Gov. Sam Brownback names new information technology chief

Gov. Sam Brownback named a new chief information technology officer Thursday, installing an IT expert with degrees from Kansas State University after questions over credentials sunk an appointee to the position in 2011.

Phil Wittmer of Leawood will join the administration Aug. 10. He is currently president of Lead-It LLC, a technology strategy and investment firm. According to the governor’s office, Wittmer has more than 20 years of experience implementing information technology strategies in a number of industries.

“Phil will bring a unique perspective to the role of the CITO,” Brownback said. “I am pleased he is bringing his extensive experience in managing IT systems to serve the citizens of Kansas.”

A statement announcing the appointment said Wittmer received master’s and bachelor’s degrees in statistics from K-State. According to a listing of statistics graduates at K-State, Wittmer received his master’s degree in 1976.

Wittmer will assume the post from Secretary of Administration Jim Clark, who served as IT chief after Anthony Schlinsog departed in October. Schlinsog had held the job for three years, which involves managing about 600 IT staff members and a budget of more than $150 million.

Brownback named Schlinsog IT chief in November 2011 after Jim Mann resigned from the $150,000-a-year job. Mann had been found to have obtained a degree from the University of Devonshire, a diploma mill.

At the time, Brownback said Mann’s educational background hadn’t been closely vetted and that the focus had been on Mann’s private-sector experience.