Proud Mesa Chamber of Commerce Member

Fractional CIO, CTO & CISO leadership for Phoenix area small and mid-sized business

Based in Mesa and rooted in the East Valley, BAERHQ works directly with Phoenix area SMB teams to bring leadership to technology decisions so systems, spending, and execution support how the business is growing.

Serving Mesa, the East Valley, and the Phoenix metro area — with engagements available across Arizona.

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Experienced executive technology leadership for your business.

Led federal technology strategy, modernization, and governance programs at a national scale, including work supporting multi-billion dollar initiatives and executive-level decision making.

You work directly with Chad Jason Baer. There are no junior handoffs.

Fractional CIO

Aligns technology decisions to business priorities. Brings structure to spend, planning, and executive reporting.

Fractional CTO

Ensures systems and solutions are architected to support where the business is going, not just where it is now.

Fractional CISO

Defines practical security posture based on real risk, not checklist compliance.

What the first 30 days typically look like as your fractional executive

The pace and depth depend on the level of coverage. The goal is the same: get decisions unstuck and establish a workable operating cadence.

ORIENTATION

DAYS 01-10

Confirm priorities, constraints, and decision owners

Quick read of systems, vendors, and current initiatives

Identify the few issues creating drag or risk

DECISION MAP

DAYS 10-20

Clarify what needs to be decided in the first 30-90 days

Pressure-test spend, risk, and delivery realities

Align leadership on what "good" looks like near term

OPERATING CADENCE

DAYS 20-30

Establish a simple rhythm for decisions and reporting

Define the next move: governance, roadmap, or interim coverage

Leave you with a practical plan your team (and partners) can execute

When leaders bring us in

If any of these feel familiar, a short conversation can help you to determine your next move:

Your technology complexity is increasing without a clear strategy
You have an MSP led operating model
You are dependent on vendor roadmaps for technology direction
Security demands are prevalent but you have no clear owner
Technology initiatives are not producing expected business results
Your governance and compliance landscape has changed
Experiencing Interim executive coverage or leadership turnover or
You are ready to build a technology leadership team and staff

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you replace our MSP or internal IT lead?

No. BAERHQ is not an MSP, and we don’t work for your MSP. We work for the owner/CEO as part of the leadership team. Our responsibility is to develop the technology strategy and guide execution. This includes setting direction, defining priorities, and establishing the decision-making discipline needed to support a growing business. We provide the leadership your technology team (internal and external) needs. Then we help your MSPs, vendors, and IT lead execute that direction with clear governance and accountability.

When is fractional leadership the right fit?

When the business has outgrown its technology, or the technology sprawl has outgrown the business. There may be “someone managing IT” but the organization isn’t ready, or doesn’t want, to hire a full-time CIO/CTO/CISO yet.

It’s also a strong fit when decisions are getting made by default (vendors, MSPs, or internal politics) without a clear owner or direction, and leadership needs a steady hand to set priorities, manage risk, and create an operating cadence.

What's the difference between fractional CIO / CTO and a vCIO / vCTO?

“vCIO/vCTO” is often delivered/provided through an MSP model — advisory guidance that supports the managed services relationship. Fractional leadership is typically more embedded and independent: you’re bringing executive ownership, governance, and decision-making on behalf of You and the business: coordinating across MSPs, vendors, and internal teams to drive outcomes.

Start with a focused 30-minute conversation

We'll discuss your situation and leave you with a clear next move.