Henry Torres Promoted to Chief Information Officer at Arkansas State
JONESBORO – Henry Torres has been promoted to chief information officer (CIO) for Arkansas State University after serving the past six months as A-State’s interim CIO.
“Henry’s private sector experience coupled with his classroom and academic administrative experience uniquely prepares him for this crucial position,” according to Dr. Len Frey, vice chancellor for Finance and Administration. “He has provided excellent leadership in his interim capacity over the past six months and we are confident he is the right person to ensure that reliable technological solutions are provided for our students, faculty and staff.”
Torres brings technology experience from a long career in industry and education to his new position at A-State, where he has been part of the faculty and staff since 2002.
“I am very excited about this opportunity to utilize my technology background -- from being in industry for 20 years, to teaching technology 10 years, and working closely with faculty in professional development for the last five years, I strongly believe in putting students and faculty first when it comes to technology,” Torres said.
“I now get to work closely with some of the most talented IT professionals and some of the best technology in our region. Having the support of such talented individuals across campus makes me feel really fortunate to be a part of the A-State family.”
He leads a team of more than 60 professionals in the Department of Information Technology and continues to serve as an adjunct senior lecturer in computer and information technology in the College of Business.
Previously, Torres was director of Arkansas State’s Interactive Teaching and Technology Center, where his focus was providing professional development in classroom and online technologies to faculty.
He and his associates redesigned and redeveloped courses for the College of Business online master of business administration program, which won national recognition in 2012 and 2013 in the categories of “best online student interactivity” and “best faculty training and development.” In 2013 they were cited by the College of Education for similar national recognition for its online master’s programs.
After coming to A-State, Torres was a key member of a team that created Rural Sourcing, Inc., a software outsourcing company, developing it to $1.6 million in annual sales in two years. He was interviewed in many of the 55 national publications where Rural Sourcing was featured, and he presented the replicable business model at numerous technology and economic development conferences.
Prior to moving to Jonesboro with his wife and three daughters, Torres was an information technology executive specializing in areas of distribution, logistics, store operations and e-commerce. His career included executive positions with Walmart, Neiman-Marcus, CSK Auto, and Frederick’s of Hollywood.
Torres has a bachelor’s degree in science and industrial engineering from Texas Tech University and a master of business administration from Henderson State University. He has completed post graduate study at the University of Memphis.
He has been a member of the Association of Information Technology Professionals, the Institute of Industrial Engineers, the New Media Consortium, and the Sloan Consortium for Online and Distance Education.
In addition, Torres has served on the board of directors of several organizations including Accelerate Arkansas, Arkansas Commerce Capital Development Co., Hispanic Community Services, Inc., Bancorp South Community Advisory Board, The Horizon Institute of Technology, Parenting and Childbirth Education Services, and United Way.
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