December 11, 2006

Lansing - The Michigan Department of Information Technology (MDIT) announced today that Chief Deputy Director, Mr. Ken Theis, has just been named as one of the Premier 100 Information Technology (IT) Leaders in the industry by IDG's Computerworld.  Mr. Theis oversees the major technology initiatives for MDIT, serving as a key member on the MDIT Director's Executive Council and directing the delivery of technology services to each of the state's nineteen departments and 55,000 employees.    

Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders list honors individuals who have had a positive impact on their organizations through technology.  These are men and women who manage internal IT organizations, mentor and motivate with interesting challenges and positive work environments, envision innovative solutions to business challenges, and effectively manage and execute IT strategies.

"It's a great honor to have someone from the state's technology organization named to such a prestigious list," said Teri Takai, Director of the Michigan Department of Information Technology and CIO for the State of Michigan.  "Mr. Theis has played a critical role in our organization and he has been integral in Michigan being recognized nationally as a leader in government technology."

Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders Program involves companies across all industries, as well as government and educational organizations.  This year's recipients were measured against Computerworld's IT Leadership Index, a set of characteristics that describes executives who guide the effective use of IT in their organizations, and evaluated by the editors and by a panel of outside judges. The candidates were asked about a range of topics, including their backgrounds, work experiences, special accomplishments and leadership styles.  Mr. Theis was selected for the award from nearly 500 nominees. 

"The professionals honored in Computerworld's 2007 Premier 100 IT Leaders program, and by extension the organizations they represent, are clearly mindful of their role and obligation as leaders of the global IT community," said Don Tennant, editor-in-chief of Computerworld.  "Their willingness to brave the scrutiny of the limelight as they share their experiences with their peers has won our respect, appreciation, and deep admiration."

Mr. Theis came to the State of Michigan from the General Motors Corporation where he held several key business and technology leadership positions.  He has extensive background in business processes, technology and developing successful teams to tackle the most complex projects.  In 1998, Mr. Theis received the General Motors Chairman's Honors Award and he was also the recipient of the General Motors CIO Award in 1999. 

In recent years with the State of Michigan, Mr. Theis has served as the Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Michigan Family Independence Agency (now known as the Department of Human Services), where he successfully implemented a statewide Child Support Enforcement System enabling the State to recover substantial federal penalties.  Mr. Theis has been a senior executive with MDIT since the creation of the department over four years ago. 

Mr. Theis holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Northwood University and a Bachelor's Degree in Automotive and Heavy Equipment Management from Ferris State University.  He resides in St. Johns with his wife, Mary Jo, and his three children, Joshua, Zachary and Rachel.

The complete class of Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2007 appears online at http://www.premier100.com and in the Dec. 11, 2006, issue of Computerworld (www.computerworld.com).

About Computerworld
Computerworld is recognized worldwide as the premier source for news, information and opinion on the critical technology and management issues affecting senior technology professionals. Computerworld's award-winning weekly publication, Computerworld.com Web site, focused conference series and custom research, form the hub of the world's largest (58-edition) global IT media network. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards, including the 2004 and 2006 Magazine of the Year Award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors and Folio Magazine's 2006 Gold EDDIE Award for the best technology/computing magazine. Computerworld has an online audience of over 1.9 million unique monthly visitors (Omniture) and a total print audience of 1,337,000 (IntelliQuest CIMS Spring 2006). Computerworld is on the Web at www.computerworld.com.

Computerworld is a business unit of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, research and events company. A privately held company, IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers, including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World and PC World. The company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites, with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer-related events worldwide, including Storage Networking World®, Premier 100®, LinuxWorld Conference & Expo®, Macworld Conference & Expo, DEMO® and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.