Jimmy Ball, Deputy CIO for Academic Technology

The Office of Information Technology (IT) is pleased to announce that Jimmy Ball has been named as Deputy CIO for Academic Technology.  Ball will be responsible for providing leadership for the design, development, and implementation of academic technology services offered centrally through IT and the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education (Outreach).   Tim Angle, Assistant Provost and Associate Professor of Legal Studies, notes, “Outreach is very excited about the new position of Deputy CIO for Academic Technology.”  He adds, “Mr. Ball will be working very closely with our technology staff in Oxford and on the regional campuses to ensure that our distance learning classrooms meet the University’s vision of technology in the future.”  Kathy Gates, Chief Information Officer, agrees and notes that “Mr. Ball will bring much-needed leadership in the areas of research computing and instructional technology to ensure that we are making good decisions and are using technology strategically and to the University’s greatest advantage.”

With a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s  in Economics ,  Ball has had the opportunity to work in an academic setting as well as the private sector during his professional career.  Ball most recently worked as CIO at FNC, Inc., in Oxford, MS, for seven years.   He was primarily responsible for managing various technical operations groups, including Information Technology and Quality Control.  Prior to his work at FNC,  he spent two years as a software-development instructor with Batky-Howell, Inc., providing on-site and online training to software developers and system administrators at corporate sites nationwide.  In the past, while at the University of Mississippi (UM), he worked as Research Associate at the Jamie Whitten National Center for Physical Acoustics and primarily as a Supercomputer User Consultant with the Mississippi Center for Supercomputing Research.  This gave him the opportunity to work with researchers on UM campus and throughout Mississippi.  When asked to describe his leadership style, Ball says:   “The leadership style that works best for me is “filling the gaps”  rather than having a rigid style.  For example, a strong systems manager might need assistance communicating during a system’s maintenance outage.   Likewise, a great people manager may need assistance with evaluating software tools.  Since I have expertise in management, communication and technical roles,  I plan to use my skills combined with the skills of others to solve our technology needs.”

Ball looks forward to assuming his role as Deputy CIO and supporting IT’s and the Outreach’s ongoing technology needs.   “My first goal is to listen,” says Ball.  “I want to know what works, what needs to improve, and how I can help.”  Ball attributes much of his success to his time at FNC.  One of his “takeaways” comes from Bill Caldwell, the Director of Human Resources at FNC and a University of Mississippi alumnus, who “emphasizes the importance of saying ‘thank you’ early and often, when managing and working with others.”  “He’s right,” says Ball. “It is very important.”

Angle says, “With Mr. Ball as the liaison between the Office of Information Technology and Outreach, we expect the two groups will work closely together to ensure that the University takes full advantage of any cutting-edge technology that benefits our students.”