ATHENS, Ohio (Sept. 8, 2005) -- State of Ohio Gov. Bob Taft appointed William F. Sams to the position of E-Tech Ohio Commission chair for a term ending July 1, 2009. Sams serves as associate provost for information technology and chief information officer at Ohio University.
The E-Tech Commission provides leadership and funding to school districts and technical centers for the acquisition and utilization of educational technology. Projects include public broadcasting, K-12 public school net support, K-12 teacher online professional development and the Third Frontier Network, an Internet and intranet backbone that links across the state of Ohio through government offices, schools and universities.
"Ohio is probably one of the best-connected states in the country at the educational and governmental levels," Sams said. "The next step is to fully utilize this network."
For Sams, the position presents an opportunity to promote and develop education by improving the application of information technology.
"It's ironic because part of the reason I wanted to return to Ohio was to have an impact on K-12 instruction," Sams said. "I have a fundamental belief that education is the key to our future, but at first I thought the task was too huge to take on. Now I'm in a position where I can help to engage K-12 students, as well as those in higher education."
Marietta-born and Belpre-raised, Sams earned both this bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from Ohio University. After receiving his juris doctor from the University of Santa Clara, Sams spent 25 years in management positions with firms in Silicon Valley, including Fairchild Semiconductor and LSI Logic.
After his return to the Athens area, Sams became a "full-time volunteer." He served as chair of the board of governors for the IT Alliance of Appalachian Ohio (ITAAO) and a member of the board of directors at the state level, as well as chair of the technology committee of the Athens Economic Development Council.
Sams also serves as executive in residence for the Ohio University Without Borders program and has taught senior and graduate level e-business management classes for Ohio University's business and engineering colleges.
"This is a new world for me, working at the state level," Sams said. "I have the technical skill and management experience, with none of the political agendas. I'm simply here to help the organization be successful."
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Media Contact: Bill Sams, (740) 593-1794 or samsw@ohio.edu
Editors: A photo of Bill Sams can be found at www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/SAMS_BILL.JPG
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