Marilyn T. Smith will join MIT as head of Information Services and Technology, Executive Vice President and Treasurer Theresa M. Stone announced Wednesday. Smith will succeed Jerry Grochow, who will step out of his role on Sept. 1 and retire officially from MIT at year-end after six years of dedicated service to the Institute.
Stone noted that Smith has deep experience with implementing information technology solutions in organizations that rely on effective information technology for their core business. "She is a strong, execution-oriented manager with a 'can do' attitude. She enjoys building and motivating teams and partnering across complex organizations to provide technical and operational support," Stone said.
Smith has served in senior management roles since 2000 at Hanover Insurance Group (formerly Allmerica) most recently as president, life companies, and previously as vice president, marketing and operations and vice president, project delivery of Allmerica Technology Services. Prior to that, she was vice president and chief information officer at the Life and Group Division of Liberty Mutual. Smith received a BA in astronomy from Wellesley College and an MBA with highest distinction from Babson College.
"I have enormous respect for the educational and research mission of MIT and I look forward to learning about the MIT faculty, students and staff and their needs for IS&T services," Smith said.
Smith will assume responsibilities for the IS&T division in mid-September. She will lead the division's core activities, which include providing IS&T infrastructure and applications to enable the education and research mission of the MIT community. She will also lead the IS&T division in addressing the many initiatives recommended by the various working groups of the Institute-wide Planning Task Force that will require improved information technology infrastructure and services. Smith will report directly to Stone. However, in recognition of the strategic importance of IS&T to the academic mission of the Institute, she will also work closely with Provost L. Rafael Reif and his office to engage the Institute's academic leaders in setting priorities and guiding strategic vision for technology innovation for the MIT community.
Stone said Grochow had begun the transition to the next phase of his career in which he will focus on consulting and board activities related to information technology. "We thank him for his commitment and service to the Institute," she said.
Stone thanked professors Frans Kaashoek and Tom Malone, both active contributors to the IS&T Working Group of the Institute-wide Planning Task Force, and Vice Chancellor and Dean for Graduate Education Steve Lerman, for serving on the interview team and providing valuable guidance in the search process.
