The year 2023 is drawing to a close, but appointments of top executives are on the rise. Take a look at the most recent CIOs, CTOs, and CISOs starting new roles across the nation in the past month. We extend our congratulations to the 30 accomplished professionals who have assumed significant positions, influencing the technology and security aspects of diverse organizations.
Diana Lovati – Chief Information Security Officer at True Anomaly
True Anomaly, the technology company safeguarding global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all, named Diana Lovati as Chief Information Security Officer. She joined the company from Ball Aerospace, where she served as CISO and was responsible for leading information security. Before that, Lovati held IT leadership roles at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics Information Technology, Default Servicing Technologies, and the U.S. Navy. Lovati earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Illinois Chicago and her Master of Information Sciences from Penn State University.
Greg Fraser – Chief Information Officer at The College for Creative Studies
The College for Creative Studies, a premier art and design college in Detroit, selected Greg Fraser as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Fraser will oversee the college’s technology infrastructure and pair with faculty and staff to integrate technology into the educational experience for the benefit of all its students. “I’m thrilled for this opportunity to focus more strategically on the future technological direction of the College,” said Fraser. “The revised structure allows us to make the most of existing staff to maximize our impact while enabling individual growth and development. Technology is constantly evolving, and I look forward to working with our community to ensure we are using it to its fullest potential.”
Matthew Hall – Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Texas State University
Texas State University announced Matthew Hall as Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, effective November 15, 2023. In this capacity, he will offer leadership, direction, administrative oversight, and coordination for the university across its central and distributed information technology architecture. He joins Texas State from the University of Central Florida where he served as CIO. Prior to that, he served in various IT leadership positions at the University of California Santa Barbara, Microsoft, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Vanderbilt University, among other organizations. “Lisa and I are incredibly excited to become part of the Texas State University community,” Hall said. “As the university strides towards its R1 ambition and emphasizes student success, I’m eager to drive initiatives in AI fluency, modernized technology tools, and the strategic use of technology to bring our ‘Hopes & Aspirations High’ strategy to life. Here’s to a future of innovation and collaboration at Texas State.”
Chris Kohn – Chief Information Officer, and John Puopolo – Chief Technology Officer at Itel
Itel, a data and technology company focused on optimizing the property insurance claims process, named Chris Kohn as Chief Information Officer. Kohn joins the company’s executive team full-time, following a 3-month stint with the company in an advisory capacity. He offers over 25 years of technology leadership experience with companies including Fortium Partners, Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, Macmillan, and Reed Business Information, to name a few.
The company also announced the appointment of John Puopolo as Chief Technology Officer, where he will lead data architecture, product engineering, and development for partner and customer-facing technology.
“I am energized to welcome John and Chris to itel’s executive leadership team as we accelerate our investments into delivering innovative and frictionless solutions for insurance carriers,” said Brian Matthews, CEO. “Their leadership and experience will expand itel’s position as a trusted intermediary to the property insurance industry.”
Chris Kennedy – Chief Information Security Officer at Group 1001
Group 1001, a leading financial services company, appointed Chris Kennedy as Chief Information Security Officer. Kennedy brings over 25 years of experience to the role, having served as a cybersecurity risk and operations practitioner with companies including Northrop Grumman, Bridgewater Associates, AttackIQ, and most recently, Citadel. “I am passionate about helping organizations enable their business through improved stronger cybersecurity and mentoring people,” said Kennedy. “I look forward to partnering with my new colleagues to continue to drive product innovation, value creation, and to protect our companies’ intellectual property and customer data.”
Joe Kowaleski – Chief Information Officer at Great American Insurance Group
Great American Insurance Group, an insurance provider specializing in niche marketplaces, announced the promotion of Joe Kowaleski to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Joe earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Michigan and his Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. Prior to joining Great American, he held numerous roles in the IT field. He then served as Divisional Senior Vice president and oversaw IT infrastructure and corporate applications within the company. He will carry over these skills in his new role as he leads Great American’s IT strategic direction. Joe will succeed Jim Niehaus, who will retire in January 2024 after 16 loyal years with the company.
Chris Huff – Chief Technology Officer at Rent Group
Rent Group Inc., a leading provider of integrated marketing solutions for the multi- and single-family housing industries and operator of Rent.com, ApartmentGuide.com, and Rentals.com, has appointed Chris Huff as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Huff will lead the company’s development and engineering initiatives with the end goal of simplifying the experience of connecting people and properties. Huff brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience and joins the company from ParkMobile, where he served as CTO and managed the technology and product teams. Before that, he served with companies including IBM, The Weather Channel, The Home Depot, and PwC. “I’m thrilled to join the Rent team and continue to build on the incredible momentum the organization has created in the last 18 months,” Huff said. “I look forward to working with the team to build new solutions and experiences that continue to accelerate growth and deliver on best-in-class experiences for our clients, as well as the renters who visit our sites daily.”
Pankaj Patra – Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Denny’s
Denny’s Corporation, owner and operator of Denny’s Inc. (“Denny’s”) and Keke’s Inc. (“Keke’s”), has announced the appointment of Pankaj Patra as Chief Digital and Technology Officer, effective October 30, 2023. As CDTO, Patra will be responsible for advancing the company’s capabilities within the areas of technology, digital, and information. He brings more than 25 years of technology leadership experience and joins Denny’s from Brinker International, Inc., where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Prior to that, Patra held key roles with On The Border and Cognizant Technology Solutions. Patra earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the National Institute of Technology and his MBA from Southern Methodist University. “Denny’s is an iconic restaurant company that understands and values the connection between great people and smart technology. I am looking forward to working collaboratively across the company to identify opportunities for improvement and implement exciting, innovative, transformative solutions,” said Patra.
Rajat Khanna – Chief Information Officer at Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines, an ultra-low-cost American airline, appointed Rajat Khanna as Chief Information Officer. Khanna joined the company after years with Lowe’s where he served as Vice President of Technology and led all technology for Lowe’s Canada. This is not his first time in the airline space as he also previously worked for United Airlines serving in various IT Director roles.
Guy Thier – Chief Information Officer at Modere
Modere, a global, clean lifestyle, health & wellness brand of household and beauty & personal care products, appointed Guy Thier as Chief Information Officer. In this capacity, he will work to further improve upon the company’s digital transaction and e-commerce capabilities. “I am thrilled to join Modere as CIO to continue enhancing its e-commerce and digital capabilities to drive growth,” said Thier. “At the forefront of providing clean and effective health and wellness products and with many compelling opportunities ahead, Modere is well-positioned to grow its global community, deliver an even better omnichannel experience for customers, and take the business to the next level.” Thier brings over 25 years of industry experience and joins the company from Cutera, Inc., where he served as Chief Information Officer and interim Global Chief Marketing Officer.
Adam Kavanagh – Chief Information Officer at Maine Savings
Maine Savings has named Adam Kavanagh as Chief Information Officer. Kavanagh brings more than 10 years of experience within the credit union industry to the role and joins the company from Maine State Credit Union where he served as Chief Operations Officer. Prior to that, he served in various capacities with NorState Federal Credit Union and Plourde, Morneault, & Dubay. “I am excited to join a progressive organization like Maine Savings and help the company continue to grow and succeed,” said Kavanagh. “I look forward to working with the team to develop and implement strategies to help the company achieve its goals.”
Mittul Mehta – Chief Information Officer at Tevogen Bio
Tevogen Bio Inc., a biotechnology research organization, selected Mittul Mehta as Chief Information Officer. Mehta has also been named as Head of Tervogen.ai, the company’s new initiative with the purpose of capturing the unique potential of AI in drug discovery, development, manufacturing, distribution, and patient access. He brings more than 20 years of experience and joins the company from Jefferies LLC, where he advanced enterprise strategy as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Platforms Security, Mobility, and Cloud Security. “Mr. Mehta’s significant experience in managing and mentoring teams is complemented by his strong partnerships with major technology providers. As Tevogen Bio expands its horizons with the Tevogen.ai initiative, we believe Mr. Mehta’s strategic acumen and leadership skills will play a crucial role in helping Tevogen Bio harness the potential of AI for the future of healthcare,” said Ryan Saadi, MD, MPH, CEO of Tevogen Bio.
Tariq Jamal – Chief Information Officer at Alcami Corp.
Alcami Corp., a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization, named Tariq Jamal as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Jamal will own the continued implementation of value-driven technology solutions for the company. He joins the company from Lonza, where he served as Regional CIO. Prior to that, he served in various leadership positions with Capsugel, Novartis Consumer Health, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and Genentech, among others. “I am excited to join Alcami and work alongside such a strong leadership team and dedicated employees,” said Tariq. “I look forward to contributing my strategic expertise to support Alcami’s innovation, growth, and continued success.”
Srinivas Jonnada – Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Reliance Matrix
Reliance Matrix, a leading provider of absence and employee benefits insurance and services, will promote Srinivas Jonnada to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, effective January 1, 2024. Jonnada currently serves as Chief Technology Officer and has been with the company since 2019. Before that, he served in various roles with Lincoln Financial Group for a period of 14 years, capping off his time as Head of Distribution & Marketing IT. “Srinivas’s influence on our organization has been profound,” said outgoing CIO John Albanese. “Under his direct oversight we embarked on a number of strategic, multiyear initiatives, including a core admin system replacement and digital customer experience transformation. To accomplish this, he was especially focused on attracting and grooming the best talent.”
Neil Hampshire – Ocean Spray Cranberries Chief Information and Digital Officer
Ocean Spray Cranberries, the world’s leading producer of cranberry juices, juice drinks, and dried cranberries and the best-selling brand in the bottled juice category announced the appointment of Neil Hampshire to Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO). Effective October 30, Hampshire will lead the company’s global IT operations, information security, tech engineering, tech project management, and business intelligence. Hampshire brings 30 years of experience to Ocean Spray and joins the company from Subway, where he served as Vice President of Global IT Operations, Service, and Infrastructure. Prior to that, he held IT leadership positions with Parallel, ModusLink, Reckitt Benckiser, Avon Products Inc., Minor International, and Wrigley, among others. “What excites me most about Ocean Spray is that we are an historic brand that continually looks forward,” said Hampshire. “The opportunity we have in front of us, from a technology and business modernization perspective, is invigorating. We’re going to catapult Ocean Spray into the next 100 years, always doing right by our cooperative and grower-owners.”
Abe Kuruvilla – Chief Technology Officer at ACI Worldwide
ACI Worldwide, a global leader in mission-critical, real-time payment solutions, named Abe Kuruvilla as Chief Technology Officer. As CTO, Kuruvilla will head the company’s innovation agenda and work to improve how ACI Worldwide develops and delivers its software solutions globally to billers, merchants, and banks. Kuruvilla brings over 20 years of experience to the role and joins ACI Worldwide from CoreLogic Inc. where he served as Chief Information Officer. Before that, he held key IT leadership roles with Dell Financial Services, De Lage Landen, and SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. Kuruvilla earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering as well as his Master of Business Administration from Drexel University. “I am thrilled to join ACI Worldwide, a company that offers cutting-edge technology and software solutions and sits at the center of the global payments ecosystem,” said Kuruvilla. “ACI has some of the brightest minds in the industry, and I look forward to working with them to accelerate innovation to ensure we continue to deliver the most advanced payment technology to our customers.”
Martin Ignatovski – Chief Information Officer at Lightning Step
Lightning Step, a leading provider of integrated CRM, EHR, and RCM solutions for behavioral health practices, selected Martin Ignatovski as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Ignatovski will lead the company’s technology, product vision, and strategy. He brings more than 20 years of IT leadership experience and joins Lightning Step from SimplePractice, where he served as CIO. Before that, Ignatovski served in key roles with companies including Eye Care Leaders, CoCENTRIX, and MarNet. “We’re delighted to have Martin join our team as CIO,” said Brent Michael, CEO of Lightning Step. “His proven ability to leverage emerging technologies to drive healthcare innovation will be a tremendous asset as we enhance our solutions to better serve our customers and their clients. Martin’s leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue pioneering innovative behavioral health technologies. We look forward to him helping guide our product roadmap, security strategies, and our continuous evolution forward.”
Ryan Moore – Chief Information Security Officer at Serco
Serco Inc., a provider of professional, technology, engineering, and management services, appointed Ryan Moore as Chief Information Security Officer. As CISO, Moore will be responsible for leading Serco’s cybersecurity initiatives, among other duties. He joins the company following a 21-year tenure with the U.S. Secret Service where he helped to protect U.S. financial systems by implementing advanced technologies to combat criminal threats. “Ryan is well known and highly respected in the Cyber Security space, and his knowledge in implementing effective strategies to protect organizations from harm and skillset in navigating the ever-evolving cybersecurity space will be invaluable to our organization, customers, and teaming partners,” said Don Styer, Senior Vice President, and Chief Technology Officer of Serco. “He was recently named one of Chief Data Officer Magazine’s Top Federal CISOs in 2023, a testament to his exceptional contributions and an honor from the United States federal government.”
Jerry Sheehan – Chief Information Officer at the Salk Institute
The Salk Institute, a scientific research institute located in the La Jolla community of San Diego, California, named Jerry Sheehan as its first Chief Information Officer. In this capacity, Sheehan will help to lead the institute’s technology efforts to drive digital innovation. He brings 30 years of technology leadership experience and joins the institute from San Diego State University, where he served as CIO and spearheaded efforts behind developing and deploying information technology infrastructure. Prior to that, he served in key roles with Montana State University-Bozeman, Bozeman, Fiber Inc., the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, Purdue University, NCSA, and the State of Illinois. “Jerry is a leader with a strategic vision that goes well beyond the traditional role of a CIO,” said Salk President Gerald Joyce. “He has a history of enabling change through information technology innovation, leading cross-functional teams, and developing academic and private sector partnerships. We are fortunate to have Jerry join our leadership team, and I look forward to working with him as we advance biocomputation at Salk.”
Dean Riviera – Chief Information Office at CertaPro Painters®
CertaPro Painters®, a commercial and residential painting company with more than 370 independently owned and operated franchises, selected Dean Rivera as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Riviera will lead the company’s IT infrastructure and business applications and help drive its initiatives around digital innovation. Prior to joining CertaPro, he served with companies including The Robert Allen Group, The Dwyer Group, Harmon Solutions Group, Neighborly, and Safelite Auto Glass, to name a few. “I’m honored to join the dynamic team at CertaPro Painters, as the company continues to scale and drive performance through technology innovation,” said Riviera. “We will collaborate to improve processes, drive innovation, and enhance the experience for CertaPro Painters business owners and customers alike.”
Soo-Jin Behrstock – Chief Information Officer at Superior Group of Companies Inc.
Superior Group of Companies Inc., a combination of companies that helps their customers unlock the power of their brands by creating extraordinary brand engagement experiences, appointed Soo-Jin Hehrstock as Chief Information Officer. Behrstock. has more than 25 years of B2B and e-commerce experience in both technology and information systems. She comes from King’s Hawaiian where she also served as CIO. “We took our time to find the right person for this important role,” said Michael Benstock, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. I am confident that Behrstock is that person. I look forward to the transformations she will bring to our business, and the synergies that her working closely with our Chief Strategy Officer will unleash.”
Rahul Goturi – Chief Information Officer at TekniPlex
Rahul Goturi, a veteran IT executive, has been named Chief Information Officer for TekniPlex, a globally integrated provider of innovative solutions through materials science and manufacturing technologies. Goturi is an experienced CIO with over 15 years of experience at the CIO level and over 25 years of IT experience. In addition, he has received five recognitions on InformationWeek’s annual list of Top 500 IT Innovators. “Rahul’s expertise in automating business processes, standardizing workflows, and building global teams will undoubtedly elevate TekniPlex’s digital landscape,” said Chuck Pfister, Chief Financial Officer, TekniPlex. “We’re excited to welcome Rahul to the TekniPlex team, as he works closely with our outstanding longtime CIO, Jeff Rishel, to ensure a smooth transition.”
Cody Harris – Chief Technology Officer at Circle Logistics
Circle Logistics, a leading player in the logistics and transportation industry, promoted Cody Harris to Chief Technology Officer. As CTO, Harris will assist the rest of the leadership team in bringing in a new era of technological advancement and growth for the company. Prior to this role, he served as Data Strategy and Innovations Manager with the company. Harris earned his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Colorado Technical University and his Master of Science in Data Science from Indiana University Bloomington. “As we continue to chart our course into the digital future of logistics, we are excited to welcome Cody to serve as our Chief Technology Officer. Cody’s tech vision, unwavering commitment to purposeful innovation, and remarkable track record in harnessing cutting-edge technologies are precisely what Circle Logistics needs to stay at the forefront of our industry,” said Eric Fortmeyer, CEO of Circle Logistics. “We are confident that his leadership will not only drive transformative change within our organization but also enhance the experiences of our valued customers and partners. With Cody on board, the possibilities are limitless, and we eagerly anticipate the exciting journey ahead.”
Christopher Rodriguez – Acting Chief Technology Officer with the City of Washington D.C.
Christopher Rodriguez was named as Acting Chief Technology Officer for the City of Washington D.C. Previously, he served as the director of the city’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, where he oversaw emergency response. Before that, he served in key leadership roles with the State of New Jersey and the US Federal Government. Rodriguez earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy from Williams College and his Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science and Government from the University of Notre Dame.
Michael Lindsey – Chief Information and Operations Officer at ServisFirst Bank
ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares, selected Michael Lindsey as Chief Information and Operations Officer. He brings 33 years of industry experience to the role and joins ServisFirst from the privately held firm Equipro Holdings, LLC where he had been serving in various roles including President of US Consumer Capital, LLC and Chief Operating Officer for Action Auto, LLC. Prior to that, he spent over 25 years with BancorpSouth in various positions. “It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we announce the addition of Michael Lindsey to our esteemed ServisFirst Bank team,” stated Tom Broughton, ServisFirst Bank Chairman, President, and CEO. “His wealth of experience in the banking industry is a significant asset to our institution as we continue to provide the highest level of financial services and commitment to our valued clients.”
Jane Rathbun – Chief Information Officer for the U.S. Navy
The Department of the Navy (DON) appointed Jane Rathbun as Chief Information Officer and Special Assistant for Information Management (SAIM), effective October 29, 2023. In her dual capacity as CIO and SAIM, Rathbun will serve the Secretary of the Navy as the Principal Staff Assistant on information technology, digital modernization, cybersecurity, and data management. This new endeavor does not mark the beginning of Rathburn’s work with the Department of the Navy. She has held various significant positions within the department, beginning with her role as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 2018 to 2023 followed by the Principal Deputy CIO role from January to October of this year. “She is the right person to drive our efforts to implement the Department of Defense Digital Modernization Strategy and enable our ability to leverage data for decision advantage,” said Secretary Del Toro.
David Darden – Chief Information Officer at Autosled
David Darden was promoted to Chief Information Officer for Autosled, a digital technology solution provider for automotive vehicle transport logistics. As CIO, Darden will oversee the company’s IT staff as well as their software development, systems, and operations. He previously served as the company’s Vice President of Data and Analytics. “David has been a tremendous resource for Autosled since day one,” said David Sperau, co-founder and chief revenue officer for Autosled. “He has a combination of technological and business acumen that makes him the perfect candidate to take on the role of CIO. Interpreting and acting upon the data that’s in front of you, in real-time, is a huge part of what drives our company.”
Shannon Johnston – Chief Information Officer at Global Payments Inc.
Shannon Johnston was appointed as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Global Payments Inc., a Fortune 500 financial and payments technology company. Prior to this appointment, Johnston served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer, and Deputy Chief Information Officer for the company. “I am delighted to welcome Shannon to our executive leadership team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role and I have the utmost confidence in her ability to guide our technology organization, drive innovation, and support our strategy execution going forward,” said Cameron Bready, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Rajiv Uppal – Chief Information Officer at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has selected Rajiv Uppal as Chief Information Officer. In this role, he will help lead the IRS in its digital transformation journey as well as its large-scale modernization mission in the Office of Information Technology. Uppal comes from years of experience at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), where he most recently served as acting CIO starting in June of 2023 and received a Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award for his work. Before his days at CMS, he was on the U.S. Digital Service team at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
CIOs on the Move is brought to you by CIO Partners®. When hiring your next technology executive, experience matters. Trust CIO Partners, the #1 executive search firm for technology leadership talent.
