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Articles:

CIO: The Future Board Member

Sarbanes-Oxley has altered the profile that a company seeks in its Board Members. Diversification of experiences has become very important. The Act has fueled a trend towards individuals who have financial acumen, industry expertise and, yes, even information technology expertise. Typically, companies no longer look for the high profile executives or professors that they did in the past.

Sarbanes-Oxley requires companies to provide well-documented evidence that their internal control systems are adequate. This is typically recorded through business processes and information technology. As a result, information technology has become instrumental in helping the CEO and CFO comply with these standards. The CIO has become a key part of the process and is seeing the role become much more focused on business process improvements and management.

A CIO as a Director? Boards are seeking individuals who can help them build and manage their companies. Given the increasing importance of using technology as a competitive advantage, the CIO has become a critical strategic partner to the CEO in helping grow the business. It is important for the Board to understand how the company can leverage technology to grow its business and understand its customers. A CIO who aligns IT to the business' strategic plan and is well-versed in business process management is a valuable asset to any Board.

"I have seen a lot of demand for CIO's for board positions and have recently received several calls regarding potential opportunities. Boards that bring in a CIO as a member are making a statement in what they want to accomplish as a company. IT is instrumental in growing any business," said Mark West, CIO of the $3 billion game publisher, Electronic Arts, and recently named leading IT Innovator by Informationweek.

CIO's as Directors seems to be an increasing trend as Boards seek diversification and as companies see the importance of using technology as a competitive advantage.