University Taps Berzai to Lead Renovare HR/Payroll

Effort, OIT Shifts Personnel to Close Gap

10/1/2004

By James Cope

Notre Dame officials announced this week that IT veteran Carolyn Berzai has been appointed to lead the Renovare HR/Payroll team, effective Oct. 1. Berzai was previously director of the Enterprise Systems division within the Office of Information Technologies.

Renovare is the multi-year effort to replace the administrative computer systems that power the University. The HR/Payroll portion of the program is one of the most critical projects of the program. 

Berzai was chosen for this crucial leadership position because of her extensive knowledge of University business processes and the systems used to support them, according to Notre Dame Executive Vice President John Affleck-Graves.

"Carolyn is widely respected across campus for her knowledge and customer focus, and we are very pleased that she will be bringing that knowledge and focus to the HR/Payroll project," Affleck-Graves said. "In addition to her wide experience, Carolyn provides the integrity, the discipline, the vision, and the strength of character necessary to guide the University through all stages of this critical project."

"Carolyn will bring strong, dedicated leadership to the Renovare HR/Payroll team," added CIO Gordon Wishon. "Carolyn's appointment to the HR/Payroll project is recognition of the high esteem in which she is held by the campus business community and especially by our University's leaders," Wishon said.

Berzai's former position will be filled by Bob Schaffner, who has served as the director of Operations and Engineering (O&E) for nearly three years. "Bob has extensive experience directing software development activities, and the Enterprise Systems staff represents a critical element in the future success of the OIT," Wishon said.

The University has launched a national search to fill Schaffner's former position, but until a replacement is found, Dewitt Latimer, deputy CIO and chief technology officer, will serve as interim director of O&E, according to Wishon. The University will also begin a search for a permanent director for Integrated Communications Services, the networking and telecommunications division of OIT.

Meanwhile, Latimer has appointed Bill Mountford as associate director of O&E. Mountford will continue to serve as executive assistant to the CIO but will also be responsible for day-to-day operations and business functions within O&E, according to Latimer.

In addition, Katie Christman, who has served as the Help Desk manager, will now report to Latimer on O&E projects, as well as customer relations and services. Christman will also work with Latimer in his broader role of leading infrastructure initiatives in the Integrated Communications Services division.

"I am absolutely thrilled that both Bill and Katie have agreed to join the management team and look forward to their positive contributions to O&E and OIT," Latimer said.