Industry specialization is alive and well (and more CIO placements to report)

We seem to be in a hiring market of specialization where companies demand not only technical, leadership, and business skills of their new CIOs, but industry specialization as well. I’ve had more calls lately than I can count from CIOs who were “this close” to a new position but were beaten out by someone whose industry background was just a little more relevant. I’ve been thinking a bit about why this is: 1) hiring managers are risk averse right now and believe that the more they look, sound and smell like an insider, the greater their chance to hit it out of the park 2) given the perceived supply of talented CIOs on the market, companies believe that they can demand every item on their wish list – industry specialization being one of them.

The message here for CIOs on the move?  Think hard about the industries you are pursuing for employment and make sure your background looks like a fit. Don’t waste your time on CIO openings in industries where you have no experience.

At any rate, let’s get to it!

Level 3 Communications, Inc., a provider of fiber-based communications services, has selected Mark Martinet as CIO. Prior to his current role, Martinet was head of strategy and transformation for BT Group, reporting to the Group CIO. In this role, Martinet worked across the entire BT portfolio with a specific focus on business transformation and process improvement. Before joining BT in 2004, Martinet spent four years with Qwest in a variety of technology, business and product roles.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America today named Tom Bauer as new SVP and CIO. Bauer has served as interim CIO during the past three months. Bauer has more than 20 years of broad experience in IT functions in a variety of industries, including financial services. He joined Allianz in 2003 as vice president of customer services, and subsequently led application and infrastructure services. Bauer started his career with Electronic Data Systems, and spent 10 years with Chrysler Corporation. Most recently, he served as a director with Best Buy.

Hospira, a specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, has appointed Daphne Jones as its new CIO. Most recently, Jones served as the worldwide vice president of information technology and CIO for Johnson & Johnson’s Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS185066+20-Oct-2009+PRN20091020

The BBC has announced the appointment of Tiffany Hall as its new CIO. She will be responsible for the strategic planning of the corporation’s IT infrastructure, Information Security systems and support for BBC business systems and professional services teams which include HR, Marketing Communications & Audiences, Finance and Property. Hall joined the BBC from Shell in 1995.

Jason Pierson is the new CIO of HealthCare Insight (HCI), a division of Verisk Health and provider of clinically validated fraud, abuse, and overpayment prevention solutions for private and public-sector payors. Before joining HCI, Pierson spent many years facilitating technical teams in media, publishing, and health care claims processing throughout Michigan and Utah. Most recently, Pierson formed and operated his own software and technology consulting company.

Sam Lamonica is the new CIO of Rosendin Electric, a provider of contract electrical engineering, power, and communications services.  Prior to this role, Sam was CIO of Rudolph and Sletten.

Philip Agcaoili has joined Cox Communications as their Chief Information Security Officer. Previously, Agcaoili was directed the Global Information Security Assurance and Consulting organization at Dell and before that, he was the Chief Security Architect at Scientific Atlanta (A Cisco Company) and the Chief Information Security Officer at VeriSign.

There has been quite a bit of CIO activity in the IT industry.

Stream Global Services, a CRM and BPO services provider, has appointed Robert Lyons as Chief Technology and Information Officer. Lyons brings more than 20 years of strategic technology and information systems experience to Stream. He comes to Stream most recently from Avaya and before that, from Convergys.

https://avaya-news.tmcnet.com/news/2009/09/24/4389801.htm

Emtec, a systems integrator, has appointed Siva Natarajan as its chief information officer. Natarajan will also continue to serve as managing director of Emtec Global Service’s ERP consulting practice and application development practice, formerly Luceo, a division of Emtec, which he founded prior to its acquisition by Emtec.

PlumChoice, an online computer support provider, announced that Charles Welti is its new CIO. Welti’s experience includes serving as VP of Enterprise Architecture at State Street Bank, a NYSE-traded provider of financial services to institutional investors, as well as holding a variety of information technology positions with Investors Bank and Trust, Veridiem and IBM Global Services.

Proving the point that non-profits need technology leadership and are a great place for CIOs to spread their boardroom wings, Guy Chiarello, CIO of JPMorgan Chase, has recently joined the Board of Directors of NPower, a nonprofit IT services network.

George Chappelle has parlayed his experience as CIO and SVP of Supply Chain into a COO position.  Solo Cup Company, a provider of single-use products used to serve food and beverages, recently that Chappelle will be joining the company as its new COO. Chappelle was previously employed by Sara Lee Corporation where he held senior leadership positions in operations and information technology including CIO. Chappelle was also CIO of H.J. Heinz Company.

Perry Rotella joined Verisk Analytics, a risk assessment and decision analytics provider, CIO. He is responsible for the development and execution of information technology initiatives at Verisk Analytics in support of the company’s business.

Before joining Verisk, Rotella CIO of Moody’s Corporation, where he served as the first CIO for the corporation and was responsible for all aspects of information technology strategy, support, and operations globally.

Thanks for listening.  Keep sending me news and stay tuned for more announcements in November.

Martha Heller

Managing Director, IT Leadership Practice

ZRG Partners

mheller@zrgpartners.com