Industry specialization is alive and well (and more CIO placements to report)

We seem to be in a hiring market of specialization where companies demand not only technical, leadership, and business skills of their new CIOs, but industry specialization as well. I’ve had more calls lately than I can count from CIOs who were “this close” to a new position but were beaten out by someone whose industry background was just a little more relevant. I’ve been thinking a bit about why this is: 1) hiring managers are risk averse right now and believe that the more they look, sound and smell like an insider, the greater their chance to hit it out of the park 2) given the perceived supply of talented CIOs on the market, companies believe that they can demand every item on their wish list – industry specialization being one of them.

The message here for CIOs on the move?  Think hard about the industries you are pursuing for employment and make sure your background looks like a fit. Don’t waste your time on CIO openings in industries where you have no experience.

At any rate, let’s get to it!

Level 3 Communications, Inc., a provider of fiber-based communications services, has selected Mark Martinet as CIO. Prior to his current role, Martinet was head of strategy and transformation for BT Group, reporting to the Group CIO. In this role, Martinet worked across the entire BT portfolio with a specific focus on business transformation and process improvement. Before joining BT in 2004, Martinet spent four years with Qwest in a variety of technology, business and product roles.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America today named Tom Bauer as new SVP and CIO. Bauer has served as interim CIO during the past three months. Bauer has more than 20 years of broad experience in IT functions in a variety of industries, including financial services. He joined Allianz in 2003 as vice president of customer services, and subsequently led application and infrastructure services. Bauer started his career with Electronic Data Systems, and spent 10 years with Chrysler Corporation. Most recently, he served as a director with Best Buy.

Hospira, a specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, has appointed Daphne Jones as its new CIO. Most recently, Jones served as the worldwide vice president of information technology and CIO for Johnson & Johnson's Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics.
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS185066+20-Oct-2009+PRN20091020

The BBC has announced the appointment of Tiffany Hall as its new CIO. She will be responsible for the strategic planning of the corporation's IT infrastructure, Information Security systems and support for BBC business systems and professional services teams which include HR, Marketing Communications & Audiences, Finance and Property. Hall joined the BBC from Shell in 1995.

Jason Pierson is the new CIO of HealthCare Insight (HCI), a division of Verisk Health and provider of clinically validated fraud, abuse, and overpayment prevention solutions for private and public-sector payors. Before joining HCI, Pierson spent many years facilitating technical teams in media, publishing, and health care claims processing throughout Michigan and Utah. Most recently, Pierson formed and operated his own software and technology consulting company.

Sam Lamonica is the new CIO of Rosendin Electric, a provider of contract electrical engineering, power, and communications services.  Prior to this role, Sam was CIO of Rudolph and Sletten.

Philip Agcaoili has joined Cox Communications as their Chief Information Security Officer. Previously, Agcaoili was directed the Global Information Security Assurance and Consulting organization at Dell and before that, he was the Chief Security Architect at Scientific Atlanta (A Cisco Company) and the Chief Information

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