UBIT Senior Leadership

716-645-8127
dianatuo@buffalo.edu

As Director of IT Communications, Diana is responsible for a creative team who provide communications to the campus community, including the UBIT website, social media and marketing. Her team engages with the campus through surveys, town halls, focus groups and usability studies. She has over 20 years of marketing/communications experience in a variety of industry sectors, from non-profits to real estate and hospitality. Diana joined UB in 2012 and holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in English Writing and History from University of Pittsburgh. She was named IT Communications Officer in 2017 and Director of IT Communications in 2023.

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716-645-9333
rjletts@buffalo.edu

Richard joined the University at Buffalo as Assistant Vice President/Executive Director of Network and Communication Services in November 2023.

In 2018, he joined Purdue University as Director of Networking and Telecommunications where he was responsible for the voice and data infrastructure at the main campus in West Lafayette and regional campuses in Ft. Wayne and Hammond/Westville.

Prior to Purdue, Richard was the Manager of Network Operations and Engineering for the University of Washington in Seattle, including UW Medicine hospitals and neighborhood clinics, for eight years. He has over 20 years of experience in a university environment.

Richard holds a MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Computer Systems from the University of Salford in the UK.

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716-645-3031
lps@buffalo.edu

Larry Schnitzer joined the university in 1990 before moving to UBIT in 2000 as a Unix Systems Administrator. In 2006, he took on the role of Manager of Systems Software and in 2016 became EIS' Associate Director. Prior to joining UBIT, he worked in the CEDAR research group at UB as a digital hardware and software engineer. Larry earned a Masters of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University at Buffalo. Larry was named Director of EIS in 2018.

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716-645-2699
kbenoodt@buffalo.edu

Kristin Benoodt serves as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at the University at Buffalo, where she supports the university’s Information Security Office and affiliated programs through strategic planning, governance, and campus-wide security initiatives. She brings more than 20 years of experience in information technology and cybersecurity, with a focus on program development, operational leadership, and security awareness.

Kristin joined UB in 2025 as Assistant Director, Cybersecurity Program Manager, where she helped formalize the Information Security Program and advance initiatives to strengthen the university’s cybersecurity posture. Prior to joining UB, she served as Manager of IT Network Services/Deputy CIO at D’Youville University, leading infrastructure and security operations, and has held roles with the State of Vermont Agency of Digital Services, the Seneca Nation of Indians, and private-sector organizations.

716-645-5075
bv@buffalo.edu

Barb Vasbinder joined the university and UBIT in 2002. Her career for 20+ years prior was focused in the telecommunications/call center design industry. Barbara served as a manager in UBIT Customer Experience for 10 years prior to taking the role of Interim Director in January 2026. During her tenure at UB, she led the conversion of multiple UB phones systems to the enterprise Cisco VoIP service.

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716-645-5293
jgorman@buffalo.edu

Jim Gorman started his career with the University at Buffalo and UB Information Technology in 1987 as a Programmer/Analyst. He has since advanced through a series of progressively responsible management positions within Enterprise Application Services, culminating in his appointment as Director in February 2026.

Throughout his tenure at UB, Jim has led the implementation of numerous enterprise-level systems. He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University at Buffalo School of Management in 1991.

716-645-4579
eye@buffalo.edu

Kevin Eye serves as the inaugural Director of IT Innovation, leading a new department focused on exploring and advancing emerging technologies across the University at Buffalo, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI). In this role, he helps campus partners experiment, prototype, and responsibly adopt new technologies that support teaching, research, and operations.

Prior to stepping into this role, Kevin spent 15 years in UBIT as a Principal Technology Architect and full-stack developer, following 10 years as a web developer with University Communications. He served as technical lead for UBCMS, UB’s web content management system, guiding its evolution to support hundreds of campus websites and strengthening accessibility standards across the university’s digital presence—work that earned him the 2023 UB Digital Accessibility Advocate Award. He also contributed to the UB Mobile app, MyUB, enterprise Salesforce projects, and email marketing initiatives. Kevin is a UB alumnus, earning his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 2001.

716-645-1575
cio-hr@buffalo.edu

Rose Polino began her career at UB in January 1998 as an Administrative Office Manager with Campus Dining and Shops. In July 2008, she transitioned to the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center (EPAC) and served as Office Manager.

In 2015, Rose took the role of HR and Finance Manager in Enrollment Management. She was responsible for planning, coordinating and managing all human resources and finance functions for the division, providing support to the unit directors and over 120 employees. Rose is also a UB alumni, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.   

Rose was appointed Director of Human Resources and Diversity Officer for UBIT in 2023. She is responsible for planning, coordinating and managing all human resources functions for UBIT and also serves as the Unit Diversity Officer.

(716) 645-5807
stferry@buffalo.edu

Sue started her career with UBIT in 1999 as a senior staff assistant for the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Office. She joined the CIO Administrative Operations office when it formed in 2000, and served as Finance Manager until October 2024 when she was appointed Interim Unit Business Officer and FPMO.   

As Director of Finance and Business Operations, Sue directs the CIOAO portfolio encompassing finance, budget forecasting and reporting, accounting, procurement, contracts and billing for UBIT.

Sue has a Master of Science in Creativity and Change Leadership from Buffalo State University and a Bachelor of Science Business Administration Finance from UB School of Management.

716-645-3583
klongin@buffalo.edu

With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Kari has worked across multiple divisions in both private and public institutions.

At Medaille College, Kari served as an Office Manager and Director of Academic Program Development. While there, she enhanced operations in academic program management and assessment. She also served as an adjunct instructor in the Business and Humanities departments. 

Kari joined UBIT in 2017 as Policy and Project Coordinator, where she developed and led a centralized policy management office. She subsequently served as Project Coordinator for Finance and Administration.

Prior to returning to UB, Kari served as Chief of Staff at Daemen University.

In March 2025, Kari joined the Strategic Portfolio Management Office as an IT Project Manager. Since February 2026, she has served as Assistant Director of the SPMO.

Kari holds an Ed.M. in Higher Education Administration and a B.A. in English from the University at Buffalo, and an M.A. in Literature and Publishing from the University of Galway, Ireland. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a Certificate in Leading Change from SUNY and a Mini MBA from UB’s School of Management.