Office of the Chief Information Officer Press Release
The University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

WRITER: Bert DeSimone, 706/338-9849, bert@uga.edu
CONTACT: Brenda Elliot, 706/425-3136, bje66red@uga.edu

EITS enhances leadership team with two executive hires

ATHENS, Ga.— Enterprise Information Technology Services (EITS) is beginning the new year with two executive hires to complement the existing EITS senior leadership team. Alan Katz will be joining the organization as the new director of Finance and Business Services. Brian Rivers is the new director of Security, Network Operations, and Infrastructure.

Both Katz and Rivers will begin their tenures at UGA the first week of January.

Alan Katz, new director of Finance and Business Services

"Alan brings experience with higher education and has expertise in developing financial models," said Dr. Barbara A. White, chief information officer and associate provost for UGA. "This experience will lend itself as we move forward in developing a comprehensive IT funding model. He understands policy and has a demonstrated record in building collaboration."

Katz comes to UGA from Cornell University, where he served as chief financial officer for the $24 million Intercollegiate Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation and Wellness programs, as well as 8 enterprise businesses. He has over 26 years of progressively increasing financial, administrative, and teaching responsibilities with General Foods Corporation, Pepsi-Cola Company, Binghamton University, Broome Community College, and Cornell University.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to join Dr. White's team in helping to build sustainable partnerships within UGA," said Katz. As director of Finance and Business Services, Katz will have oversight of a budget that includes $14 million in central funding and $8.5 million from cost-recovery units.

Brian Rivers, new director of Security, Network Operations, and Infrastructure

Rivers is leaving R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, where he was responsible for voice and data communications, as well as security services. Other responsibilities included communications infrastructure operations and strategy, contract negotiation, budget and portfolio management, and policy and standards development.

"I am extremely excited that Brian is joining our organization," said Mike Dennis, associate CIO for Client Services, Infrastructure and Operations. "He has computer science and mathematics degrees and brings extensive experience in managing large network infrastructures."

Rivers will provide leadership in a number of critical information technology areas at UGA, including the University's vast video and data network as well as operational security of UGA's technology resources.

"I have long held great admiration and respect for the work and contributions made by the University of Georgia," said Rivers. "I am thrilled to be a part of this great organization and driven to make a powerful contribution toward its continued success."

About the Office of the CIO and EITS
The Office of the Chief Information Officer and Enterprise Information Technology Services (EITS) are committed to the mission of UGA as a land-and-sea-grant institution where academics come first and the research extensive university community encourages research efforts at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To that end, under the direction of the University´s Chief Information Officer, EITS endeavors to provide a robust, reliable, and secure information technology infrastructure, maintain essential production services, and offer world-class support.