# Ralph Dandrea

> Ralph Dandrea is the founder and CEO of ITX, a custom software company he established in 1997. Based in Pittsford, New York, he writes about workability, trust, clarity, mentoring and accountability, drawing on early technology ventures and an education in finance, law and business. His June 2026 essays with Michael Lesher examine the value of human judgment as AI changes software development.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at ITX
- **Organizations:** ITX, Upstate Venture Connect UNY50, Venture Jobs Foundation
- **Education:** BS in Finance, with a focus on economics (self-reported biography), Rochester Institute of Technology, Juris Doctor, University at Buffalo School of Law, MBA, University at Buffalo
- **Known for:** Founded and continues to lead ITX, established in 1997., Included in Rochester Business Journal’s 2022 Power 50 Technology list., Led ITX from a two-person consultancy to approximately 250 people by 2022.

## Career timeline

- **Age 12** — Began entrepreneurial activity in electronics, according to his biography.
- **Age 14** — Started providing computer database services.
- **Early 1990s** — Bought equipment from a closing computer repair business; a disputed valuation became a lesson in workability.
- **1997** — Founded ITX as a two-person telecommunications consultancy.
- **2012** — Retained CEO role and became chairman as Fred Beer succeeded him as president.
- **2013** — Wrote about being asked to mentor for High Tech Rochester’s LaunchPad program.
- **2019** — Explained ITX’s planned move to downtown Rochester following a team survey.
- **2022** — Named to Rochester Business Journal’s Power 50 Technology list; discussed ITX’s twenty-fifth anniversary on Product Momentum.
- **2023** — ITX acquired SUMO Heavy, adding e-commerce expertise.
- **2026** — Co-authored two June essays with Michael Lesher about AI, accountability and economic moats.

## Achievements

- Founded and continues to lead ITX, established in 1997.
- Included in Rochester Business Journal’s 2022 Power 50 Technology list.
- Led ITX from a two-person consultancy to approximately 250 people by 2022.
- Developed a body of public writing about workability, trust, clarity and mentoring.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Co-authored “Your Professional Moat in the Age of AI” with Michael Lesher, published June 18.
- **2026-06** — Co-authored “Your Software Isn’t Your Moat Anymore” with Michael Lesher, published June 18.

## Links

- Website: https://workabilityblog.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphdandrea

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ralph-dandrea
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25