MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 22, 2025--
FORTÉ, formerly AVI Systems, today announced that Josh Braun has been promoted to Chief Information Officer (CIO), effective immediately. Braun becomes FORTÉ’s first-ever CIO, reflecting the company’s increasing emphasis on technology, security, and infrastructure as essential drivers of growth.
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As CIO, Braun will lead all aspects of FORTÉ’s information technology and digital infrastructure – including security, internal IT support, systems architecture, and long-term technology strategy. In addition, he will oversee the IT demands of FORTÉ’s 42 U.S. locations and presence in four European countries, and guide integration planning and execution as the company continues to expand.
“We are excited to elevate Josh to the new role of CIO,” said Jeff Stoebner, Chairman and CEO of FORTÉ. “Since joining in 2016, Josh has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to strengthening FORTÉ’s technology environment. Establishing the CIO role, and appointing Josh to the position, is a natural step as we continue to scale and invest in technology as a strategic advantage.”
Braun joined FORTÉ in 2016 as Director of IT and was promoted to Vice President of IT in 2019. Throughout his tenure, he has built a strong, scalable IT foundation. His leadership has driven enhanced security protocols, improved employee tech support, and includes the implementation of modern systems that ensure reliability, efficiency, and organizational resilience.
“I’m honored to take on the role of CIO at FORTÉ,” said Braun. “Technology is a cornerstone of our company’s success. As we continue to expand globally and accelerate business initiatives, my focus is on ensuring technology remains a catalyst for scale, resilience, and exceptional experiences for both our employees and our customers. I’m excited to continue partnering across the business to shape what’s next.”
Braun is a veteran in the technology industry. He began his career in IT with South Dakota-based Daktronics. Prior to joining FORTÉ, he led global IT operations at Digital River, a Minneapolis-based eCommerce company for 17 years. A native of Rosholt, S. Dak., Braun studied Electronic Engineering at South Dakota State University. He and his family reside in Waconia, Minnesota.
ABOUT FORTÉ
FORTÉ is a leading provider of innovative communication and collaboration solutions and service, dedicated to transforming workplaces in corporate, education and government agencies. With a focus on innovation, scalability, and reliability, FORTÉ helps organizations create connected, productive environments where people, spaces, and technology work together effortlessly. FORTÉ empowers organizations with secure, future-ready systems that enhance every employee touchpoint. For more information, visit www.ourforte.com.
Josh Braun has been named Chief Information Officer at FORTÉ. Josh joined the company in 2016 and has been instrumental in advancing the company's information technology and digital infrastructure.
MANOSQUE, France (AP) — Young British rider Matthew Brennan finished strongly to win the second and longest stage of the Spanish Vuelta ahead of race leader Tadej Pogačar on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Brennan capitalized on good work from Visma-Lease a Bike teammate Wout van Aert in an uphill sprint and got ahead of second-place Pau Miquel and third-place Pogačar to complete the 214.3-kilometer (133.1 mile) hilly trek through Provence in southern France in 4 hours, 47 minutes, 47 seconds.
Pogačar, who edged Ethan Hayter by 0.09 seconds in the opening time trial on Saturday, kept the race leader’s red jersey by finishing with the same time as the stage winner.
The Slovenian leads the general classification by 9 seconds from Van Aert, with Brennan another second behind in third.
There were attacks from the start Sunday before Hayter, Koen Bouwman, Diego Uriarte, and Sinuhé Fernandez got away from the main bunch.
They stayed in front but could never get far enough ahead of the peloton. Hayter, thinking of the red jersey, went solo with just under 50 kilometers to go. The British rider was caught, however, and Pogačar was at the front of the peloton with 34 kilometers remaining, when it looked ever more likely to end in a sprint finish.
Teams jostled for position on the wide road as the kilometers slipped by, with UAE Emirates XRG, Visma-Lease a Bike, Lidl-Trek, Groupama-FDJ United and Netcompany Ineos all getting their leaders to the front for the grand finale to come.
Van Aert attacked with just under 2 kilometers to go, followed by Pogačar. They were joined by Alessandro Romele, then others, before Brennan emerged to take his first stage victory on his Grand Tour debut just over two weeks after his 21st birthday.
Pogačar was 20 when he made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta in 2019. He won three stages and finished third at the time, then didn’t race the Vuelta again till he returned on Saturday.
The Slovenian won the Tour de France for the third time straight time and fifth overall in July, while his Giro d’Italia win in 2024 puts him in position to become just the ninth male rider to win all three Grand Tours after Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, Felice Gimondi, Alberto Contador, Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali and Jonas Vingegaard.
Guatemalan rider Sergio Chumil was the first to abandon the race after a bad crash. Cian Uijtdebroeks crashed earlier Sunday but he managed to get back on his bike.
Monday will see the riders tackle the first mountain stage of the 81st edition, a tough 174-kilometer (108-mile) route from Gruissan-Aude past the city of Perpignan before the climb to the ski resort of Font Romeu in the Pyrenees.
The Vuelta finishes in the southern Spanish city of Granada on Sept. 13.
See full AP coverage of European sports here
Britain's Matthew Brennan celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the second stage of the La Vuelta cycling race, with start in Monaco and finish in Manosque, France, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
Britain's Matthew Brennan celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the second stage of the La Vuelta cycling race, with start in Monaco and finish in Manosque, France, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
Britain's Matthew Brennan celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the second stage of the La Vuelta cycling race, with start in Monaco and finish in Manosque, France, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
Britain's Matthew Brennan sprints to win the second stage of the La Vuelta cycling race, with start in Monaco and finish in Manosque, France, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
Britain's Matthew Brennan celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the second stage of the La Vuelta cycling race, with start in Monaco and finish in Manosque, France, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
