City Manager Steve Carter announced this morning that Mark Toalson has been appointed Information Technology Director effective July 1, 2012. He is currently serving as the City’s Assistant Director.
“Mark Toalson offers a solid track record of demonstrated success of over 25 years of information technology experience in both the public and private sectors. His prior experience as Assistant Director in Champaign and as the GIS Manager for the Champaign County GIS Consortium has prepared him well for the duties as Director,” said Steve Carter.
Mr. Toalson worked for several private sector technology firms before founding his own company, Map Research Technologies, Inc. in 1996. In addition to managing the firm, he negotiated contracts with municipal clients valued at $1.5 million and also developed all CAD and GIS applications, installed them and trained client personnel.
Mr. Toalson became the manager of the Champaign County GIS Consortium in 2003. The Consortium was created by area local governments to build a county wide GIS data base. The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission serves as the lead agency. Mr. Toalson provided leadership in setting up that agency and designing and implementing the program.
In December, 2007, Mr. Toalson accepted the position of Assistant Director of the Information Technology Department for the City of Champaign with the primary responsibility to develop and implement plans for GIS technology throughout the City.
“Mark is forward thinking in the area of technology with a keen eye for how technology can help us work smarter and more efficiently. He is very results oriented and has excellent customer relations skills. And, he is sensitive to looking for the most cost effective solution for technology problems. He has shown good leadership in his past and current work and it is great that we were able to promote him into the Director’s position.
Mr. Toalson said, “I am honored to have been given this opportunity. The pace of technological advancement today has created an amazing, and at times dizzying opportunity for implementation of technology in local government. While the path forward is not without significant challenges, I am genuinely excited to have a chance to guide my home town forward into the age of ubiquitous digital mobility!”
Mr. Toalson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from Illinois State University. He has attained certification as a GIS Professional, and has served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Illinois GIS Association.
Mark Toalson was promoted as part of a Department reorganization resulting in cost savings during the most recent budget reductions. The former Director, Fred Halenar, retired at the end of June. Toalson assumed his duties on July 1, 2012. His salary will be $110,739 per year.