Pete Atwater is a seasoned technology and operations executive based in Divide, Colorado, with a distinguished career spanning over three decades across various industries, including financial services, insurance, energy, and technology consulting. Known for his strategic vision, operational excellence, and ability to drive transformative technology initiatives, Pete has established himself as a trusted leader and innovator in the field.
Currently serving as Technology and Operations Executive at 9500 Consulting, LLC, Pete is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technology solutions and operational strategies. His role involves leveraging his extensive expertise in IT service management, infrastructure modernization, and strategic vendor partnerships to enhance operational efficiency and business outcomes.
Pete’s recent professional journey includes nearly 13 years at Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, where he held several pivotal leadership roles. As Vice President of Technology Operations, he led the organization’s largest technology shared services team, overseeing workplace technology, production application support, disaster recovery, and software quality assurance. Pete played a critical role in stabilizing and modernizing Guardian’s technology infrastructure through the adoption of public and private cloud solutions, significantly improving reliability and scalability.
Earlier at Guardian, Pete served as VP of Enterprise Software Quality Assurance and Application Support, building high-performing teams responsible for functional and performance testing across 400+ production applications. His leadership resulted in enhanced application reliability, faster incident resolution, and improved testing automation. He also held CIO roles for both Guardian’s Individual Life and Investments, and Group Insurance divisions, where he spearheaded digital transformation projects, optimized IT costs, and improved customer experience through new business processing platforms and customer-facing web services.
Before joining Guardian, Pete held influential positions at Genworth Financial, where he served as Chief Information Officer for the Employee Benefits Group, and at GE Financial Assurance as CIO for Auto Warranty Services. His innovative approach to technology enabled both organizations to achieve significant operational improvements and financial growth, positioning businesses for strategic success.
Pete began his career as a Programmer/Analyst at Getty Oil Company and progressed through technical and managerial roles at United Crude Company and Citicorp Mortgage. Over the years, his ability to adapt and lead in diverse environments has been a hallmark of his career.
Complementing his professional achievements, Pete also serves his community as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Divide Fire Protection District, embodying his commitment to public service. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, both from the University of Tulsa.
With a proven track record of delivering measurable business value through innovative technology solutions and operational leadership, Pete Atwater continues to make a profound impact in his field, driving growth, efficiency, and innovation in every role he assumes.
Character
Pete Atwater demonstrates unwavering integrity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence, both in his professional roles and community service endeavors.
Knowledge
With a robust foundation in technology, operations, and financial services, Pete Atwater possesses deep expertise in IT strategy, infrastructure modernization, and business process optimization.
Strategic
Pete Atwater excels at crafting and executing forward-thinking strategies that drive digital transformation, enhance operational efficiency, and achieve long-term business objectives.
Communication
An articulate and collaborative leader, Pete Atwater effectively conveys complex concepts, aligns cross-functional teams, and fosters strong relationships with stakeholders.
