Last month, when Target shared plans to overhaul the company’s information security and compliance structure and practices, we indicated that the first step would be finding a new leader for this transformation.

We think we’ve found the right person for the job.

Today, Target announced that IT expert Bob DeRodes has joined the company as chief information officer. He has more than 40 years professional experience, and has a proven ability to lead transformational change.

Previously, Bob has held a number of operational and technology leadership positions, including:

• Executive vice president, global operations and technology at First Data
• Executive vice president and chief information officer at The Home Depot
• Chief executive officer at Delta Technology; and chief information officer at Delta Air Lines
• Chief information officer at Citibank N.Y. Global Card Products Group

As if that isn’t enough, Bob has also been a senior information technology advisor for the Center for CIO Leadership, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Department of Justice.

We caught up with Target’s new CIO for some quick questions.

Why Target?
I see this as a tremendous opportunity to join a wonderful team and the best brand in retail – one that took a tough hit last year but has shown that it is committed to making it right. The opportunity to work in information technology and security, something I’ve been doing for 40 years, and a field I genuinely love, makes this a great challenge.

What’s your message to guests who are nervous about shopping with a credit or debit card?
Any time a consumer uses a credit or debit card there are risks, everywhere in the world. I think of the payment industry as an arms race, where retailers and banks have to stay out ahead of the bad guys. Clearly Target is investing in data security and information technology at unprecedented levels, which puts the company at the forefront of that race.

Okay, now for the quintessential question: What’s your favorite area to shop at Target?
My favorite aisle is whatever I need on any particular day. There’s so much to choose from, it seems like whatever is going on in my life Target has an answer for me. For example, when my son started his freshman year in college, he arrived with virtually nothing and didn’t know what to do so we just headed to Target!

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