YSU hires network services chief

YOUNGSTOWN -- Jason Rakers, former senior network analyst at Allegheny Energy in Greensburg, Pa., is the new director of network services at Youngstown State University.
Donna Esterly, YSU's interim chief technology officer, said Rakers was hired after a national search. He replaces Tom Doctor, who retired in February 2005.
At Allegheny Energy, Rakers worked with department representatives to help align Allegheny's information technology direction with departmental and organizational needs. He also has a background in several wireless technologies, ranging from traditional land mobile radio to new Internet Wi-Fi (wireless) services.
Rakers, who started at YSU in January, earned a bachelor's degree in management from St. Francis College in Pennsylvania and a master's degree in information systems management from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh. He is studying for a doctorate in information systems and communications at Robert Morris.
Rakers said he hopes to help YSU get new services and functionality from its network.