STATE PROFILES   |   West Virginia

Kyle Schafer Chief Technology Officer Governor's Office of Technology Phone: (304) 558-8100 Fax: 3045580136 Year Appointed: 2005

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Biography

According to Governor Joe Manchin III, West Virginia’s Chief Technology Officer, Kyle Schafer, brings a wealth of technical knowledge and experience to the Office of Technology. During the past 4 years, Kyle has been tasked with the responsibility of consolidation, standardization and integration of the state’s technical infrastructure. His office is dedicated to accomplishing these goals by centralizing infrastructure responsibilities and standardizing hardware and software environments along with developing common IT policies and procedures across the state. Through these efforts, the State of West Virginia has significantly reduced the cost of IT while increasing customer satisfaction, network availability and reliability.

Prior to state government, Kyle gained a wealth of IT experience within the private sector. He is a 24 year veteran of Columbus-based NiSource Corporation where he served as the organization’s Director of Technology and Design. Positions held during his tenure at NiSource include Manager of Application Development, Director of Technology, Vice-President, and CTO. From 2000-2005, Kyle lead a team of over three hundred IT professionals with a primary focus on the centralization, consolidation, standardization and integration of NiSource’s technical infrastructure. His experience and skills in setting strategic direction and tactical plans has proven to be an asset to the state.

Over the next 4 years, Kyle will be implementing virtual office concepts in order to enhance mobility and productivity of state employees, developing a strategic approach to the state’s web portal, leading a statewide ERP implementation and diligently working with counties, municipalities, local school systems and telecommunication providers to expand broadband and cellular services throughout the state. In order to leverage resources and build upon common goals and objectives, many of these initiatives will be accomplished via public private partnerships.

Other Information

CIO Statute: SB 653 in 2006 or WVC 5A-6


IT Procurement Responsibility: Information Systems & Communications