As the director of the Global Markets Trading Risk Management division of Bank of America-Merrill Lynch in New York City, NY, Rao Chalasani implemented a new risk management platform, incorporating credit risk, market risk, PnL, and VAR. Rao Chalasani also functions as the business CTO of the firm.

At the most basic level, a chief technology officer (CTO) is responsible for executing the technological mission of a business. Chief technology officers must translate the company’s service offerings into a web-based format, which requires a working knowledge of web development and the technical capabilities of an organization. As such, chief technology officers typically come from backgrounds in engineering, computer science, and other technology-based fields.

In terms of strategy and planning, CTOs must identify technology trends and capitalize on them using the appropriate platforms and web application frameworks.

Chief technology officers may also collaborate with other departments in the company, recommending appropriate technology to achieve departmental objectives. Because the CTO functions as the technology spokesperson of the company, he or she may be called upon to communicate technology strategy to investors and board members.