CIOs and Social Media

Lately, I have been spending a lot of time talking with CIOs about their mandate to establish a social media strategy for their companies.  It struck me as odd that CIOs, who are not always considered to be the heart and social of the culture of a company, are now responsible for driving a strategy that is foundational to the a company’s culture.  What communications options will the new generation of employees have at their disposal?  With what platforms will we broadcast our brand?  These decisions have a major impact on how a company is perceived both internally and externally and rest squarely on the shoulders of the CIO.  

On the hiring front (the subject of this blog, after all), I am finding that more and more CEOs are looking for CIO candidates who have a handle on social media.

Now, onto the news.

Akamai Technologies, a global Internet content delivery network, has appointed Kumud Kalia as its CIO. Kalia was previously an executive vice-president (customer operations) at Direct Energy, an energy and services business operating in USA and Canada. He has also been the vice-president and CIO of the business markets group of Qwest Communications International; CIO for Dresdner Group in North America; president at Lone Tree Executive Solutions; and VP at Qwest Communications.

Gregg Ericson has been named CIO  of Maxim Healthcare. Ericson also joined Maxim from the Broadlane Group where he was executive vice president and CIO. He oversees Maxim’s information services department and supports the company’s strategic IT initiatives, including the implementation of new software systems designed to support quality care and enhance compliance throughout the company’s operations.

San Francisco National Airport has tapped Michael Dearman to be their new CIO.   Prior to this role, Dearman served as CIO for the County of Riverside CA and has held multiple municipal positions in the California area.

Tony Morabito has joined The Hillman Group in Springfield Township as CIO.  Cincinnati-based Hillman is a distributor of fasteners, key duplication systems, engraved tags, and related hardware items to retailers in North and South America and Australia.

Ken Faw was named CIO of American Laser Skincare. He joins the company from Agile Software where he was Chief Innovation Officer and CTO.

Michael Pickels has been named CIO of Highpoint Regional Health Systems,  a not-for-profit Health System governed by a volunteer, community-based board of trustees.

Eric Perakslis, former chief information officer of R&D information technology at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical R&D, has joined the Food and Drug Administration as its new CIO and chief scientist of informatics.   Perakslis  spent 13 years serving at Johnson & Johnson and held multiple roles including senior vice president and head of informatics for the corporate office of science and technology.

New York City Department of Education announced the appointment of Kemi Akinsanya-Rose as CIO.  In her role as CIO, Ms. Akinsanya-Rose will be responsible for the planning and direction of major technology initiatives and ensuring their alignment with the Department’s overall goal of supporting and advancing student achievement.

Ms. Akinsanya most recently served as Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives in the office of the Chief Operating Officer, where she was responsible for implementation of the DOE’s central office performance management initiatives, conducting operational reviews, and managing the $269 million Race to the Top grant. She is currently completing her Executive Residency in Urban Education through the Eli Broad Foundation. Before joining the DOE, Ms. Akinsanya spent 14 years at American Express where she held various roles including leading a national customer service call center and launching an interactive online sales application

Scott Shadle, a 22-year information solutions veteran with global technology, business, and aviation experience, has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Aviall, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. Shadle will oversee all aspects of information technology at Aviall.

Alan McIntosh was named CIO of Groupon. Alan joins the company from CBS Interactive, where he was Vice President of Technology Operations.