Transforming Franchises Through Technology

Imre Szenttornyay is the Founder and CEO of Cielo. Since 2009, he has established the company as a leader in technology solutions, specializing in systems integration and managed services for multi-unit franchises. In his role, Imre focuses on driving innovation and leveraging the SmartFranchise Framework, which he developed to scale multi-unit franchise businesses through technology, automation, and business intelligence.

Under his leadership, Cielo IT has been recognized as an Inc. 500 company for three consecutive years, an MSP 500 company, and a CRN NextGen 250 company. With 30 years of international business development experience,

Imre is an Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, a member of the Forbes Technology Council, and an IT consulting expert with extensive nearshore software development, multi unit franchise and real estate development experience. Imre holds a B.S. in Management, M.Sci in Leadership and is completing his Ph.D in Organizational Leadership.

Kris Kroona serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Cielo. He brings over 20 years of experience in finance, growth strategy, and M&A to Cielo’s executive team. Kris has served as a financial leader through three successful exits and five fundraising rounds and was a leader in the utilization of AI and deep analytics in private equity due diligence for PWC. Kris earned a B.S. in Finance from Iowa State University and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Iowa.

Brian Precious brings over 25 years of experience in marketing strategy, consulting, lead generation and team leadership to Cielo’s executive team. He specializes in developing go-to-market strategies and growing sales and marketing teams for clients across software, clean technology, higher education, and professional services industries. Brian earned a B.S. in Management Information Systems and an M.B.A. in marketing, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Shannon Anderson is the Vice President of Client Relationships at Cielo, where he has been a pivotal part of the team since the company’s inception. With over 20 years of experience in senior leadership roles across various industries, Shannon brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his position. His commitment to fostering strong client partnerships and driving strategic initiatives has been instrumental in Cielo’s growth and success. Shannon’s extensive background and passion for client engagement make him a valuable asset to the organization and its clients.

James is a seasoned technology leader with 20+ years of experience driving innovation across diverse domains, including adtech, martech, e-commerce, and cybersecurity. He holds an MBA, BSBM, and is a certified AI Solutions Architect. James thrives on leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve complex business challenges.

Chris brings more than 20 years of sales experience to his role at Cielo. He has a passion for marrying his clients’ business goals and objectives with right-sized technology solutions that allow businesses to scale as they grow. His deep experience in AI-first platforms helps him navigate the complexities of disruptive technologies to help his clients succeed.

Michael brings over 30 years of experience in IT business management, specializing in the integration of software and hardware solutions to enhance operational efficiency. With a robust foundation in IT and a passion for problem-solving, he effectively leverages technology-driven solutions across various industries. For 25 years, he successfully owned and managed his own IT company before joining the CieloIT team, where he continues to drive innovation and excellence.

Rolando is a seasoned IT and business management professional with over a decade of experience in strategic development, product development, and team leadership. As Director of Managed Services, he has successfully transformed operations into efficient and profitable solutions for clients. His background includes roles such as Business Architect, Managed Services Manager, and IT Operations Manager. Rolando is skilled in relationship management, budget oversight, and process optimization and brings a forward-thinking approach to operational improvement through AI and cybersecurity integration.

Nick Morales has over 15 years of project management experience and over 10 years in IT. He has successfully led teams in completing hundreds of IT-focused projects, prioritizing agile project management methodologies that deliver projects on time and budget without compromising on quality. He excels at customer service and communication and takes pride in his time management and organization skills.