UNC tech chief to take CIO role at Appalachian State

Keith Werner is departing his role with the University of North Carolina System Office to take on a new challenge as chief information officer at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, the institution announced last week.

Werner currently serves as the UNC System Office’s vice president of information technology strategy and cybersecurity. He will begin his new role at App State on March 18, according to an Appalachian State press release.

“I am confident that Keith — who has 30 years of experience delivering innovative and strategic solutions to the public sector and higher education — will ensure we are well positioned in an environment in which information technology is, on a global scale, increasing in complexity and sophistication,” Appalachian State Chancellor Sheri Everts said in the release. 

In his new role, Werner will oversee a team of 100 IT professionals, ranging from experts in academic technologies to information security, according to the university. He’ll also oversee IT for the university’s libraries and business systems, as well as its Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success and Electronic Student Services. Werner will be responsible for developing and implementing App State’s strategic IT plans as well as its resources and services.

At UNC, Werner oversaw IT operations, policy and standards, information security, applications development software licensing.

Werner was a recipient of the Bright Ideas award through Harvard’s Kennedy Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.

“Keith has vast experience in advancing shared IT infrastructure, promoting adaptive and technical change, effective communication and collaboration, and organizational innovation and improvements, combined with demonstrated success in developing innovative and mission-driven IT strategies as well as information security best practices, and vetting and implementing Systemwide emerging technologies,” Everts said.