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Merit Network Announces a Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

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November 15, 2012

ANN ARBOR – Merit Network announced today that David Gift has accepted the position of Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Dave’s primary role will be to lead Merit’s new initiatives that develop as a result of Merit’s expanding ability to serve Michigan and its Members statewide.

David Gift most recently served as the Chief Information Officer, Vice Provost for Libraries and IT Services, and adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiology, at Michigan State University. Gift holds degrees in physics and computer science, and is an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow of the MIT Sloan School of Management.

In addition to his responsibilities at Michigan State University, David Gift has served as the past chair and current member of the Merit Board of Directors. David has also served as a board member for the Council on Library and Information Resources, Peckham Vocational Industries, Inc., Internet2 Network Architecture, Operations and Policy Program Advisory Group, CIC Chief Information Officers Group, and CIC Shared Digital Repository Steering Committee.

Dave Gift said “Merit is a vitally important resource for the State of Michigan and has served as a national model for a regional research and education networking organization operating at the forefront of today’s complex and evolving data communications environment. I am delighted and privileged to have the opportunity to join the excellent Merit team in addressing these developing opportunities and challenges.”

Donald Welch, president and CEO, Merit Network stated “Adding Dave to our leadership team is a big gain for Merit’s community. He is someone I have admired since I first met him and I can’t wait to have him contributing on a day to day basis.”

About Merit Network

Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT solutions to Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations.

For more information: www.merit.edu

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