SUNY Buffalo IT official named to fill University of Florida CIO slot

April 6, 2010

GAINESVILLE — A 23-year information technology veteran from the State University of New York at Buffalo has been tapped to be the University of Florida’s new vice president and chief information officer, UF officials announced today.

Elias G. Eldayrie starts in his new role May 28.

“Elias’ extensive knowledge base and years of experience will be critical to the success of our efforts to integrate the university’s information technology environments and to prepare for the future of technology and its impact on our students, researchers and business operations,” said Brian Beach, UF’s senior vice president for administration and business ventures.

Eldayrie said he’s eager to get started in his new position.

“I, my wife, Michele, and our four children are very excited about joining the University of Florida,” Eldayrie said. “The university’s academic reputation and its unique position as one of the nation’s top research universities are what attracted me to Florida. I am looking forward to collaborating with my colleagues across the campus to implement President (Bernie) Machen’s vision of consolidating information technology within the framework of the Information Technology Action Plan. I am looking forward to being on campus and to starting our work. We have much to do”.

In his new position, Elias will be responsible for providing oversight and leadership to existing units under the CIO, including Computer Network Services, Academic Technology, Enterprise Systems, and Information Security and Compliance, along with responsibility for existing Information Technology Governance Committees.

Eldayrie (pronounced el-DAY-ree) has served as associate vice president and chief information officer for SUNY Buffalo since 2006 and held various positions there since 1987. He is currently an executive board member of the Council of Chief Information officers in the SUNY system and has been a board member of The Chronicle of Higher Education Leadership Board of CIOs.

Eldayrie earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s in business administration, both from SUNY Buffalo. He also completed the certification program of Managing Information Technology Projects from The George Washington University School of Business and Public Management. In addition, he has served as an adjunct assistant professor in the School of Management at SUNY Buffalo since 1998.

In 2009, he received the University at Buffalo Milton Plesur Excellence in Teaching Award. He has taught internationally, in Belarus and Hungary.

Eldayrie succeeds Chuck Frazier, a 38-year veteran of the university who stepped in two years ago from retirement to serve as the interim chief information officer.