and account managers doing the work that keeps clients safe and secure, and helps prevent future issues.
When Reliability Matters Most: The Bay Area Pool Story
CIO Technology Solutions has seen just about everything that can happen in IT, but one story stands out as a reminder of what true partnership looks like.
Years ago, Bay Area Pool Service faced a major crisis when heavy rain caused their Tampa office to flood over a holiday weekend. Their entire customer service team was suddenly without phones or computers, and the business risked being offline for days.
“I got a call on Sunday morning that their office had flooded,” Craig recalls. “They had a full customer service department that needed to be back up and running by Monday morning.”
Instead of waiting for the office to dry out, CIO Technology Solutions took immediate action. The team opened their own doors, setting up workstations and phones at their headquarters so Bay Area Pool’s employees could continue taking customer calls.
“We brought ten of their staff into our office, set up their systems, and had them running by Monday morning,” says Craig. “They did not miss a single call.”
That recovery was possible because Bay Area Pool’s systems were already migrated to CIO Technology Solutions’ hosted infrastructure. Even in a total office outage, their data and tools were protected and ready to deploy anywhere.
It was a powerful example of why preparation matters. With proactive planning and a responsive IT partner, Bay Area Pool stayed operational through what could have been a devastating business interruption.
A People-First Approach
While the tools and technology have advanced, CIO Technology Solutions has never lost sight of what matters most: people. The company’s success is built on long-term relationships with clients who trust the team to handle critical systems with care and urgency.
“Technology alone cannot solve problems,” says Bill. “Our clients are real people running real businesses. We know them personally, and that connection helps us deliver better service.”
The same philosophy applies internally. The company invests heavily in employee growth, creating a culture where engineers, help desk staff, and account managers work collaboratively to deliver consistent quality. That teamwork has made CIO Technology Solutions one of the most respected MSPs in the Tampa Bay region.
Fifteen Years of Gratitude and Growth
“Our team shows up, does the work, and takes care of clients the right way,” Craig adds. “Their consistency is what has built our reputation. To our customers, thank you for trusting us. We do not take that lightly.”
The company’s reputation has grown through word of mouth, long-term partnerships, and referrals from business owners who appreciate dependable service. CIO Technology Solutions has expanded across Tampa Bay, providing managed IT services, co-managed IT support, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and compliance consulting that help businesses operate with confidence.
Each project, whether it involves a small office or a multi-site enterprise, receives the same level of care and attention to detail that has defined the company since day one.
Looking Forward
The next 15 years will bring even more change to the IT industry, but CIO Technology Solutions is prepared for it. With a focus on AI-enhanced tools, next-generation cybersecurity, and business-driven innovation, the company continues to strengthen its position as a trusted partner for Tampa Bay organizations.
“We have come a long way,” says Bill. “But our mission has not changed: networks, computers, and people, with emphasis on people.”
Let’s Talk About Your IT Future
CIO Technology Solutions is proud to be a Top Tampa MSP trusted by businesses that value reliability, responsiveness, and results.
If your organization is ready for an IT partner that feels like part of your team, let’s talk.
Schedule a Consultation with our team at CIO Technology Solutions today.
Top Tampa MSP – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes CIO Technology Solutions one of the top MSPs in Tampa Bay?
A: CIO Technology Solutions stands out because of its people-first approach and proven track record. The team delivers fast, reliable service with clear communication and local accountability. Every client gets access to enterprise-level tools and cybersecurity protections, supported by a Tampa-based staff that cares about doing the job right.
Q: What industries does CIO Technology Solutions specialize in?
A: CIO Technology Solutions serves a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, law, construction, manufacturing, and professional services. Each engagement is tailored to the client’s specific compliance, workflow, and security requirements.
Q: Why is working with a local Tampa MSP important?
A: Partnering with a local MSP means faster response times, clear communication, and a better understanding of local business needs. CIO Technology Solutions is 100% U.S.-based, with every team member located right here in Tampa Bay.
Q: How does CIO Technology Solutions help businesses prevent downtime?
A: CIO Technology Solutions takes a proactive approach to IT management. The team monitors systems around the clock, applies updates and patches before issues occur, and uses advanced alerting tools to detect early signs of trouble. This proactive model keeps Tampa Bay businesses online and prevents costly disruptions.
Q: What cybersecurity protections does CIO Technology Solutions provide?
A: Security is built into every service plan. CIO Technology Solutions provides managed detection and response, endpoint protection, phishing defense, data backup, and compliance support for regulations such as HIPAA and PCI. Tampa businesses gain enterprise-grade protection without the cost or complexity of managing it in-house.
