CIOs wear more hats

Zahid Afzal, who joined Huntington Bank in Ohio in 2006, has recently joined a burgeoning band of CIOs who are adding business operations to their IT responsibilities.  (Sorry for the shameless self promotion, but please see my column on this topic, A New Role for CIOs).  As of April 1, Zahid will have corporate wide responsibilities over technology and operations.

In a similar vein, Enzo Micali, formerly CIO of 1-800-Flowers and TNS North America, joined Harris Interactive last week as Global EVP of Technology and Operations.  Reporting to the company’s President and CEO, Enzo will focus on streamlining and automating end-to-end workflows, collaborating with the Harris Center for Innovation to leverage technology to create new revenue streams, and building a seamless global platform to build out the infrastructure of the company.

As if running IT alone were not challenging enough, Gene Batchelder, has added a whole slew of administrative functions to his plate at ConocoPhillips. In the newly created Chief Administrative Officer role, Gene will responsible for global shared services, HR, facilities, IT, security, aviation, executive services and corporate affairs.  Interestingly (and part of a trend I am seeing during this downturn), the company is not naming a new CIO. Rather, Marty Schoenthaler, has been promoted from his role of general manager, IS to general manager of corporate IT.

Also last week, Kristi Eller was named CIO for Yadkin Valley Bank and Trust Company in Elkin, NC, Kristi brings 25 years of financial services experience to the company.

I was delighted to see that amidst what appears to be a painful slow death for the printed word, Indie book publisher Author Solutions (ASI) announced the appointment of James Stanley to the role of CIO.

Saveology.com, a consumer comparison-shopping portal, announced the arrival of Steve Smith CIO last week. Prior to joining Saveology.com, Steve was CIO of Idearc Media and held leadership roles at EDS, Sabre and IBM. In his new role, Steve will oversee all aspects of technology for the company including application development, infrastructure services, and product innovation. ” 

Brian Berry recently left the Bancorp Bank in Wilmington, DE to join Citadel Federal Credit Union of Thorndale, PA as the CIO.

NuUnion Credit Union in Lansing, MI recently announced the promotion of Jennifer Kurzynowski to the role of CIO where she will provide leadership over electronic banking systems, web based services information, network and telecommunication systems. Formerly VP of E-Commerce, Jennifer was responsible for the development and operation of all electronic banking channels.

Mississippi College has appointed Bill Cranford as permanent CIO after his eight month stint in an interim position. Bill joined MC as network support manager in 2000.

And still catching up on last year’s moves, I was just on the phone with Simon Moorhead, who is enjoying his role as CIO of Bank of England, which he began late in 2008.

And Brent Nair left FedEX for the CIO role at Wunderlich Securities.

Thanks so much for tuning in, and keep sending me news!

Martha

Martha Heller

Managing Director, IT Leadership Practice

ZRG Partners

mheller@zrgpartners.com