A Day in the Life of Josh Bartels, CTO

Ever wondered what a day in the life of one of our leaders looks like? This series dives into the details! Today, we’re spotlighting Josh Bartels, UDig’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) based in Richmond, VA. As someone who wears many hats – driving innovation, leading technical strategy, and collaborating with both clients and internal teams – Josh’s days are dynamic and filled with opportunities to make an impact. Here’s a look at how he navigates his role most days. 

Morning 

I kick off most of my workdays at the UDig office, arriving around 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. While I occasionally work from home on Fridays, I prefer being in the office, where I can engage with colleagues and take advantage of the on-site electric vehicle charging station.

Unlike many executives who jump straight into back-to-back meetings, my mornings are intentionally open-ended. This flexibility allows me to think creatively, assess key initiatives, and dive into strategy before the day’s structured demands begin. Depending on the day, I might join a client meeting, check in on a team sprint, or spend time exploring new technological advancements, whether it is exploring new LLM model capabilities or reading the latest TLDR for news, that could drive innovation for UDig and our clients.

Lunch 

Lunch at UDig isn’t just a break – it’s a chance to connect with the team. I regularly join a group of colleagues, including other leaders and consultants, for lunch outings. Lately we’ve been going to Bell Greek. As hybrid work becomes the norm, these moments of in-person connection are invaluable, offering a chance to collaborate beyond formal meetings and engage with colleagues outside of my immediate projects.

Afternoon 

My afternoons often involve leadership responsibilities, including UDig’s Monday executive meetings, where the leadership team aligns on key initiatives and problem-solving. As the senior-most technical leader, I provide input on technical strategy while also contributing to broader business discussions. 

One of the most exciting shifts in my role has been refining how UDig measures success – not just in terms of project delivery but in terms of impact. Recently, we’ve focused on defining clear impact statements for every client engagement. This involves spending more time with project teams before kickoff, ensuring everyone – both internally and externally – is aligned on objectives. By moving from a quick kickoff meeting to multiple in-depth alignment meetings, we’re strengthening collaboration and driving better outcomes. 

I’m also deeply involved in internal initiatives like SalesGenie, UDig’s AI-powered knowledge management tool. Originally an ask from our CEO, SalesGenie evolved under my leadership into an AI chatbot that helps employees quickly access key company documents. It has since integrated with Salesforce, streamlining knowledge-sharing across the organization. By developing tools like this, I ensure that UDig isn’t just advising clients on AI adoption but also leveraging AI internally to improve efficiency. 

After Work

After work, I transition into family mode, spending time with my wife and two daughters. Staying active is a priority, and I find accountability through team sports – playing in an adult beer-league hockey team and recently joining a men’s tennis league. 

When time allows, I also participate in UDig’s in-person events, further strengthening my ties to the company and my colleagues. 

As UDig continues to evolve, I’m excited to be part of a team that embraces innovation and tackles challenges with creativity. Every day brings new opportunities to collaborate, solve problems, and drive meaningful impact for our clients.