Engineering Professionals: Insights & Resources

Best Fractional CTO Services in Dallas-Fort Worth

Ryan Stevens

January 27, 2026

Best Fractional CTO Services in Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas's Best Outsourced CTO Services, Fractional CTO, & Virtual CTO Services

Everything might be bigger in Texas—but not everything has to be full-time. As the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro continues to grow as a hub for innovation, venture capital, and high-growth companies, an increasingly strategic shift is underway in the C-suite: the rise of the fractional CTO.

In Dallas, where logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, SaaS, and fintech intersect, companies are scaling fast—but not every business has the time or need to bring on a full-time Chief Technology Officer. That’s where fractional and interim CTOs come in.

These are senior technology leaders who embed directly within organizations to guide tech strategy, mentor engineering teams, modernize legacy systems, or accelerate product development—all without a full-time commitment.

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Our Methodology: Dallas Fractional CTO, Virtual CTO Services, and Outsourced CTOs

At Digital Reference, we’ve curated a list of the most trusted and impactful fractional CTOs in Dallas, professionals who aren’t just advising—they’re executing.

Each fractional CTO on this list has been hand-selected through Digital Reference’s research process. We evaluate:

✅ Active work in the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington area
✅ Clear positioning as a fractional, interim, or embedded CTO or technology executive
✅ Visible track record in building or scaling tech teams, systems, or products
✅ Public-facing credibility (LinkedIn, firm, or published work)
✅ Alignment with Digital Reference’s values: trust, performance, referenceability

These professionals are chosen because of what others say about them, not just what they say about themselves.

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Meet The Best Fractional CTO, Virtual CTO, & Outsourced CTO Services in Dallas-Fort Worth

Randy Black

Fractional CTO | Enterprise Architecture Leader | Cloud Strategist‍

Randy Black brings decades of enterprise technology experience to scaling companies. He helps mid-market firms modernize infrastructure and implement cloud-first architectures that support long-term growth.

Highlights:
☁️ Cloud strategy, enterprise architecture, and systems modernization
🏭 Expertise in finance, energy, and logistics sectors
💬 Helps organizations transition from legacy systems to scalable, future-proof tech stacks

Randy is ideal for companies seeking a CTO who can modernize infrastructure while keeping business growth top of mind.

Zachary Hohertz

Fractional CTO | Product-Minded Tech Leader | Startup Advisor‍

Zachary partners with early-stage and venture-backed startups to lead technology strategy, improve engineering operations, and accelerate product-market fit. His combination of tech credibility and business fluency makes him a trusted advisor for founders.

Highlights:
💻 SaaS architecture and engineering org design
📑 Product strategy and startup advisory
💬 Guides founders in translating vision into scalable tech execution

Zachary is perfect for startups needing a fractional CTO who bridges product, engineering, and business strategy.

Douglas M. Taylor

Technology Advisor | CIO/CTO Consultant | Infrastructure Expert‍

Douglas M. Taylor helps companies modernize IT operations and bridge the gap between traditional IT and modern tech stacks. He specializes in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and technology due diligence, particularly for regulated industries.

Highlights:
🔐 IT strategy, cybersecurity, and M&A readiness
🏥 Experience in healthcare, finance, and highly regulated sectors
💬 Pragmatic, no-fluff approach to infrastructure modernization and operational alignment

Douglas is ideal for companies preparing for transformation, funding, or regulatory-compliant tech upgrades.

Glenn Layson

Fractional CTO | Technical Cofounder | Data Platform Strategist‍

Glenn Layson combines CTO experience with startup cofounder insights, helping companies scale engineering maturity and build robust data platforms. His focus is on aligning architecture, teams, and processes to business growth.

Highlights:
💻 Data infrastructure, platform architecture, and scalable systems
📑 Engineering team building and operational maturity
💬 Strength lies in scaling technology alongside business objectives

Glenn is ideal for companies looking to mature their engineering operations and build scalable data-driven platforms.

Why Dallas Companies Are Going Fractional at the CTO Level

Dallas is a unique market: deeply rooted in industries like oil and healthcare, but also home to a vibrant and growing startup community. The result? A huge demand for technical leadership that’s flexible, cost-effective, and stage-specific.

We’re seeing companies hire fractional CTOs when they:

Are building their first technical team but don’t need a full-time exec yet
Need an experienced leader to overhaul legacy infrastructure
Want help navigating product-to-platform transitions
Are preparing for due diligence, fundraising, or M&A
Need an external voice to mentor internal engineering leaders

Fractional CTOs aren’t a band-aid—they’re a strategic decision that gives companies breathing room while still driving progress.

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What to Expect From a Great Fractional CTO in Dallas

The CTOs we feature consistently demonstrate:

✅ Strategic + technical fluency (not just one or the other)
✅ An ability to quickly assess architecture, org health, and risks
✅ Strong communication with founders, boards, and investors
✅ Execution—you’re not hiring a slide deck
✅ Referenceable outcomes from past fractional or embedded work

The four professionals featured above bring all of this—and more—to their work across North Texas.

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How Dallas Is Leading the Way on Technical Flexibility

One of the clearest signs that Dallas is embracing the future of work? The CTO no longer has to be full-time to be effective.

More and more companies are:

Hiring fractional CTOs to build version 1 of their product
Embedding technical advisors during fundraising prep
Bringing in fractional talent to stabilize engineering orgs
Replacing traditional consulting firms with hands-on CTOs who operate like insiders

The trend is clear: leaner teams, smarter hiring, and tech leadership when and where you need it most.

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Final Thought: Fractional CTO Services in Dallas That Fit the Moment

Not every company is ready for a full-time CTO—and that’s okay. What matters most is having the right technical leadership for your stage. The fractional CTOs featured here are already helping Dallas companies hire better, scale faster, and modernize without breaking what’s working.

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