Governor Henry announced today the employment of Texan Alex Pettit as the state’s new Chief Information Officer.
Pettit, who has information systems experience in both the public and private sectors, will begin his duties on April 5. A new law approved by the 2009 Legislature authorized the governor to appoint a chief information officer to oversee all state computer information and technology operations. Today’s announcement follows a national search for qualified candidates. “Our national search attracted some great people, but I felt Alex Pettit was best suited to take on this challenging and important task,” said Gov. Henry. “With his experience in the public and private sectors, I think he will be ready to hit the ground running.” Pettit, a technology consultant based in Denton, TX, is currently a project manager for Brown University. He also served as the chief technology officer for the City of Denton, TX, for 10 years in addition to holding similar information management positions in the private sector. Pettit holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in the same field from Loyola University of Chicago. He is currently working on doctor of philosophy degree in information sciences at the University of North Texas.