Mark A. Stone, PhD

IT Thought Leader, Cybersecurity, Ethicist, Government, Higher Education, and Speaker as the SCIO at the Texas A&M University System

Mark A. Stone, PhD, is the System Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Texas A&M University System, a prominent higher education system in the United States. He has held this position since April 2013, where he is responsible for overseeing cybersecurity, enterprise-wide applications, networking, and infrastructure strategy development across the system. The Texas A&M University System includes 11 universities and serves over 153,000 students annually, with a budget exceeding $7.8 billion.1 4

Educational Background

Dr. Stone has a diverse academic background:

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting from Baylor University
Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Westminster Theological Seminary
Master of Theology (ThM) and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Ethics from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.1 4

Professional Experience

Before joining Texas A&M, Dr. Stone held significant positions in various organizations:

Senior Vice President and CIO at Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. (2009-2012)
Senior Vice President and CIO at Zale Corporation (2005-2009), where he worked for 14 years in various IT roles.1 2 5
Director of Financial Operations at the Resolution Trust Corporation (1989-1995) where he managed financial operations for an agency handling assets of failed savings and loans.2 3

Contributions and Leadership

Dr. Stone is recognized for his leadership in ethical technology practices and mentoring within the field. He is also involved in various professional organizations, including the Texas Society of CPAs and the Information Technology Council for Higher Education. Recently, he was appointed to Governor Abbott's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to help guide AI initiatives within state agencies.4 5

Publications

He is the author of "The Three C’s: A Career Enrichment Primer on Characterizing, Connecting, and Communicating," reflecting his commitment to professional development and ethical leadership.1 3

In summary, Mark A. Stone combines extensive experience in IT leadership with a strong educational foundation, contributing significantly to the Texas A&M University System's technological advancements and strategic initiatives.