I am proud to announce that Aaron Martin is the first graduate of the Fractional Executive Certification Program and is now officially a Certified Fractional Executive. As a member of our founding cohort, Aaron brought thoughtful questions, extensive executive experience, and a genuine commitment to strengthening his fractional practice. Aaron is the Founder of Glass River Technologies and a Technology Clarity Advisor for growing nonprofits. He helps nonprofit leaders better understand: • What technology they currently have • Where risks and gaps may exist • Which issues deserve attention first • How technology investments can better support the organization’s mission With more than 25 years of experience as a CIO, CTO, and CISO, Aaron brings the strategic perspective of an experienced technology executive without requiring an organization to hire a full-time executive. His work begins with assessment and clarity, rather than immediately recommending new systems or solutions. From there, he helps organizations strengthen governance, identify risks, reduce complexity, and develop a practical technology roadmap. Aaron, congratulations on becoming our first Certified Fractional Executive. It has been a privilege to watch you refine your positioning, offers, proposals, and plans throughout the program. I am excited to see what comes next for you and Glass River Technologies. View Aaron’s verified certification here: https://credsverse.com/credentials/621c252f-535f-42fc-bb87-cb5ff83b78ef Please join me in congratulating @Aaron Martin on this accomplishment. Learn more about our next cohort, beginning September 3rd, and how to receive access to it: https://fractionalexecutiveconnection.com/certification/ (VIP membership tier, and Premier tier members of 1+ years receive complimentary access.) #CertifiedFractionalExecutive #FractionalExecutive #FractionalLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #TechnologyStrategy #CIO #CTO #CISO

Aaron Martin will be in the hotseat on Thursday. Attached is his newest proposal of services. It would be great if you could review it before the meeting.

I have a question for our community here. As independents and fractional business owners I am sure you are watching expenses and what subscriptions you are paying monthly and annually for. I have tried to be very diligent in tracking subscriptions, and I always maintain a "lapse list" - certain subscriptions that I am willing to let expire and then see what falls apart. Others can never be allowed to lapse (for example the subscriptions keeping my website and email online). What are some tools and subscriptions you absolutely swear by? What are the ones you'll want to cut first when it's time to tighten purse strings? For me the critical ones are: 1) Google workspace (for my domain, email, and some of the AI stuff) 2) Google One (Cloud backup of critical information) 3) Cellphone plans Ones that I am using but don't consider critical at the moment: 4) Claude 5) Gamma.app (built most of my original collateral on it, but looking at phasing it out) 6) RedZone (this is a new and specific one that a marketing team I have engaged requires, if you are interested I can discuss this more) Ones that I am toying with letting lapse: 7) Zoom premium Ones that I have let expire: 8) Fireflies.ai 9) LinkedIn Premium (but will probably reinstate) I am sure there are other things I am missing. Also this is not necessarily ALL my operational expenses, I also have budgets for AI API usage across different platforms. But I am trying to keep subscriptions lean.

A business owner asks you for a quick 30-minute, "Just to pick your brain" call. (Or offers to take you to lunch.) No scope, no intro call, just advice. What do you do?

Serving on the Board of Directors at NW Works has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. NW Works is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, along with others facing barriers to employment, through meaningful work, skill development, and community engagement. As Chair of the Technology Committee, I've had the opportunity to work alongside an incredible board and leadership team committed to strengthening the organization and expanding its impact. Like many nonprofit boards, our work extends well beyond governance. We've been focused on strategic initiatives, organizational sustainability, and helping position NW Works for continued growth. As part of that work, we're currently searching for our next President & CEO. We're looking for a leader who can build on a strong foundation, inspire our staff and community partners, and help advance our mission of empowerment through employment. If you know someone with nonprofit executive leadership experience who is passionate about workforce development, disability inclusion, and building mission-driven organizations, I'd appreciate you sharing this opportunity with them. Finding the right leader is one of the most important responsibilities a board has, and I'm excited about what lies ahead for NW Works. The open position is listed here