Chad Hagedorn, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at SFM, is a finalist for an ORBIE Award, which recognizes Minnesota’s top Chief Information Officers (CIOs).

“I was honored, obviously, because I know this award is well recognized in Minnesota and other states for CIO executives,” he said. “Really, in the end, you think back about what has been accomplished and the team members who helped, the great mentors along the way and the support of SFM itself. A strong information technology team doesn’t develop without the support of the entire company.”

Hagedorn is one of a handful of finalists among more than 200 CIOs who were nominated for the award.

The ORBIE Awards are administered by MinnesotaCIO , a group that helps CIOs “maximize their leadership effectiveness, create value, reduce risk and share success.” Finalists and winners are selected by an independent peer review process, with the criteria based on:

• Leadership and management effectiveness
• Business value created by technology innovation
• Engagement in industry and community endeavors

As part of the ORBIE nomination process, Hagedorn had to fill out a form about himself and SFM, as well as larger initiatives the team has achieved, which included:

• Updating SFM’s core enterprise software
• Improving external tools for customers
• Building out a mature cybersecurity program
• Implementing multiple enterprise systems that serve the company, including disaster recovery systems
• Coordinating the working from home transition from the pandemic and the current hybrid office

Also of note, SFM’s cybersecurity program has strengthened under Hagedorn, helping ensure the safety and security of data and network and tools for both the company, agents and policyholders.

“In the end, it’s what the team has done,” Hagedorn said. “Accomplishments are achieved by people pulling in the same direction over the years.”

The 2026 ORBIE Award winner will be announced July 17.