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Lester Godsey joins ASU as chief information security officer

The two-time ASU alumni’s career comes full circle as he rejoins the university as chief information security officer nearly three decades after starting his career in IT.

Annie Davis

November 19, 2024

With a career spanning nearly three decades of professional IT experience, Lester Godsey is right back where he first started — serving the community at Arizona State University (ASU).

As a two-time ASU alumni, Godsey began his career as a technology support analyst with The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: “One of my first projects was to help open the Polytechnic campus,” Godsey shared when reflecting on his first job out of college.

Today, Godsey’s career comes full circle as he returns to ASU — this time in the role of the university’s chief information security officer (CISO).

Lev Gonick, ASU’s chief information officer, shares his enthusiasm for Godsey joining the university, noting: “His career spans IT leadership, public service and a passion for teaching — all three of which he will carry into his work to serve the ASU community and secure the digital ecosystem that supports how our Sun Devils work, learn and thrive.”

Under Gonick’s leadership, Godsey will sit within ASU Enterprise Technology and join fellow executive leaders Kyle Bowen, Kimberly Clark and John Rome.

The chief information security officer is responsible for the overall information, cyber and technology security for an organization — which is paramount for a world that is increasingly online. “We need to be a trusted part of the organization so that our community looks at IT as a catalyst for supporting research, innovation and creativity — all of which are at the core of ASU,” Godsey shared.

Godsey joins ASU with nearly a decade of experience serving as a CISO. His previous roles include serving as CISO for City of Mesa and, most recently, Maricopa County, the fourth-largest county in the United States. Throughout his career, he has focused on leadership, data management and cybersecurity — specializing in organizational strategy and development.

In 2021, Godsey was recognized by Government Tech in their Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers for his work in cybersecurity and combating misinformation while serving as CISO for Maricopa County.

He also has a passion for teaching — having served as both faculty and adjunct faculty for various institutions. For the past year, Godsey has been working with ASU Learning Enterprise to advise on the Cybersecurity Hands on Problem Solving, available through CareerCatalyst.

When asked about what he looks forward to most in returning to ASU, Godsey shares he looks forward to being part of the overall impact ASU achieves, noting the “scope, scale and ability to enact change at the national and international level.”

Godsey’s career has three constants: a focus on IT, a dedication to public service and a passion for teaching. He is eager to bring all three together to serve the ASU-plus community.

Godsey will start as ASU’s CISO beginning in early Dec. 2024.