Brian Roberts outlines new direction, organization for ITS
February 16, 2007
Brian Roberts, CIO and Vice President for Information Technology, has announced changes in the leadership, organization and management responsibilities of Information Technology Services (ITS). These changes are designed to streamline the management infrastructure of ITS so that internal groups and services are better equipped to meet the technology needs and goals of The University of Texas at Austin.
“It’s important that we explore and take advantage of the unmistakable synergies that exist within ITS,” says Roberts. “By fully exercising this potential, ITS is better equipped to not only support the academic mission of the university, but to enhance it.” Roberts points out that these changes to the leadership structure will more clearly identify ITS capabilities on our campus.
Creating a more defined role for ITS by grouping interrelated capabilities is a direct result of feedback supplied to Roberts from campus IT stakeholders. Since assuming the role of CIO and VP for Information Technology in October 2006, Roberts has dedicated time to collecting opinions from the campus community on how to simplify and support a common system of IT decision-making, or governance, to best serve the university.
To continue supporting the mission and core values of the university, Roberts has organized all ITS units under three Associate Vice President (AVP) positions:
Associate Vice President, Operations
The position of AVP, Operations will be held by Ron Williams. This position oversees all of the major technical functions of ITS, including networking, applications, data center and systems. “Ron is the very best choice for this role,” says Roberts. “He has shown great flexibility, insight and leadership in transforming a number of ITS units during transition periods.” In a short time, Ron has served in a number of capacities within ITS including Assistant Director of Telecommunications and Networking (T&N), Director of University Data Centers and, most recently, Interim Director of User Services.
“The newly formed ITS Operations group was created to bring our technical teams—supporting the data centers, network, servers, telecommunications and applications—into a single organization focused on end-to-end services,” says Williams. “By aligning these groups, measuring our performance, and developing better lines of communication with our customers, we can achieve our goal of operational excellence.”
Associate Vice President, Business Services
The position of AVP, Business Services will be held by LB Brady. Brady steps into the AVP, Business Services position after her previous ITS role as Director of Administration. Brady will oversee two main functional areas: the Business Office and a new initiative for ITS: the Projects Office. The Business Office includes such entities as Accounting and Sales, ITS Human Resources, Purchasing, Contracts, and the Campus Computer Store. “LB possesses a powerful business acumen that will serve her well in overseeing all ITS business processes,” states Roberts. “Her new role will also provide her with opportunities to create new functions and services ITS can provide our campus.”
“It’s important that ITS have a clear set of business processes and functions that help our staff in carrying out their duties to support the university,” says Brady. “I look forward to continuing to find ways to streamline these processes. I also look forward to launching the Projects Office and establishing an important new service for our campus.” The Projects Office will bring increased efficiency and organization to the selection, delivery and reporting of ITS projects.
Associate Vice President, Customer Services
A third Associate Vice President of Customer Services has yet to be named. An open search is underway to identify the best candidate possible. This position will lead such ITS groups as the Help Desk, User Services and the newly-created Education and Development office. The Education and Development office is designed to build on the strong history of the current Analyst Training program and provide life-long technical learning opportunities for IT staff throughout campus.
“One of my primary goals in making these organizational changes is to build a strong leadership base for IT decision-making on our campus,” states Roberts. “I am confident this new team will establish new standards of operational excellence that meet the present and future technology goals of The University of Texas at Austin.”
