Trends in Telecom/Utilities: Supporting Business Evolution Through IT Leadership Bennett L. Gaines VP - IT/Corporate Security, and CIO FirstEnergy Service Company Bennett L. Gaines is vice president of Information Technology/ Corporate Security and chief information officer for FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. Mr. Gaines is responsible for the delivery of IT services, including the development of a corporate IT strategy and governance process, as well as the communications/data network. Prior to joining FirstEnergy, Mr. Gaines served as vice president and chief information officer at Cincinnati-based Cinergy Corporation where Mr. Gaines was responsible for the delivery of all IT services and telecommunications/network operations. Before joining Cinergy in 2003, Mr. Gaines was managing director, Business Services, at Powergen plc in the United Kingdom. He was responsible for the strategy and delivery of IT services and other shared services and handled all IT activities. Prior to this, he was corporate director, Supply Chain for LG&E Energy Corp. in Louisville KY, a subsidiary of Powergen. From 1998–2000, he was employed by EDS Corporation in Dallas TX. As corporate director, Strategic Sourcing, he oversaw the strategic sourcing of all goods and services. In addition, he served as EDS’s director of Business Partners and Supplier Relationships. From 1994–1998, Mr. Gaines worked for McKesson Corporation as vice president of customer operations in Dallas TX, and as vice president of Financial and Business Services in San Francisco CA. Before that, he served as a regional sales manager and director of Marketing for Hamilton-Hallmark Corporation in Philadelphia PA and Phoenix AZ, respectively. And between 1978 and 1991, he worked for IBM Corporation in Minnesota as a Site Procurement manager and Manufacturing Logistics manager; and various senior management positions. Mr. Gaines earned his bachelor of arts degree from Baldwin-Wallace College and received a master of arts degree from the University of Phoenix. He has been involved in numerous civic and community organizations, including serving as a board member of Cincinnati-based Central Clinic and also on the board of ProjectGrad Akron in Akron OH. He is a Board of Trustee at Baldwin Wallace College, Berea OH.