Thomas DeChiaro is the Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO), responsible for shaping the University's information technology vision to support and extend the impact of Drexel's strategic initiatives.

DeChiaro came to Drexel in January 2016 with more than 20 years of strategic IT experience and leadership in both higher education and the private sector. As CIO at Western Connecticut State University, he was responsible for all technology supporting the university's two campuses, and he served on the CIO leadership team supporting Connecticut's Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Before beginning his career in higher education, DeChiaro was senior vice president of the commercial systems group for defense contractor DSCI, where he led the commercialization strategy for all technology disciplines. He was responsible for working across DSCI's global divisions in order to transform the typical Department of Defense culture into one focused on commercialization and multi-use technology, was involved with DSCI's government relations activities, and served as executive relationship manager to IBM, Microsoft, Boeing, HP, GE, L3 Communications and others. While responsible for DSCI's Research & Intellectual Property strategy and for raising capital, he was instrumental in raising $10 million dollars for DSCI Research and Development.

Prior to DSCI, DeChiaro managed the information strategy for IBM's Intellectual Property Licensing division and later served as executive program director for IBM Corporate Functions. He also chaired the Corporate Functions Investment Review Board and managed a $110 million operating budget. During his tenure, IBM recognized DeChiaro with an Outstanding Technical Achievement award.

Along with his strategic IT expertise, DeChiaro brings an entrepreneurial spirit to the role of CIO. He serves as a C-level executive advisor/screener for Astia, providing advice and counsel to Astia's network of angel investors and venture capital firms fueling the growth of innovative women-led ventures worldwide.

DeChiaro earned a bachelor of science degree in computer and information science from Brooklyn College and competed his MBA at Western Connecticut State University. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds several professional certificates from George Washington University.