J. Scot Ransbottom named chief of staff for Information Technology
J. Scot Ransbottom has been named chief of staff and deputy chief information officer for Virginia Tech's Information Technology division.
Ransbottom will serve as a key adviser to Scott Midkiff, vice president of information technology and chief information officer, and play an important role in facilitating the evolution of the division’s collaborative culture and service mentality.
Since June 2014, Ransbottom has served as deputy director of the Information Technology Security Lab, part of the IT Security Office.
With expertise in higher education, management, policy, engineering, computer science, and communications, Ransbottom came to Virginia Tech’s Information Technology division from the United States Military Academy, where he served in multiple roles in leadership, administration, and academics. He also has experience in leading communications and networking operations, engineering, and policy across every organizational level throughout the U.S. Army.
In his new position, Ransbottom will manage the business and administrative operations of Virginia Tech's Information Technology division, including budgeting and financial management, reporting, personnel administration, customer experience management, and communications. Ransbottom will assume a key role in the senior leadership team, helping to oversee operations, and improving processes, communication, and performance across the organization.
“Scot will be a great asset for Information Technology and for all of Virginia Tech, bringing a rare combination of technical, management, and academic experience and expertise to his new position,” said Scott Midkiff. “He is immediately taking leadership roles in new cybersecurity initiatives, and improving coordination across both centralized and distributed information technology units at the university.”
Ransbottom holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Ohio University, a master’s degree in computer science from Duke University, and a doctoral degree in computer engineering from Virginia Tech.
“I am honored to be able to participate on a team of professionals dedicated to leveraging information technology resources, expertise, and support to distinguish the VT experience for the university community. I look forward to tackling the IT opportunities that we will encounter as Virginia Tech continues to Invent the Future.” Ransbottom said.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
