About Lou
Lou Kalis is the Director of IT at Hawkins Ash CPAs where he plays a pivotal role in technological efficiencies. In his role, he manages the IT landscape, ensuring cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, and overseeing the IT budget for seamless operations. As Director of IT, Lou ensures robust client data security and compliance, offering secure communication channels, integrated accounting software, and top-tier IT support and training.
In his most recent role as IT Lead at a leading community bank in the country, Lou led the charge on a monumental financial core migration project. His negotiation skills secured a $1.8 million discount on the purchase, and his team completed the project in half the time of the industry average.
Lou’s experiences have reinforced his commitment to excellence and his ability to drive impactful advancements within the IT industry. He collaborated with Microsoft’s Sway Development department, where he played a crucial role in enhancing the Sway Office 365 product. He engaged in a strategic collaboration with Ruckus Technologies, contributing significantly to the advancement of their cloud-based controller and statistical systems, benefiting both technical and non-technical administrative staff. Moreover, on an international scale, Lou demonstrated expertise by partnering with Lizard-Soft, a distinguished Ukrainian firm based in Kyiv, to spearhead the development of an enterprise-level intranet and document management solution.
“As an IT leader, I enjoy the opportunity to drive ongoing innovation, tackle complex problem-solving challenges, explore leadership prospects, and engage in collaborative endeavors with my colleagues.”
Lou Kalis
Areas of Focus
Infrastructure
Network Security
Cloud Solutions
IT Governance
Technology Integration
Education
Bachelor of Science, Marketing, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Community Organizations
Holmen Youth Sports, Coach
Onalaska Youth Sports, Coach