Bret Heenan

IT Leader

I am a technology leader with 30+ years of experience spanning IT services, software development, and enterprise solutions—focused for the past decade on driving innovation in higher education.

At Cal Poly, I’ve led large-scale initiatives in ERP, service management, and enterprise IT operations, while also championing leadership development and organizational culture. I specialize in building high-performing teams, guiding strategic planning, and leading change management efforts that align technology with institutional goals.

My career background includes consulting and solution delivery for world-class organizations such as HP, Apple, California Closets, Fraxel, and Allergan, as well as leading hundreds of technology projects in web development, BI reporting, data integrations, and enterprise systems.

I’m passionate about bridging the gap between strategy and execution, empowering IT teams to deliver measurable outcomes, and creating a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

Bret holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Business, from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.  Bret held positions at California Polytechnic State University, Etna Interactive, Web Associates, Seagate Software, IBM, McDonnell Douglas, California State Water Quality Control Board, and Cuesta College.

A dedicated musician, Bret has played guitar for 30 years in various bands (currently in Carbon City Lights).  He also has a passion for nature and family life. He is a visionary, a teacher, a professional, and a representative of what is best in the technology industry.