LeadingResponse Appoints Surya Chikkala as Chief Digital & Technology Officer

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 14, 2025--

LeadingResponse, the national leader in consumer engagement, announces Surya Chikkala as its new Chief Digital & Technology Officer. In this role, Surya will lead LeadingResponse’s engineering and technical vision, company’s mission and its long-term growth strategy.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251014266331/en/

Surya brings over 20 years of extensive and diverse experience in leading several Fortune 100 companies through digital transformation and technology innovation across industries, including logistics, healthcare, finance, retail, and telecommunications. While at Publicis Sapient, Surya had a 10-year tenure at UPS leading the modernization of digital systems, optimized supply chain operations, and played a pivotal role in enabling global vaccine distribution, demonstrating the transformative potential of advanced software solutions. Along with deep technical acumen, Surya is a respected people leader, known for guiding teams through AI-driven transformation and successfully onboarding talent into emerging technology workflows.

Surya’s strength lies in modernizing digital platforms, setting up large-scale AI-driven data-centric solutions, and mobilizing multi-disciplinary teams, globally. His strategic leadership and deep technical expertise will accelerate LeadingResponse’s growth into a technology-driven marketing services organization.

“Surya has spent his career helping global organizations reimagine the consumer experience through data-driven innovation,” said Steve Roe, CEO of LeadingResponse. “His expertise in modern architectures, automation, and marketing transformation will be instrumental as we continue to build scalable, intelligent platforms that deliver stronger outcomes for both our clients and their customers.”

“I am thrilled to join LeadingResponse at such an exciting point in its growth,” said Surya. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to accelerate innovation, modernize our tech stack, and deliver greater value to clients.”

At LeadingResponse, Surya will lead the company’s digital strategy, focusing on stronger adaptation to AI, and scaling complex marketing operations. His appointment reflects the company’s commitment to evolving engagement models and delivering measurable impact for our clients.

About LeadingResponse

LeadingResponse, the premier provider of customer acquisition solutions for the financial, legal, and healthcare markets, understands the consumer journey that leads to a meaningful engagement with our professional clients. LeadingResponse is uniquely qualified to help our clients grow and scale their organizations. Via our proven multi-channel solutions, online and offline, we consistently drive over 170,000 consumers/per month to our clients for scheduled appointments. Learn more at LeadingResponse.

Surya Chikkala, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, LeadingResponse

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong officials on Wednesday proposed expanding oversight of building maintenance projects and stronger fire safety steps after a blaze in November killed at least 161 people and displaced thousands.

The blaze that spread across seven towers in an apartment complex raised questions about corruption, negligence and government oversight in the city's building maintenance projects, piling pressure on Hong Kong leader John Lee’s administration and Beijing’s “patriots-only” governance system for the city.

In the newly elected legislature's first meeting, Lee said the fire exposed the need for reform and pledged that the investigation by law enforcement agencies and a judge-led independent committee would be thorough.

“We will fairly pursue accountability and take disciplinary action based on facts against anyone who should bear responsibility, regardless of whether they are from within or outside the government, or whether they are junior or senior staff,” Lee said.

To combat bid-rigging, Lee's administration proposed that the Urban Renewal Authority play a greater role in helping homeowners choose contractors for building maintenance projects.

Officials planned to set up a preselected list of consultants and contractors based on official background checks and past reviews from homeowners. The authority would facilitate homeowners in tendering and bid evaluation more.

The government also suggested requiring big renovation projects to hire a third-party professional to supervise the work, necessitating fire department's approval before shutting down major fire safety installations, and banning smoking on any construction site.

Proposals for law changes linked to the smoking ban were expected to be submitted for the legislature's review within the next few weeks, while officials were still discussing some of the other suggestions with the Urban Renewal Authority.

Authorities have pointed to substandard netting and foam boards installed during renovations at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex as factors that contributed to the fire in November. They also said some fire alarms did not work in tests.

Political analysts and observers worried the tragedy could be the “tip of an iceberg" in Hong Kong, a city whose skyline is built on high-rise buildings. Suspicions of bid-rigging and use of hazardous construction materials in renovation projects across other housing estates have left many fearing the disaster could be repeated.

A man walks past the burnt buildings after a deadly fire that started Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Friday, Nov. 28 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

FILE - Smoke rises after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Nov. 26 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei, File)