For nearly 25 years, Craig Bushong has helped shape the technology behind Cheetah. As Senior Product Manager and Team Lead, Platform, he oversees a wide range of solutions that support trust and wealth management organizations, from workflow and client portals to business intelligence and artificial intelligence initiatives.
Over the years, Craig has watched the company grow from a small team in Muncie, Indiana, into the innovative organization it is today. We recently sat down with him to learn more about his role, what excites him about the future of technology, and what has kept him at Cheetah for nearly a quarter century.
A player-coach approach to product management
I work within our product management group and oversee the platform team. That includes several product managers and a variety of solutions across our ecosystem, including workflow, client portals, identity management, our data hub, business intelligence, and AI-related functionality.
My role is a bit of a player-coach position. While I manage a team, I’m also involved in day-to-day product work. Depending on the project, that might mean helping with design, prioritization, support, or serving as a subject matter expert. Having worked closely with our products for many years, I still spend a lot of time helping teams solve problems and move initiatives forward.
What project or enhancement are you most excited about right now?
The work we’re doing around artificial intelligence is what excites me most right now.
One example is our document analysis capabilities. We’re also developing an AI-powered co-authoring agent within our Insights product that helps users build queries using natural language. Instead of needing to know exactly where data fields live or what they’re called, users can simply describe what they’re looking for, and the system will help build the query for them.
The goal is to make it easier and faster for clients to access information without needing deep technical knowledge of the underlying data structure. It’s a great example of how technology can remove friction and help people work more efficiently.
How do client conversations influence product development?
Client feedback is one of the most important inputs we have as product managers.
Our clients live in the day-to-day realities of their work, so they’re often the first to identify processes that feel cumbersome or opportunities for improvement. That feedback plays a major role in how we prioritize enhancements and new functionality.
At the same time, we also look at broader technology trends and long-term business needs. Leaders within trust organizations are often focused on questions like how to grow their business, improve efficiency, and create more time for client relationships. Our job is to balance those immediate needs with where the industry is headed and build solutions that support both.
You’ll celebrate 25 years with the company this September. What has made you want to stay and grow alongside the company?
One of the biggest reasons is that I genuinely enjoy solving problems.
From the beginning, I’ve always enjoyed figuring out puzzles, building solutions, and finding better ways to accomplish something. That’s been a constant throughout my career.
When I joined Accutech in 2001, the company had fewer than 20 employees. It was a close-knit group, and there was a real sense of camaraderie. We were a small company competing against much larger organizations, and there was a shared belief that there was a better way to serve clients.
Over time, we continued to grow, take on bigger challenges, and prove what we were capable of accomplishing. I’ve enjoyed the work, I enjoyed the people I work with, and every day brings a new challenge to solve. There’s simply never been a reason to look elsewhere.
What’s something your coworkers might be surprised to learn about you?
I’ve played golf with a British Open champion.
Golf has been a big part of my life for many years. I started playing as a freshman in high school after my parents convinced me to take golf lessons instead of playing football. It turned out to be a pretty good trade.
I went on to play golf in both high school and college, and I still play whenever my schedule allows. Some years I only get out for a few scrambles, while other years, I’m able to play much more frequently.
One thing is certain: no matter how busy work gets, I always enjoy finding time to be out on the course.
Continuing to build what’s next
As Cheetah continues to evolve, Craig remains focused on what has motivated him throughout his career: solving problems, embracing new technology, and helping clients succeed.
Whether he’s supporting product teams, helping shape AI-powered innovations, or sharing insights gained over nearly 25 years with the company, Craig continues to play an important role in guiding Cheetah’s future.
