Jean Holley, CIO, Tellabs

Jean K. Holley is executive vice president and chief information officer at Tellabs. In this role, Holley is responsible for developing and executing information technology (IT) strategies, solutions and operations. She directs all aspects of IT operations, production, application development, support and technical services for Tellabs worldwide.

Holley joined Tellabs in April 2004. Before joining Tellabs, Holley was the first CIO to lead and support global IT operations for USG Corp. Prior to USG, Holley served in various senior management capacities for Waste Management and its subsidiaries. She integrated the core business with mergers and acquisitions and established an IT systems operations/support strategy that aligned business and operational goals. Prior to Waste Management, Holley held a series of positions with increasing responsibility at Digital Equipment Corporation and Inland Steel. Holley holds a Master of Science degree in computer science/engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago and a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the Missouri University Science & Technology (formerly University of Missouri – Rolla).

Holley is a member of the board of directors for VASCO Data Security International, Inc., a global provider of enterprise-wide security products that support e-business and e-commerce. Holley is a member of the boards of trustees for IIT and the Missouri University Science & Technology. She served as president for the Computer Science Academy and currently serves on the Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy Fund Board.

In 2008, Holley received the Julia Beveridge Award from IIT for her work to encourage students and young emerging talent to achieve their fullest potential. Also in 2008, Women in Technology International (WITI) recognized Holley with the Excellence in IT Leadership Award. In 2005, Holley was inducted into the Women in Science and Engineering Hall of Fame at Missouri University Science & Technology, and in 2004 she received an honorary professional degree.