Press Releases
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Edustructures Appoints Mitch Benson as Chief Technology OfficerEducation Technology-Industry Veteran Brings Strategic, Technical, and Business Expertise as Company Expands to Address the Interoperability and Reporting Challenges Facing EducationShareSalt Lake City, Utah, October 1, 2009 - Edustructures, the leading provider of enterprise interoperability solutions for PK-20 and part of the Pearson Assessment & Information group, today announced the appointment of Mitch Benson as chief technology officer. With more than a decade of experience in education technology–serving leadership roles for both software vendors and educational agencies–Benson brings deep expertise and success in delivering enterprise solutions for education. As CTO for Edustructures, Benson will be responsible for driving product innovation and delivery of data interoperability solutions that address the real-world needs of schools, districts, states and higher education. Benson joins Edustructures from Microsoft (MSFT), where he most recently served as senior director of the Education Product Group. In this role, he oversaw product management, planning, and R&D for the company’s portfolio of solutions for PK-20. Previously at Microsoft, Benson was the worldwide managing director of Education where he provided leadership and strategic vision for Microsoft’s global education business including sales, marketing and enterprise solution delivery. Before joining Microsoft, Benson served as the chief technology officer for the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative, (WSIPC), one of the largest technology services cooperatives in the United States serving several million users in the education sector. In prior positions, Benson served as a director with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and in technical leadership roles with both school systems and educational service agencies. Benson has served on the Board of Directors of Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) Association since 2005 and has been involved in the association since its inception. Benson earned his masters degree in Information Systems from Capella University, and holds a bachelors degree in Comparative U.S. Studies from the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. “In addition to his impressive business and technical pedigree, Mitch brings a unique and well rounded ‘customer needs’ perspective to Edustructures,” said Steve Curtis, president of Edustructures. “Mitch’s service has spanned the district, education service agency, and state education agency, providing exceptional insight into the day-to-day problems educators face. Further, in role at Microsoft, and as a board member and long-time member of the SIF Association, Mitch has been a close partner in helping define and promote standards-based interoperability for the education market. Mitch’s expertise will be key in our ability to deliver cutting-edge enterprise solutions that support education data reform.” About PearsonPearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, reaches and engages today’s digital natives with effective and personalized learning. The company’s respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, PEMSolutions, Stanford 10, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker, and many others. Pearson’s other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to www.pearson.com. About EdustructuresEdustructures, a Pearson company (NYSE: PSO), is the recognized leader in enterprise interoperability solutions for the PK-20 education market. Through its SIFWorks® integration platform, National Transcript Center solution, comprehensive professional services, and relationships with business partners and educators, Edustructures connects the systems that power education. For more information about Edustructures, please visit www.edustructures.com. Adam Gaber Sandra Richards | |
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