The Public Sector Show by TechTables #216: From Coast Guard to CIO — Craig Hopkins on Purpose-Driven Leadership in San Antonio
#216: From Coast Guard to CIO — Craig Hopkins on Purpose-Driven Leadership in San Antonio
Episode Highlights
What if the secret to transformational leadership isn’t being the smartest person in the room, but being the “humble gardener” who grows others? In this episode, San Antonio CIO Craig Hopkins shares why “we’re not IT professionals, we’re operational leaders,” how small behaviors compound into culture, and what it really means to build teams with purpose. From Team of Teams to One Mission, this episode is packed with practical frameworks — a true masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.
(02:00) From Coast Guard to CIO: Finding Purpose in Service
(04:00) USAA’s 20-Year Leadership Lab: Five Careers, One Company
(08:00) A Costly Lesson at Sea: How Tragedy Shaped Craig’s View of Leadership
(14:00) Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World
(16:00) One Mission: How Leaders Unite a Team of Teams
(19:00) Behaviors → Character → Culture: How Small Actions Shape Organizations (for Better or Worse)
(25:00) The Humble Gardener: Why Great CIOs Cultivate People, Not Control Them
Links Mentioned
Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by General Stanley McChrystal
One Mission: How Leaders Build a Team of Teams by Chris Fussell
🔥 Want more from the 2024 Houston Podcast Tour? Check out four binge-worthy episodes you can’t miss.
#205: From Hurricane Harvey to Beryl: Houston's "One Family" Emergency Response
#204: Why Texas DMV Chose $6M in Planning Over $150M (Plus TDLR's 25-Program Modernization)
#203: UHCL's 6-Week Leadership Pivot + AI Student Concierge + NASA Innovation Culture
Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:
1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter: Get early access to new episodes, insights, and event updates — straight to your inbox.
Join now: https://www.techtables.com/
2. 🤝 The Collaboratory: The Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory is a 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community where you can connect, share strategies, and drive innovation alongside peers through monthly virtual meetings and our annual national event.
Learn more: https://techtables.com/collaboratory
3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual Series: Where CXOs and partners solve real challenges, share lessons learned, and spark innovation — together.
Join companies like Dell, SentinelOne, Polimorphic, and more that are joining the conversation.
📧 Interested? Email Joe at joe@techtables.com
Brought to you by:
SentinelOne—Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.
Verizon Frontline—The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.
Carahsoft—The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!
Connect
🤝 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/
🐦 Connect on Twitter: https://x.com/thejoetoste
🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/
📽️ Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@techtables
Get full access to TechTables at techtables.substack.com/subscribe