As we begin the final quarter, government agencies, public and private organizations are actively developing their strategic plans for the upcoming year. Recognizing the importance of technology in achieving their goals, many have opted to onboard experienced IT leaders. Congratulations to these executives who have recently assumed new roles and are poised to make a measurable impact.
Jordan Avnaim – Chief Information Security Officer at Entrust
Entrust, a global leader in trusted payments, identities, and data, appointed Jordan Avnaim as Chief Information Security Officer. As CISO, he will be responsible for maturing the company’s information security program for both its corporate and commercial portfolios. Avnaim joins Entrust from Capital Group, where he served in a variety of information security leadership positions over the span of 13 years. “The threat landscape continues to rapidly evolve and companies need to constantly be identifying and initiating new cybersecurity practices, like post-quantum cryptography to prepare for the future,” said Avnaim. “With my passion for cybersecurity and technology risk management and experience providing consultative services to worldwide clients, I am thrilled to be stepping into this role to support Entrust’s strategy and assist our clients in realizing their cybersecurity objectives.”
Eric Johnson – Chief Information Officer at PagerDuty
PagerDuty, Inc., (PD) a global leader in digital operations management, selected Eric Johnson as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Johnson will report to Chief Technology Officer, Tim Armandpour and will be responsible for leading the organization’s critical IT infrastructure, data management, and enterprise systems. Johnson brings 28 years of industry experience and joins PagerDuty from SurveyMonkey, where he served as CIO. Before that, he served as CIO for Informatica, DocuSign, and Talend. Johnson earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. “As a long-time PagerDuty customer, I’ve been impressed with the business and technical challenges the PagerDuty Operations Cloud solves for me as a CIO,” said Johnson. “PagerDuty understands the needs of CIOs and CTOs today, and I’m delighted to work for a company that is dedicated to protecting revenue, reducing operating costs, and mitigating the risk and costs associated with major operational failures.”
Reza Rassool – Chief Technology Officer at Business Wire
Business Wire (BRK.A), a global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure, named Reza Rassool as Chief Technology Officer. As CTO, Rassool will lead the company’s technology strategy and operations and spearhead the development of groundbreaking new service offerings. He brings over 35 years of technology leadership experience to the role, having served with companies such as Zya, Widevine Technologies, StreamLogic, Second Site Medical Products, and most recently, RealNetworks, where he guided the company’s technology initiatives as CTO. “Adding Reza’s impressive credentials to our leadership team at Business Wire further demonstrates our commitment to innovation and bringing new technologies to the forefront of our business,” said Geff Scott, CEO of Business Wire. “I can’t wait to see the new ideas he helps bring to life for our clients.”
Jeff Smits – Chief Information Officer at Acumatica
Acumatica, an industry-leading business solutions provider, selected Jeff Smits as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, he will help to optimize Acumatica’s strategic technology initiatives and support its continued commitment to providing innovative tools to its community of partners, customers, and creators. Smits brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience driving initiatives at companies including eBay, PayPal, Salesforce, McAfee, DocuSign, RingCentral, and Prime Trust, among others. “It’s an honor to join a team of innovators and forward-thinkers at a company undergoing its next growth stage,” said Smits. “As the ERP space becomes increasingly focused on modern, future-proof technology, I look forward to collaborating on a solution dedicated to empowering small-to-mid-sized businesses to succeed in today’s competitive market.”
Brandon Bowlin – Chief Information Security Officer at Boise State University
Boise State University named Brandon Bowlin as Chief Information Security Officer. In this capacity, he will be responsible for overseeing Boise State’s information security, cybersecurity, and IT risk management programs based on industry-accepted information security and risk management frameworks. Bowlin joins the university from Ascent Solutions, where he served as the Director of Cyber Security Services. Before that, he served with Enabling Technologies Corp, Seitel Systems, Avanade, Bechtel Corporation, and the United States Marine Corps as a Communications Officer. Bowlin announced his new role on LinkedIn, saying “Well, the cat is out of the bag as there was a public article about it. The green banner is now officially gone and I have accepted a position as the new Boise State University CISO. Thanks to all who have helped me the past few months in finding new work, and I hope to do the school proud.”
Marlon Shears – Chief Information Officer at IDEA Public Schools
IDEA Public Schools, a national network of tuition-free, K-12 public charter schools in the United States, appointed Marlon Shears as Chief Information Officer. Shears joins IDEA Public Schools following a 2.5-year tenure as Chief Information Technology Officer at Fort Worth Independent School District. Before that, he held various positions with the Los Angeles Unified School District over a period of 17 years. “Marlon Shears is a highly regarded senior technology leader with a passion for empowering people with the tools to transform the lives of students and communities through education,” said Cody Grindle, president of IDEA Public Schools. “After a thorough search that attracted a wealth of talent and experience from internal and external candidates across the country, I am thrilled to welcome Shears as our new Information Systems and Technology area leader.”
Nick Hindle – Chief Information Officer at PuroClean
PuroClean, a leading brand in property restoration and remediation throughout the country, named Nick Hindle as Chief Information Officer. Hindle brings three decades of industry experience, having served with companies such as Next Gear Solutions, eGenuity, Wash Depot Holdings, Only Cookery, Press Sports, and DentalHQ, to name a few. “I’ve known of PuroClean since around 2011, and I’ve always been consistently impressed by the company culture and the culture of each franchisee’s location,” Hindle said. “I cannot wait to begin my next chapter with PuroClean in my new role as Chief Information Officer and continue to help grow the brand through our innovative and technological future.”
Denise Reilly-Hughes – Chief Information Officer for the State of Vermont
Denise Reilly-Hughes, who originally stepped into the role of Chief Information Officer for Vermont’s Agency of Digital Services (ADS) in an interim capacity in June, has been promoted to Secretary and permanent CIO for the state. She assumed the position of ADS Deputy Secretary in January and brings over 20 years of industry experience in total. “One of the goals is to ensure that I promote the culture of continuous improvement,” Reilly-Hughes said. “Technology is ever-changing, and if we can build our technology decisions into an operational maturity model that allows us to continue growing with that technology … then I feel like I have accomplished some of the things that I am setting out to do right now.”
David Leuci – Chief Information Officer at Stran & Company
Stran & Company (SWAG), a leading outsourced marketing solutions provider that leverages its promotional products and loyalty incentive expertise, appointed David Leuci as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Leuci will serve to enhance the company’s overall technology strategy, execution, and leadership. Leuci brings over 25 years of technology leadership experience and joins Stran & Company from The Energy Federation Inc., where he served as Chief Digital Information Officer. Prior to that, he served in various roles with companies, including the Unidine Corporation, Millennium Partners Sports Club Management LLC, IBM, and MRO Software, Inc. “We are excited to have David join our executive team. Given his extensive experience in the implementation of technology differentiators, both internal and customer-facing, we believe David will add significant value to our team,” said Andy Shape, Chief Executive Officer of Stran & Company.
David Koenig – Chief Information Officer at Delinea
Delinea, a leading provider of solutions that seamlessly extend Privileged Access Management (PAM), selected David Koenig as Chief Information Officer. In this capacity, he will be responsible for managing Delinea’s IT strategy and operations as well as leading the company’s business applications, infrastructure, and helpdesk teams. He brings over 25 years of experience in the global technology arena and joins the company from Sprinklr, where he served as CIO. “David has hands-on expertise working with some of the largest household brands and joins Delinea with a track record of building, managing, and enhancing robust IT infrastructures and programs,” said Art Gilliland, CEO of Delinea. “As a company, we are committed to providing the most seamless and secure digital experience for our customers, partners, and employees. Under David’s leadership, we’re excited to continue executing this mission.”
Deepak Bhatia – Chief Technology Officer at The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (HSY), an industry-leading snacks company, appointed Deepak Bhatia as its first Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective October 23. As CTO, Bhatia will spearhead Hershey’s global technology strategy. In doing so, he will be responsible for building and dispatching the digital capabilities necessary to meet the changing needs of the company’s consumers, retail partners, and employees. Bhatia joins the snack giant from Amazon, where he’s spent the last 12 years in the supply chain optimization side of the business. In his current role as Vice President of Supply Chain Optimization Technologies, he leads the group that manages software engineering, product management, and science for Amazon’s core supply chain management. Bhatia directs his team to create algorithms to improve the company’s inventory and operational efficiency on a global scale. “I am honored and humbled to be joining Hershey, a company with an incredible legacy and culture,” said Bhatia. “We are experiencing unprecedented technological innovation, and I am thrilled to spearhead the development and execution of a technology-driven transformation that will meet and exceed the evolving needs of our consumers and customers. I look forward to shaping a future of innovation and excellence.”
Jonathan Daplyn – Chief Information Officer at Clear Street
Clear Street, a New York-based independent prime broker, named Jonathan Daplyn as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, he will lead the company’s 150 technologists and head its product and engineering organization, among other duties. Daplyn joins Clear Street from Morgan Stanley, where he spent the last 27 years of his career in various technology leadership positions, ending his tenure as Head of Prime Brokerage Technology. “I am excited to join the Clear Street team at this pivotal moment,” Daplyn said. “With its cloud-native clearing and custody system, Clear Street is setting the standard for technology in risk management, execution management, portfolio management, and more. I look forward to partnering with Sachin and the team to deliver exceptional product experiences to our clients.”
Jason Greene – Chief Information Officer at Methodist University
Methodist University, an independent four-year institution of higher education based out of Fayetteville, NC, named Jason Greene as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Greene will oversee information technology and network security for the university, among other duties. He brings over 20 years of IT experience in the healthcare sector and joins the university from Lexington Medical Center, where he served as Director of Application Technology. “I am very excited and looking forward to this opportunity,” Greene said. “When President Wearden offered me this job, I was ecstatic. This is a tremendous opportunity to take my experience and move it to the next level in higher education. I’m looking forward to working with the entire IT team and making an impact on faculty, staff, and students here at Methodist University.”
William Figueroa – Chief Information Technology Officer at Integrated Oncology Network
William Figueroa was named as Chief Information Technology Officer at Integrated Oncology Network (IO Network). As CITO, he will lead the company’s efforts around streamlining operations, integrating cutting-edge technology, and enhancing patient care across its vast network of community-based clinics. Figueroa brings over 23 years of industry experience, leading teams at companies including Mercury Insurance, Franklin American Mortgage Company, naviHealth, Nations Lending, and Fast Pace Health, among others. “Our organization’s dedication to innovation and patient-centric care resonated deeply with me,” said Figueroa. “I’m honored to join IO Network and contribute to the advancement of healthcare technology, ensuring our clinics remain at the forefront of providing exceptional patient experiences.”
Julie Berry – Chief Information Officer at General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works
General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works, a full-service shipyard specializing in the design, building, and support of complex surface combatants for the U.S. Navy, selected Julie Berry as Chief Information Officer. In this capacity, Berry will be in charge of cybersecurity and the IT organization and serve on its senior leadership team as a Vice President. She joins the company from MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system where she served as Vice President managing IT. “I am beyond excited to be joining BIW,” stated Berry. “My family has a long lineage serving in various branches of the armed forces. I am honored for the opportunity to contribute to this valuable work that helps defend our nation by joining the BIW team and advancing information technology that will improve the infrastructure and processes in support of building ships for the US Navy.”
Robert Howerton – Chief Information Officer at Dovenmuehle
Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc., a leading mortgage subservicing company, appointed Robert Howerton as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, he will be responsible for upkeeping and expanding the company’s IT infrastructure. Howerton brings over 20 years of experience in the IT space, serving with companies such as The Kraft Heinz Company, Mr. Cooper, Santander Consumer USA, and most recently IBM. “I have a passion for being at the forefront of technology advancements, which has led me to work with cloud solutions, development, and infrastructure data centers and appreciate the art of automation,” said Howerton. “Implementing these systems for organizational benefits across the board is extremely rewarding. I’m pleased to join the team and eager to contribute to Dovenmuehle’s mission of delivering best-in-class mortgage servicing.”
Joseph Kowaleski – Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Great American Insurance Group
Great American Insurance Group, a property and casualty insurance company based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, promoted Joseph Kowaleski to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. As CIO, he will oversee the company’s IT strategy. Kowaleski joined the Great American Insurance Group in 2017 and most recently served as Divisional Senior Vice President, where he managed corporate applications and IT infrastructure. Prior to that, he served in a variety of roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Kowaleski received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Michigan and his Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University.
Stuart Riley and Shadman Zafar – Co-Chief Information Officers at Citi
Citi (C), a global banking institution connecting millions of people across hundreds of countries and cities, appointed Stuart Riley and Shadman Zafar as Co-Chief Information Officers. Zafar has served with Citi out of Dallas since 2017 and most recently served as CIO of Personal Banking & Wealth Management. Riley, on the other hand, has been with the company since 2010 out of London and most recently served as global head of the Institutional Client Group (ICG).
“As Citi’s Co-Chief Information Officers, we will focus on the ‘what’ – simplifying how we work, evolving our solutions and tech stacks – and, just as importantly, on the ‘how’ – building a truly unified organization that is always learning and growing, where our engineers and business partners succeed together,” according to a LinkedIn post from Zafar around his new role with Riley.
Dru Rai – Chief Information Officer for The State of New York
The State of New York has appointed Dru Rai as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, Rai will spearhead the state’s digital transformation efforts, working closely with state agencies to tailor smooth digital interactions with the government. Rai joins the state from Quaker Houghton Company, where he served as Chief Digital Officer. Before that, he served in CIO and CDO positions for the Ball Corporation, DuPont Coatings, and GE Advanced Material (a Division of GE). “It is a privilege to serve the state of New York and I am both excited and humbled by the opportunity, said New York State Chief Information Officer Dru Rai. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, I look forward to building a great team that will work cohesively to achieve the best possible digital solutions for all of our stakeholders. We will lean on the expertise of ITS to bring about a digital transformation that will improve the user experience and strengthen the trust between New Yorkers and their government. And we will promote collaboration across state agencies to ensure alignment with the state’s strategic IT objectives, common technology solutions that work not just for some but for all, and a commitment to listening to our partners during every step of the journey from idea to delivery.”
Mike Dobozy – Chief Technology Officer at Proforma, and Brian Carothers – Chief Information Officer
Proforma, a leader in the printing, promotional products, and packaging industries, selected Mike Dobozy as Chief Technology Officer. He brings over 20 years of industry experience, ranging from his time at companies including CGI-AMS, ARMS Software, and most recently, Red Hat.
“Having worked with Fortune 25 clients, I am very impressed with the software, team, and processes that Proforma has developed,” said Dobozy. “I look forward to adding my expertise and experience to the development of seamless automation, efficient workflow, and intelligent decision-making in the ProVision platform.”
The company also promoted Brian Carothers, who served as CTO since 2015, to Chief Information Officer. Before joining Proforma, Carothers served as CTO at ARMS Software.
Michael Saad – Chief Information Officer at Munson Healthcare
Munson Healthcare, northern Michigan’s largest and leading healthcare system, named Michael Saad as Chief Information Officer. Saad joins the healthcare system from The University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he served as SVP and CIO. Prior to that, he held senior leadership roles at BBDO Detroit, Henry Ford Health System, and TrustPoint Solutions. “I am excited to join Munson Healthcare and help lead the digital transformation with the focus on providing better access and care to the residents of northern Michigan,” said Saad. “It’s great to be back in my home state of Michigan.”
Elizabeth Stone – Chief Technology Officer at Netflix
Netflix (NFLX), one of the world’s leading entertainment services, promoted Elizabeth Stone to Chief Technology Officer. As CTO, Stone will oversee the company’s data and engineering teams and pair with Chief Product Officer Eunice Kim to help improve the overall customer experience.
Stone joined Netflix in 2020 to take charge of the Data and Insights team and work towards improving and evolving the business in areas including member-facing products, content, streaming delivery, and studio production, among others. “Technology has been critical to Netflix’s success over the last 25 years, enabling us to deliver an ever-improving member experience,” said Stone. “It’s a huge privilege to work with such amazing teams, and I am inspired by the opportunities to innovate into the future for the benefit of our members and our business.”
Alex Seidita – Chief Information Officer at Aspida Holdings
Aspida Holdings, Ltd., a provider of retirement and reinsurance solutions, selected Alex Seidita as Chief Information Officer. In this capacity, Seidita will oversee the initiatives, including application development, digital platform architecture and development, infrastructure, IT services, and data analytics. He joins the company from MetLife, where he spent the last 9 years in various technology leadership roles. Before that, he served with companies such as First Data Corporation, The Home Depot, and GE Aerospace, to name a few. “I am excited to be joining the Aspida team at such a pivotal time,” Seidita stated. “Aspida has built a solid technology foundation in an industry that has typically fallen behind the digital revolution, and I am honored to lead the team as we expand and advance the value we offer to our partners and clients.”
Ramon Richards – Chief Technology Officer at T. Rowe Price.
T. Rowe Price (TROW), an asset management firm focused on delivering global investment management excellence and retirement services, appointed Ramon Richards as Chief Technology Officer. As CTO, Richards will spearhead enterprise architecture functions, technology business solutions, and technology services. He joins the company following a 24-year tenure at Fannie Mae, where he finished out his time as the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “I am excited to join T. Rowe Price to lead the technology organization,” said Richards. “We will focus on technology innovation, delivering digital solutions and capabilities that will enable our business.”
Michael Delgado – Chief Information Officer at Unique Vacations
Unique Vacations, Inc., an affiliate of the worldwide representative of Sandals® Resorts and Beaches® Resorts, named Michael Delgado as Chief Information Officer. In this role, he will manage the development of digital and information technology functionalities to further the growth of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Delgado brings over 26 years of industry experience to the role, having previously served in senior leadership positions for TigerDirect Business, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Kipu Health, and most recently, Drake Food Services where he served as CIO. “Michael comes with a well-rounded international background that spans the latest in information technology and tools to meet our tremendous growth trajectory,” remarked Jeff Clarke, CEO of Unique Vacations, Inc. “We’re excited to see him continue to innovate our technology infrastructure to meet and harness new tools and platforms that will delight Sandals and Beaches guests with personalized experiences and world-class technology integration.”
Julia Rosen – Chief Information Officer at PERA Holdings
PERA Holdings, a national manager of mid-sized regional hospice and palliative care providers, named Julia Rosen as Chief Information Officer. Rosen joins the company from Centura Health, where she served as Chief Technology Officer and oversaw large-scale IT initiatives and a team of over 200 staff members. Before that, she served with companies including American Family Insurance, KPMG Global Services, Hitachi Insight Group, and Slalom, to name a few. “We are excited to see Julia join the management team at PERA,” said Steven Yecies, Managing Partner at Kain Capital and Co-Chairman of PERA Holdings. “We believe tech will be the growth engine for hospice services and, to that end, Julia’s deep background in healthcare IT and her experience with using enterprise technology to enhance services and build strategic partnerships will be integral to the Company as it scales over the next few years.”
Jim Routh – Chief Trust Officer at Saviynt
Saviynt, a leading provider of intelligent identity and access governance solutions, appointed Jim Routh as Chief Trust Officer. In this brand-new position, he will be responsible for putting together identity and access management (IAM) programs at Fortune 500 companies to serve Saviynt and its customers. Routh brings more than 30 years of experience to the role, having served with companies such as CVS, Aetna, KPMG, American Express, DTCC, MassMutual, and Transmit Security, among others. “Having a seasoned executive of Jim’s unquestionable stature join us is the highest illustration that Saviynt’s plan for the next generation of identity solutions is compelling,” said Saviynt President, Paul Zolfaghari. “We are excited to have his experience, acumen, and vision help drive our future direction.”
Steve Milligan – Chief Information Officer at Arkansas Tech University
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) promoted Steve Milligan to Chief Information Officer. He has served the university for more than 24 years, beginning as a computer support specialist in 1999 and working his way up to his previous position as Associate Director of the Information Systems department. “We have a great team of talented individuals, and I look forward to working with them to support the university’s vision and mission,” Milligan said. Milligan is an alumnus of ATU, having earned both his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and his Master of Science in Information Technology from the university.
Joe Van Derven – Chief Information Officer at Hoffmaster Group
Hoffmaster Group, a leading U.S. manufacturer of premium disposable tableware, named Joe Van Derven as Chief Information Officer. Van Derven joins Hoffmaster from Sartori Company, where he served as Vice President of Information Systems. Before that, he held leadership roles at Kimberly-Clark, Deloitte Consulting, Kohler Company, and Delta Apparel. Van Derven attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Wisconsin – Sheboygan County, an organization with the goal of helping students understand basic financial and entrepreneurial skills.
Ben Maddox – Chief Information Officer at Cornell University
Cornell University, a privately endowed research university and a partner of the State University of New York, appointed Ben Maddox as Chief Information Officer of its Ithaca campus and Cornell Tech, effective November 6. As CIO, he will be responsible for providing key leadership for Cornell Tech, Cornell Information Technologies, and campus IT groups, as well as working to create a more innovative and agile IT environment across the colleges and administrations. This role comes after 13 years with New York University, where Maddox will be ending his tenure as Chief Academic Technology Officer. “I am excited to welcome Ben and look forward to learning from his diverse experience,” CIO for Weill Cornell Medicine, Vipin V. Kamath said. “Ben’s enthusiasm and unique global perspective promise to enrich our collective journey. Together, we will not just merge paths but expand our horizons.”
Charles Clancy, Ph.D. – Chief Technology Officer at MITRE
MITRE, a nonprofit organization that operates multiple federally funded research and development centers to provide technical guidance to the U.S. government, appointed Charles Clancy, Ph.D. as Chief Technology Officer. Clancy also serves as Senior Vice President and General Manager of MITRE Labs. Clancy oversees MITRE’s team of scientists, engineers, and technologists. He also manages MITRE’s internal research and development program as well as collaborative research efforts with external partners. “Science and technology are critical to our nation’s future in an era of global strategic competition. Charles will leverage MITRE’s research activities to drive whole-of-nation impacts across MITRE’s work with sponsors and partners in industry, academia, and other non-profit organizations,” says MITRE president and CEO, Jason Providakes.
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In the context of sustained, relatively high turnover rates of CIOs (since the 1980s), it would be interesting to know why each of these individuals decided to move to a new organization. Recent research (at: http://www.thehardingmethod.org) suggests a key, underlying factor is demotivation arising from role ambiguity – a problem being exasperated as digitally maturing environments become increasingly dynamic.