Keith Steele builds the digital backbone of the Silicon heartland
As Area Vice President at Expedient, Keith Steele leads the firm's top-performing team across Columbus and Cincinnati. Under his leadership, the region has achieved record growth, helping Ohio enterprises modernize their operations via advanced cloud, AI, and data center services.
From Columbus, Keith Steele is helping Ohio’s enterprises modernize the technology that keeps them running. As Area Vice President at Expedient, a national leader in cloud, AI, and data center services, he oversees the Columbus and Cincinnati markets — home to the company’s highest-performing regional team. Under his leadership, the region has achieved record growth, securing major enterprise wins and expanding Expedient’s presence across the state’s most competitive tech corridors.
Steele’s expertise lies in guiding organizations through large-scale digital transformation. He helps clients move from legacy systems to modern cloud infrastructure, balancing innovation with security, predictability, and measurable value. His consultative approach blends strategic vision with operational rigor, earning him a reputation for developing top-tier sales talent and delivering real business outcomes.
“At Expedient, we help organizations modernize their IT infrastructure so they can grow, stay secure, and operate with confidence,” he says. “We don’t just deliver technology — we co-design long-term outcomes that build resilience and unlock what’s possible with modern cloud and AI solutions.”
For Steele, the impact goes beyond business performance. “When Ohio companies run on better technology, they can hire faster, compete nationally, and reinvest locally,” he explains. “Each successful modernization strengthens the digital backbone of the state’s economy.” That foundation, he believes, is critical as Ohio earns its reputation as the Silicon Heartland — a place where secure, scalable infrastructure enables innovation across industries.
A recent MBA graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, Steele combines strategic business insight with tech knowledge to deliver tangible outcomes. When he’s not helping clients reimagine their infrastructure, you might find him at Lindey’s for dinner or rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Or maybe he's reading one of his favorite books: “Make your bed.”
Keith on what’s next for Ohio’s innovation economy
"The next wave of Ohio’s growth depends on how well we modernize our digital foundations," Steele says. "Every business, school, and organization should have access to reliable, high-performance infrastructure — the kind that lets talent focus on creativity instead of maintenance. If we can connect those dots statewide, Ohio can move from adapting to technology to leading with it."
Keith’s vision for Ohio’s next big leap
"I imagine a Statewide Digital Infrastructure Grid — a unified cloud and AI backbone connecting every enterprise, university, and public institution. It would give manufacturers, hospitals, and startups equal access to scalable, secure technology. Building that grid would make Ohio one of the most connected and competitive regions in the country, setting a national benchmark for applied innovation and operational excellence."
This profile is part of the OhioX and Ohio Tech News Next25, a series highlighting the leaders, 35 and under, driving the state's innovation economy. From responsible AI to medtech breakthroughs, discover the full class of 2025. Meet the Next25.
