Benjamin Shier appointed interim CIO

Dr. Beverly Shuford has appointed Benjamin Shier as interim CIO for UAA effective Dec. 2. Later this year, UAA will launch a recruitment for a permanent CIO.

Shier comes to UAA with rich experience, most recently at the State of Alaska, Office of Information Technology (SOA OIT), where he has served in a variety of positions over the past three years, most recently as the interim chief information officer and as the chief technology officer for the Portfolio, Planning & Policy department. Other positions Shier held with SOA OIT include interim deputy chief information officer, chief finance and workforce officer, and interim director. In his time with SOA OIT, he oversaw 240 employees, with responsibility for all budget and human resources matters. He also coordinated high-impact, enterprise-wide strategic initiatives, including efforts to centralize IT staff and resources for the State of Alaska, and has been involved in all aspects of information technology within SOA OIT, even representing the division with the legislature.

Prior to working for SOA OIT, Shier spent five years at the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, where he served as quality assurance officer and assistant director of program operations. In this role, he was responsible for leading agency teams and priority initiatives, including internal process improvement, regulatory and cyber security compliance, lean transformation, institutional authorization program review, and research and development initiatives.

Additionally, Shier worked as a media technology coordinator for Gov. Sean Parnell and special assistant for Regulations and Citizen’s Initiatives, and has over two years experience as an analyst/programmer for various State of Alaska agencies

Shier received an M.P.A. and B.S. in information technology (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). During his time as a student at UAS, he served as a student body senator and vice president, and participated in several UA system-wide efforts.