Ford’s incoming CIO makes U-turn
Ford Motor Company has revealed that its newly named CIO Vijay Sankaran has opted not to rejoin the company.
Vijay Sankaran was set to rejoin Ford on November 16 in the new role, following seven years at TD Ameritrade. According to the Ford announcement, Sankaran “is taking some time off to spend time with his family before entering the next phase of his career.” Instead, current CIO Jeff Lemmer, who is slated to retire on January 1, will continue in his role through the rest of the year.
At TD Ameritrade, Sankaran and his team led the financial trading company’s digital transformation projects. He was credited with introducing new client-facing mobile applications, infusing capabilities enabled by artificial intelligence to deliver client personalization and self-service, and scaling its trading platform fivefold to accommodate the stock-trading boom spawned by the coronavirus pandemic.
At Ford, Sankaran was slated to lead Ford’s global Technology and Software Platform group, accountable for software and information technology capabilities that streamline operations. This would have been Sankaran’s second stint at Ford. He left Ford in 2013, vacating his former role as CTO of Ford IT. Before being promoted as CTO, he worked in several roles including director of application development and director of Infrastructure Operations. His stint at Ford began in 2001 as IT strategy analyst.
In other recent appointments and career moves:
Richard Branson's space tourism company Virgin Galactic Holdings has appointed Alistair Burns as CIO. In this newly created role, Alistair will be responsible for delivering the technology strategy for Virgin Galactic as it seeks to develop and operate the world’s first commercial spaceline. He will oversee the IT infrastructure that is critical in supporting the company’s operations and enabling it to achieve its unique objectives. Previously, he worked as senior vice president and CIO at OSI Systems, a designer and manufacturer of specialized electronic systems and components for critical applications. Before that, Alistair held a number of senior leadership positions at FTSE 100-listed manufacturing giant Meggitt Plc, specializing in components and subsystems for aerospace, defense and energy markets.
Electric and natural gas utility company CenterPoint Energy has appointed Kenneth E. Coleman as vice president and CIO. He will lead the company's enterprise-wide information technology strategy, including the development, maintenance, use and security of CenterPoint Energy's computer systems, software and networks. He will report to Gregory Knight, Executive Vice President, Customer Transformation and Business Services. Previously, Coleman worked at Southern Company and its subsidiaries in various roles including senior vice president and CIO.
Dallas-based retailers and distributor of professional beauty supplies Sally Beauty Holdings has promotedMary Beth Edwards to senior vice president, CIO and chief transformation officer. Since April 2019, Edwards has served as Group Vice President, Global Sourcing at the company. Before joining Sally Beauty, she was Vice President of Global Operations at Arrow Electronics for six years.
Teradata has appointed Erica Hausheer as CIO. She will lead Teradata’s IT strategy and operations, including security. Previously, she was senior vice president and CIO of 3D Systems. Prior to 3D Systems, Hausheer spent 20 years at Hewlett Packard/Hewlett Packard Enterprise, including vice president of global architecture for the newly formed HPE.
And…
Goodwill has appointed Dru Rai as CIO.
Lego has appointed Atul Bhardwaj as executive vice president and CIDO.
Korn Ferry has appointed Satish Gannu as CTO.
Verizon Wireless has appointed Joy Taylor Brown as CDO.
Wendy’s has appointed Kevin Vasconi as CIO.
Baxter has appointed Talvis Love as senior vice president and CIO.
Syneos Health has appointed Larry Pickett as executive vice president and Chief Information and Digital Officer.
United Health Group has appointed Julie Durham as CTO.
Boeing Employees Credit Union has appointed Fumbi Chima as executive vice president and CIO.
Allianz has appointed Yen Lai as CTO.
Bank of New York Mellon has appointed Hans Brown as CIO for Corporate Technology.
Whirlpool has appointed Danielle Brown as senior vice president and CIO.
National Institutes of Health has appointed Steve Fabry as CIO.
Dallas County has appointed Melissa Kraft as CIO.
Illumina has appointed Steve Phillpott as CIO.
Lear has appointed Scott Bennett as interim CIO.
Cantel Medical has appointed Michael Dexel as senior vice president and CTO.
Sheetz has appointed Will Lewis as CDO.
Atlas has appointed Britni Aucoin as CTO.
