Hess, Noblet assume IT posts at FAS

Brad Noblet and Elizabeth Hess have been named to senior computing posts in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS).

Noblet, a veteran computer industry manager, has been named FAS’s first chief operating officer for information technology, with responsibility for the FAS server, network, support, Web, and administrative computing infrastructure.

Hess, who has most recently served as senior manager of academic computing in Harvard’s central IT organization, is now director of outreach and communications for the FAS computing group.

“Brad Noblet’s deep experience in operations management and product development and research make him uniquely qualified to advance FAS infrastructure IT services, while Liz Hess brings to FAS considerable experience in planning, infrastructure review, program implementation, service delivery, and policy management,” says Larry Levine, FAS’s chief information officer. “Brad’s and Liz’s expertise will be invaluable in making the FAS central IT organization the hub for a high-performance, collaborative, and comprehensive FAS-wide IT environment. The new FAS IT environment will enable the work of faculty, students, and staff, across all realms of activity – research, teaching and learning, administration, and daily life. The new environment will do so through targeted advances in many areas of IT services, including the FAS network, server environment, digital content across media types, security, and collaborations and support.”

Noblet, a 1982 graduate of Indiana University (I.U.), Bloomington, was I.U.’s manager of data communications, designing and implementing a state-of-the-art broadband coax backbone data network, with responsibility for the institution’s statewide data network. He has more recently served as director of technical services at Dartmouth College, responsible for data, telephone, and cable television networks, the operation of all central servers, and the software development group delivering enterprisewide applications. At Dartmouth, Noblet created the first converged campuswide wired and wireless network, uniting Internet-based data, voice, and video transmission, and mechanized control of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for residence halls and other buildings.

Noblet has also worked in private industry, managing product development for a number of hardware manufacturers. At Ungerman-Bass, he oversaw development of the world’s first “smart hub.” He led efforts to move Cayman Systems away from its dependence on Apple products. Noblet managed the router products division at Wellfleet, a predecessor of Bay Networks, later merged with Nortel.

As senior manager of academic computing in Harvard’s central IT group, Hess has been responsible for facilitating collaboration among the University’s schools, libraries, and museums in the area of academic computing. Initiatives in which Hess has played a key role include the Provost’s Fund for Instructional Computing, the Presidential Instructional Technology Fellows Program, iCommons, and a variety of educational programs for faculty and IT staff.

Hess has also worked in Harvard’s Office for Technology and Trademark Licensing as assistant director for administration and finance, overseeing licensing income, legal expenditures, and operating budget as well as leading the development and implementation of a database system to manage technology transfer activity. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1984 and holds a master’s degree from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, awarded in 2004.