CIO Announcements from Unum, Vertafore, Bowne and more

Kathy Owen and Brent Rogers Promoted at Unum

Unum promoted two IT executives, the employee benefits provider announced yesterday. Kathy Owen went from SVP of information technology business applications to CIO. The company’s SVP of operations and corporate systems, Brent Rogers, was appointed CTO. Rogers, who has worked for Unum since 1984, reports to Owen.

Owen has held numerous roles in IT at the Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company over the course of her 32 year tenure. She joined the former Provident Companies in 1975. In her new role, Owen is responsible for all IT operations, risk management and corporate systems.

Darryl Lemecha joined insurance industry software provider Vertafore as its SVP and CIO yesterday. Lemecha most recently worked for ChoicePoint, the company whose 2005 data breach cost it a $15 million fine from the FTC, as its CIO. Prior to ChoicePoint, Lemecha served as Insignia Financial Group‘s vice president and CIO.

Bowne & Co. appointed Elaine S. Beitler to SVP of manufacturing, business integration and CIO on Monday. Beitler, 48, most recently served as president of Bowne Marketing and Business Communications. Previously, she was SVP and general manager of Bowne Enterprise Solutions, and she held CTO title at the provider of financial, marketing and business communications services. Beitler joined Bowne in 1998.

Sonic Automotive hired Heath R. Byrd as its vice president and CIO earlier this month. The Charlotte, N.C.-based car seller announced its hire of Byrd on November 13. Byrd joins the company from IT/HR outsourcing company Gevity, where he was vice president of operations. Prior to Gevity, he was president and CIO of HR America. The United States Air Force Academy attendee graduated from North Carolina State University and earned a Master’s degree in health administration from Duke University.