New Year, New CIOs

Happy New Year!  2013 has started with a bang when it comes to CIO moves.  Big firms like CSC and KPMG have new CIOs, and start-ups like Groupon are seeing CIO changes as well.  With every company becoming a technology company (whether they like it or not), CEOs will be reviewing their IT leadership very carefully.  We should see some major changes this year.   Onto the news!

CSC named Doug Tracy as CIO. Tracy joins CSC from Dana Holding Corporation, where as VP and CIO, he integrated the global IT organization and improved the efficiency and business focus of the company’s applications and infrastructure assets. Previously, he had served at Rolls-Royce as Executive Vice President of IT for a $4 billion North American subsidiary and as global Chief Technology Officer with responsibility for IT strategy and architecture.

After over 30 years with Dominion Resources, Lyn McDermid, CIO, will retire effective February 1, 2013. Her replacement will be Steven A. Rogers, who currently serves as President, Dominion Resources Services and Chief Administrative Officer. Rogers joined Dominion in 1996 and became SVP and Chief Accounting Officer in January 2007, and was named to his current role in October 2007.

Alan McIntosh, former CIO of Groupon, moved to join IO, a provider of next-generation modular data center technology and services, as Senior Vice President of Global Technology Delivery. McIntosh’s previous experience includes designing and operating web scale global internet infrastructure at Groupon, CBS Interactive, CNET Networks and Oracle.

Tyler Best joined the YP leadership team in a newly created CIO position. In his role, Best will help strengthen the IT infrastructure and maximize the company’s ability to deliver digital solutions advertisers and users of YP.com and the YP Mobile app.  Most recently, Best was the CTO at Ally Financial and previously was the CIO at Vanguard Car Rental, the parent company of Alamo/National.

Baker Hughes, Inc., appointed Archana “Archie” Deskus as CIO and replaces Clif Triplett, who held the position for four years before leaving Baker Hughes. Most recently, Deskus served as VP and CIO of Ingersoll-Rand and had previously held CIO positions at Carrier North America and Timex Group.

Denis Edwards joined The Edelman Group as Global CIO to oversee the agency’s internal and client-facing technology infrastructure in all of Edelman’s offices and sister agencies worldwide. He brings with him over 20 years experience in global technology systems and was recognized for his most recent work at The Man Power Group by Forbes and InformationWeek. 

Coach, Inc., a leading marketer of modern classic American accessories, announced the appointment of Christine Putur as EVP and CIO, effective January 22, 2013. Putur joins Coach from Staples, Inc., where she was SVP and CIO responsible for IT strategy and implementation globally for the company. Before Staples, she was with Compaq Computer Corporation. 

LPL Financial LLC announced that Victor Fetter was appointed CIO and managing director of the company’s Business Technology Services unit.  He will also serve as a member of the firm’s Executive Management Committee. Fetter, a 22-year IT industry veteran, will join LPL Financial from Dell Inc., where he was VP and CIO of Dell Online, responsible for delivering global solutions for Dell’s consumer and commercial customers.  Fetter will replace Chris Feeney who will retire after five years of service with LPL Financial and more than 30 years in the financial services technology industry.

KPMG LLP announced the appointment of Harry Moseley to CIO to succeed Richard Anderson, who is retiring. As CIO, Moseley will work closely with KPMG’s Management Committee and business leaders on all aspects of the firm’s technology platform and capabilities.  Moseley’s technology career spans more than 30 years and has been primarily focused within the financial services industry. Most recently, he was the CIO of The Blackstone Group, a premier global investment and advisory firm. 

Carey Lowrey joined Spencer Gifts as CIO.  Carey has an extensive retail background with leadership roles at AutoZone, Best Buy and, most recently, Sports Authority. Spencer Gifts runs retail operations as Spencer Gifts as well as Spirit Halloween and ToyZam! brands.

Steve Strout has moved to Shred-It, an information security company providing document destruction services, as CIO.  Previously, Strout was the CEO of Black Watch Data, a data governance and management software company. He was a charter member of the CIO Executive Council, speaks at many global conferences, and has co-authored a number of books on Big Data and Data Sustainability.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC) announced that Steven C. Van Wyk will replace Vice Chairman Thomas K. Whitford, whose retirement will be effective March 2013, as head of Operations and Technology. Van Wyk will join the company as EVP and serve as a member of the Executive Committee beginning in January. Prior to his appointment at PNC, Van Wyk served as Global Chief Operating Officer for ING. He was promoted to that position in 2007, one year after joining ING as CIO of the America’s Division.

Joseph Santamaria has been named CIO of Public Service Enterprise Group. He previously served as CIO of ULA Holdings Corporation and VP, Enterprise Business Applications of Pitney Bowes, a leading provider of customer communication technologies.

Until next time, 

Martha