VPCIO Leadership
The VPCIO's area of UB Information Technology is a UB service organization led by specialists in their fields.
Dr. Heath V. Tuttle
Vice President and Chief Information Officer (VPCIO)
716-645-7979
htuttle@buffalo.edu
Prior to joining UB as Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Dr. Heath V. Tuttle was Associate Vice President for Information Technology for the University of Nebraska system and Chief Information Officer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A University of Nebraska alumnus, Heath began his professional career with the University of Nebraska in 2003.
Dr. Tuttle led the University of Nebraska system’s Digital Transformation initiative, which resulted in more effective and efficient teaching and learning technologies, processes and support, and improved business and operational processes. He also led the university’s transition of cloud-based learning systems, implemented a campus-wide student email system, guided the remodeling and technology upgrades in 150 general purpose classrooms, and led initiatives on improving diversity, equity and inclusion in IT at UNL.
His other UNL roles included Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Technology, Interim Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics, Director and Assistant Director of Academic Technologies, Coordinator of the Technology Transforming Teaching initiative and Instructional Technology Specialist. Heath began his career as a teacher in both high school and college before transitioning into IT.
Dr. Tuttle received a doctorate in instructional technology and online learning from UNL in 2012. He received a master’s degree in organizational communication from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2000 and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Chadron State College in 1995.
Kelly Kenline
Assistant CIO, Director of Strategic Portfolio Management and Interim Director of Enterprise Application Services
716-645-5344
kellyd@buffalo.edu
Prior to joining UB, Kelly served as Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer with Daemen College. During her 17 years at Daemen, Kelly oversaw a diverse portfolio of large-scale IT projects, leading enterprise-wise innovations in network infrastructure, information security and disaster management.
Kelly provides leadership and oversight for the prioritizing, tracking and reporting of the VPCIO area’s portfolio of projects and services, ensuring alignment between UBIT’s strategic direction and campus business objectives. Kelly holds a Masters in Management from Colorado State University and a Bachelors in Computer Science from Canisius College.
Joe Grupp
Assistant Vice President / Chief Information Security Officer
716-645-4767
jgrupp@buffalo.edu
Joe began his career with UBIT in 2011 as a programmer for HUB, later becoming HUB’s technical coordinator. He joined UB’s Dental School in 2017 and helped migrate them from paper-based patient charts to a fully electronic medical system. Joe returned to the VPCIO’s area in 2019 where he managed both Windows and Linux system administrator teams in addition to a database team for EIS. Joe was named Interim ISO in August 2022, and Assistant Vice President / Chief Information Security Officer in February 2023.
Previously, Joe spent 10 years with the United States Air Force. Joe has an MBA from UB in addition to degrees in Computer Science and Aerospace Maintenance from the USAF, and Management Info Systems from Bellevue University.
Richard Letts
Assistant Vice President/Executive Director of Network and Communication Services
716-645-9333
rjletts@buffalo.edu
Richard joined the University at Buffalo as Assistant Vice President/Executive Director of Network and Communication Services in November 2023.
In 2018, he joined Purdue University as Director of Networking and Telecommunications where he was responsible for the voice and data infrastructure at the main campus in West Lafayette and regional campuses in Ft. Wayne and Hammond/Westville.
Prior to Purdue, Richard was the Manager of Network Operations and Engineering for the University of Washington in Seattle, including UW Medicine hospitals and neighborhood clinics, for eight years. He has over 20 years of experience in a university environment.
Richard holds a MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Computer Systems from the University of Salford in the UK.
Larry Schnitzer
Director, Enterprise Infrastructure Services (EIS)
716-645-3031
lps@buffalo.edu
Larry Schnitzer joined the university in 1990 before moving to UBIT in 2000 as a unix systems administrator. In 2006, he took on the role of Manager of Systems Software and in 2016 became EIS' Associate Director. Prior to joining UBIT, he worked in the CEDAR research group at UB as a digital hardware and software engineer. Larry earned a Masters of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University at Buffalo. Larry was named Director of EIS in 2018.
Chris Clune
Director, IT Customer Service (ITCS)
716-645-9077
cclune@buffalo.edu
As UB’s Director of IT Customer Service, Chris is responsible for providing visionary leadership to support and improve the customer experience. He joined UB in 2015 after 18 years at Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science. Chris holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris University.
Diana Tuorto
Director, IT Communication and Engagement (ITCE)
716-645-8127
dianatuo@buffalo.edu
As Director of IT Communications, Diana is responsible for a creative team who provide communications to the campus community, including the UBIT website, social media and marketing. Her team engages with the campus through surveys, town halls, focus groups and usability studies. She has over 20 years of marketing/communications experience in a variety of industry sectors, from non-profits to real estate and hospitality. Diana joined UB in 2012 and holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in English Writing and History from University of Pittsburgh. She was named IT Communications Officer in 2017 and Director of IT Communications in 2023.
Rose Polino
Director of Human Resources and Diversity Officer
716-645-1575
rmdonius@buffalo.edu
Rose Polino began her career at UB in January 1998 as an Administrative Office Manager with Campus Dining and Shops. In July 2008, she transitioned to the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center (EPAC) and served as Office Manager.
In 2015, Rose took the role of HR and Finance Manager in Enrollment Management. She was responsible for planning, coordinating and managing all human resources and finance functions for the division, providing support to the unit directors and over 120 employees. Rose is also a UB alumni, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.
Rose was appointed Director of Human Resources and Diversity Officer for the VPCIO’s area in 2023. She is responsible for planning, coordinating and managing all human resources functions for the VPCIO and also serves as the Unit Diversity Officer.