Piyush Patel

Founder, CEO & Chairman, Kyra Solutions, Lakeland

Founded by Patel in 1997, Kyra Solutions provides software and technology services to state governments. Its IntelliRoad division provides tolling and transportation solutions to address roadway mobility and safety issues. With more than 280 employees, Kyra has been named by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies on several occasions. Patel is the current chairman of the Board of Trustees of Florida TaxWatch.

EDUCATION: Stevens Institute of Technology (MS), Gujarat University, India (BE)

MENTOR: Steve Evans, retired IBM executive and former chairman of Florida TaxWatch board, has been a tremendous mentor. He has the uncanny ability to create confidence in yourself and instill courage to do the right thing no matter how difficult it may be.

RECOMMENDED READING: Harvard Business Review

INSPIRATIONAL FLORIDIAN: Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, has been a great source of inspiration to me over several decades. His prescience and prospicience, unwavering commitment to education, and his command over policies are unrivaled. More importantly, he is the type of leader who has a great balance between vision of big audacious goals and practical execution skills to get there.

MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA
“Luck always favors the prepared.”