Episode Information
Show Notes
What happens when you combine curiosity, willingness to take chances, and genuine interest in people? You get Bob Leek’s career story – a journey from a small town in North Carolina to becoming CIO of Clark County, Nevada.
Bob didn’t start with a master plan. He got an accounting degree, landed in retail finance, and complained about IT systems so much they moved him to technology. His path through retail (Egghead), pet healthcare (Banfield), Kaiser Permanente, and public sector roles taught him that relationships matter more than transactions, and that saying yes to opportunities often matters more than having all the credentials.
Now leading technology for one of America’s largest counties – serving 2.3 million residents and 40 million annual visitors – Bob brings an approachable leadership style that breaks down the intimidation factor many feel around executive titles. He’s proof that you don’t need to have it all figured out from day one.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
Bob shares how growing up in Mount Airy, North Carolina (Andy Griffith’s hometown) shaped his values around community and connection. His entry into technology came from an accounting degree and working in finance at Egghead, where he complained about IT systems so much they moved him to the technology department.
The conversation covers his progression through retail technology, pet healthcare (Banfield), Kaiser Permanente, and Multnomah County before making the jump to Clark County. Bob explains what it means to manage technology infrastructure for millions of people while maintaining his commitment to accessibility and relationship-building.
You’ll hear about his philosophy on networking (hint: it’s not about collecting business cards), why he asks questions without worrying about looking uninformed, and how curiosity has been his career accelerator. Bob also opens up about being a “professional extrovert and social introvert” and what that means for how he shows up in his role.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Complaining about problems can lead to opportunities if you’re willing to help fix them
Asking questions, even ones you think might sound basic, accelerates your learning
Real networking is about genuine curiosity, not transactional exchanges
Saying yes to opportunities matters more than waiting until you feel fully prepared
Building relationships with people across industries creates career momentum
Leadership roles don’t have to be intimidating – accessibility builds stronger teams
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Bob Leek is the Chief Information Officer for Clark County, Nevada. His career began with an accounting degree and moved through retail technology (Egghead), pet healthcare (Banfield), Kaiser Permanente, and public sector leadership at Multnomah County. Bob’s approachable style and commitment to community-building have made him a respected figure in technology leadership.
CONNECT WITH BOB:
Find Bob on LinkedIn or reach out through Clark County official channels. He genuinely means it when he says to come say hi at events.
SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT:
Career Downloads brings you conversations with technology leaders and professionals to help you manage your career with more success. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or watch full episodes on YouTube.
Join our community on the social platforms:
Website: https://careerdownloads.com
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads
FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249
TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences,