New CIOs at Crawford & Co., Gottschalks and Coalition America

Kevin Kujawa was promoted from SVP of IT to EVP and CIO of American Specialty Health (ASH). He serves on the company’s newly created senior executive team. Kujawa joined ASH in 1995. He’s been in charge of the company’s software programming, network administration, telecommunications, data analysis and reporting, and web development functions. Prior to ASH, Kujawa spent the earlier part of his 18-year tenure in the IT industry with Prudential Healthcare Systems and Aetna Health Plans. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Hosting solutions provider Logicworks formed a strategic advisory board and named two IT leaders to it, the company announced today. Mykolas Rambus, Forbes Media‘s head of IT and special projects, serves as the board’s chairman. The CIO of the United States Tennis Association, Larry Bonfante, also sits on the board. For details on Rambus’ and and Bonfante’s credentials, check out Logicworks’ press release.

Brian Flynn joined claims management services provider Crawford & Co. as its SVP and global CIO, the company announced yesterday. He reports to the CEO. Flynn most recently worked for international travel management company BCD Travel where he was in charge of IT. He also previously worked for Bell South managing the telco’s IT operations, software development and support. Flynn graduated from Appalachian State University with degrees in IT, finance and economics.

Regional department store chain Gottschalks announced that it had hired a vice president of IT on December 6, the same day the company announced disappointing results for its fiscal third quarter. Robert Vernick has 30 years of IT experience. He reports to VP and COO Gregroy Ambro. Vernick comes to the Fresno, Calif.-based retailer from Friedman’s Inc., where he was VP and CIO. He previously worked for Fred’s Inc. and Bradlees Inc. as VP of IT. He also previously worked for Motorola.

Union Bank of California made its SVP and CTO, Mok Choe, an executive vice president last Thursday, December 6. Choe, who joined the bank in 2006, oversees the company’s IT and is responsible for leading the development of new technologies. Prior to Union Bank, Choe was CIO of DoubleClick and co-CIO of Ameritrade. He holds and MBA from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts.

Greg Comrie joined Coalition America as the Atlanta, Ga.-based company’s new CIO last week. Over the course of his 20-year career in IT, Comrie has worked for McKesson, VeriSign, General Electric and Webroomz. The six sigma black belt has served on the national board of the CRM Association.