Two new CIO announcements

Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. hired Larry Murphy as its new CIO.  He reports to Joseph Lydon, president and chief operating officer of the San Diego-based mortgage banking company, and fills the vacancy created by the departure of James Pathman.

Murphy, 63, was a private consultant in the financial services and technology sector in San Diego before joining Accredited.  Previously, he was executive vice president of strategic planning for CoorsTek, a ceramics manufacturer based in Golden, Colo.; Pacific Region banking director for Accenture; chief of operations and technology at Union Bank of California; and president and CEO of Security Pacific Information Services, a division of Security Pacific Corp. (since merged into Bank of America).

Thanks to the Movers & Shakers reader who told me he heard David Bowen had left his post as SVP and CIO of Blue Shield of California.  A spokesperson for the health insurer confirmed that Bowen’s last day with the company was August 19, 2005 even though he remained listed on the company’s website as its SVP and CIO as of August 29.  The spokesperson said she didn’t know why he left or where he went. 

If any of you hear rumors of CIOs getting hired or fired, let me know and I’ll find out whether they’re fact or fiction.