David G

As a longtime executive recruiter in Silicon Valley, now happily retired, I’d like to point out that the clue for CIO (104 Down) is not quite correct. A Chief Information Officer (CIO) can be, and almost always is, an exec in *any* large company, not just tech companies, because all large companies have internal information systems, and the person responsible for them is usually a C-level executive called a CIO. This person, for example, would be the person to lead an overhaul of the company’s internal hardware and software systems - including payroll and financial planning software, for example. On the other hand, a “CTO” could be a good answer to the clue “tech company exec” because it’s generally the case that *only* technology companies have Chief Technology Officers. That’s because a CTO’s do not concern themselves with the company’s internal systems, but rather lead the company’s research, development and possibly go-to-market strategy of their proprietary technology. The CTO of a semiconductor company, for example, would typically have a solid background in semiconductor engineering and manufacturing, since that is the “tech” the company is selling. Don’t ask them what payroll system the company uses! A better clue for CIO would be something like: “top exec in charge of internal systems” That’s a long-winded explanation, but hopefully now you all know the difference between a CIO and a CTO. I think the puzzle-makers were a bit confused about that.

I’m surprised there isn’t more discussion of the spooky coincidental nature of 60A coming on the exact day that he passes away. I realize there are coincidences all the time between crossword puzzles and the “real world,” but that one struck me as quite… remarkable.