CIOs on the Move for Jan. 28, 2011

Lowe’s Names CIO, NASA Appoints Security Exec

Home improvement giant Lowe’s has named a new CIO, and NASA has announced a deputy CIO of IT Security. Read on about these and other technology executive moves.

Lowe’s Companies Inc. recently named Michael Brown as CIO and executive vice president to replace Steven Stone, who is leaving the company to pursue other interests. Brown, who joined the company in 1984, has served as executive vice president of store operations and of Lowes.com since 2006, according to company officials. In his new capacity Brown will report to Chairman and CEO Robert A. Niblock.

“The importance of new and enhanced technology is accelerating in every facet of our business and is essential to the way we interact with our customers today and into the future,” said Niblock, in a prepared statement. “Mike has a deep understanding of our customers, operations and the strategic initiatives that will propel our future growth. This background has prepared him well to assume this important new assignment.”

Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s had $47.2 billion in sales for fiscal year 2009 and serves more than 15 million customers a week at more than 1,725 home improvement stores in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

NASA’s CIO Linda Cureton earlier this month appointed Valarie Burks as deputy CIO for Information Technology Security of the administration. Since 2009, Burks has served as the associate CIO for cyber and privacy policy and oversight at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she was responsible for Federal Information Security Management Act reporting as well as risk and crisis management, strategic oversight, and compliance.

Valarie has a significant background and experience in IT management, Cureton said in a prepared statement. That combined with her in-depth understanding of communications and holistic approach to IT security make her an invaluable asset to our efforts.

Burks has also had IT management responsibilities while working for the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Commerce, and the Government Accountability Office, according to NASA officials.

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. announced this week the appointment of Thomas Jansen as CIO, with responsibility to oversee all of the company’s IT functions including programming, computer operations, and technical support. Jansen most recently served as senior IT team leader at General Electric, and also help positions at Keane Inc. and Sithe Energies, according to Central Hudson officials.

“Information technology drives many of Central Hudson’s efforts to enhance productivity,” said James P. Laurito, President of Central Hudson, in a prepared statement. “We’re placing an even greater emphasis on utilizing new technologies to help streamline processes and lower operating costs, all while improving service to our customers,”

Jansen will report directly to Laurito. Founded in 1900, Central Hudson provides electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil and other petroleum products and services to residential and business customers in New York state’s Mid-Hudson River Valley.

Communication Intelligence Corp. (CIC) this week announced the appointment of Nhan Nguyen as the company’s chief scientist and CTO. Nguyen has more than twenty years experience and has held IT positions at companies including Pay By Touch, Yodlee, Aepona, Bank of America, and Northrop Grumman.

We are delighted to welcome Nhan to CIC, said Philip Sassower, Chairman and CEO of CIC, in a prepared statement. He is a talented and innovative technology leader to take CIC to the next level in serving not only financial institution and insurance company customers, but also additional market segments previously unaddressed by CIC.”

Based in Redwood Shores, Ca., CIC makes electronic signature solutions that use biometric verification, offering multiple signature technologies that work with a number of applications . The company’s products are available for on-premise use or as Software-as-a-Service offerings.

QinetiQ North America last week announced that John Lambeth has become CIO, responsible for strategic development of the company’s IT functions and management of its networking infrastructure. Lambeth most recently was vice president of Blackboard’s technology solutions group, and also held positions with Xerox, CIGNA, and Erickson Senior Living, according to QinetiQ officials.

John Lambeth has a strong track record of success in leading strategic IT programs and using technology to strengthen all aspects of an organization's business operations, including mergers and acquisitions integration, said Michael Stolarik, president and COO for QinetiQ North America, in a written statement. We are pleased and excited by his decision to join QinetiQ North America. We expect him to play an active role in developing both the strategy and tools to help us manage the company's business and data more efficiently and effectively.

Based in McLean, Va., QinetiQ North America is part of QinetiQ Group PLC and offers technology services to commercial and U.S. government customers.

Medical device company TransEnterix has announced the appointment of Richard Mueller as CTO, charged with overseeing the company’s research and development efforts. Mueller most recently was vice president of product development with NuVasive, a spinal device company. Mueller also held positions at Theken Spine, Volk Optical, and Proctor & Gamble, according to TransEnterix officials.

“With more than 100 medical device product launches under his belt, Rich knows how to effectively engage surgeons and advance innovative solutions that make their work easier and result in better patient care,” said Todd Pope, president and CEO of TransEnterix, in a written statement. “Given our vision of rapid innovation based on surgeon feedback, Rich is uniquely qualified to build upon the successful launch of our SPIDER® Surgical System.”

TransEnterix’s SPIDER Surgical System allows surgeons to perform operations through a single small incision, company officials said.

Healthcare communications network operator NaviNet last week appointed John Kelly as CIO, charged with leading technology initiatives at the company, including development of its unified patient information management (UPIM) platform. Kelly, who has more than 25 years of experience in health information technology, most recently held a senior executive position at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, according to NaviNet officials.

“As NaviNet continues to enhance our industry-leading communications platform for UPIM, John’s deep technical expertise and proven leadership as an industry thought leader rounds out a strong executive team,” said Brad Waugh, president and chief executive officer of NaviNet, in a written statement.

Based in Cambridge, Ma., NaviNet is a real-time network that links health plans, industry partners, and government officials with physicians, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals, according to officials. The company says more than 70 percent of the country’s physicians are enrolled in its network.

Vancouver-based Left of the Dot announced last week that Frank Michlick has joined the company as CTO, charged with helping the company grow its domain name monetization service. Left of the Dot has developed a platform that allows holders of premium domain names to lease sub-domains to small businesses and create recurring revenue streams, according to company officials.

“I am delighted that Frank has agreed to become our CTO,” said Left of the Dot co-founder Chris Jensen in a prepared statement. “We were looking for someone to drive our technology hand in hand with our rapidly growing business; Frank brings a skill set and business understanding that few people in the world can match. “

Prior to this appointment, Michlick founded CyberTeam, designed to help European brands build Internet presence, and also founded DomainCocoon, which provides domain name management services, custom registrar creation, and consulting, according to Left of the Dot officials.