Former CIO Steve Hess honored at retirement reception
Jake Johansen, interim chief information officer, University of Utah
About 150 family members, friends, and former colleagues gathered on August 12, 2026, at the Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House to celebrate Dr. Steve Hess, the University of Utah’s former chief information officer (CIO), who retired in July.
The reception brought together those Hess has worked with, mentored, and supported since beginning his university journey in 1971 as a graduate instructor. During his 52-year tenure, Hess served in key leadership roles across campus media services, educational media, instructional television, the University Press, and University and Student Relations before becoming the central figure in shaping and modernizing the university’s IT landscape.
“The one thing that I’ve learned from Steve over the years that I worked with him is that he loves learning more than anything,” Interim CIO Jake Johansen said in his opening remarks.
“When Steve took this role in the early 1970s … IT was a nascent concept,” Johansen continued. “He’s led this institution through five decades of evolving information technology and media literacy, understanding the internet, bringing [Utah Education Network] to be, and supporting the IT system on behalf of our entire organization. … Steve, your impact can be felt in the passion and dedication mirrored in all of these people.”
Jeff Labrum, chief operating officer, University of Utah
Chief Operating Officer Jeff Labrum added that “very few careers in any field span a technological transformation this complete” — from the emergence of personal computers and the internet to cloud computing and today’s rapidly developing era of artificial intelligence.
Labrum credited Hess with bringing order and strategy to university IT. At one point, he noted, the university had more than 250 email systems and 50 wireless networks. Hess, Labrum said, led the effort to centralize key IT services and build a more coordinated IT environment.
But Labrum said Hess’ most important contribution went beyond technology itself.
“You’ve always understood that technology serves the institution. Technology is here to benefit and to help students and everybody else,” Labrum said.
Donna Roach, system chief digital information officer for University of Utah Health, said her lengthy interview process prompted her to research the university and its leaders carefully as she considered whether the U would be the right cultural fit.
Donna Roach, system chief digital information officer, University of Utah Health
Hess stood out for his longstanding service, which she said spoke volumes about his character and commitment.
“He has remained a trusted leader, colleague, mentor, and friend to many across the university,” Roach shared, closing her comments with a traditional Irish blessing on friendship: “There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, may they always be.”
Chief Technology Officer Jim Livingston said Hess has always been guided by a simple principle: “It’s not who’s right; it’s what’s right.”
Livingston recalled countless conversations and meetings with Hess, many of which went beyond work topics to encompass broader discussions about life and leadership. He also credited Hess with creating opportunities for others.
About 15 years ago, Hess approached Livingston about becoming chief technology officer and helping consolidate IT infrastructure across campus.
Jim Livingston, chief technology officer, University of Utah
“I cursed the day that he ever asked me,” Livingston joked, drawing a laugh from the audience, before emphasizing how meaningful the opportunity ultimately became.
Livingston said the experience is an example of what Hess had done for so many throughout the university: recognizing their abilities, trusting in their talents, and giving them opportunities to grow.
“This is a room full of amazing people, and part of us being amazing people is because of this great leader who we’ve been able to work with, be mentored by, and be affected by his influence,” Livingston said.
Taking the microphone, Hess credited his parents with teaching him an idea that remained central throughout his professional life: “When you lift people, you lift yourself.”
Hess thanked university leadership, his colleagues, and his team for making IT modernization across the university possible, adding, “it’s very meaningful to me to see so many familiar faces, some I haven’t seen in a very long time.”
“For me, it’s always been about making sure students, patients, and the greater university community get what they need,” Hess said.
Below are photos from the event:
From left: Ray Carsey, Vicki Hess (back to camera), Tim Urban, and Steve Hess.
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