Please join WashU IT in welcoming two new staff members, both bringing a commitment to service and a wealth of experience to the team.
John Laverdure, our new IT Program Manager for the Portfolio and Project Management Office, served in the military, and comes to WashU after professional stints at IBM, KPMG, and Ameren. His most recent assignment was for U.S. Bank overseeing a project management team.
“I learned project and program management in the Air Force,” said Laverdure, who served for 28 years between being an enlisted person and a reservist. He noted if it hadn’t been for the military, “I wouldn’t have found my spot.”
His decision to be commissioned and serve after college was motivated by his desire to serve, and inspired by his older brother who joined before him.
John and his wife live in O’Fallon, Illinois. Currently he is an adjunct faculty member in the Computer Management Information Systems program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and mentors protégés through American Corporate Partners. The organization connects veterans and their spouses to career opportunities and mentors, as well as tools that help them be successful.
As part of the Service Management Office and the Asset Management Program team, Jerri Gaither will support the development, maintenance, and monitoring of IT Service Management Practices, including IT Asset Management and Service Configuration Management. With 10 years of IT operations experience, Jerri, our new Information Technology Service Management Analyst I, looks forward to her new role.
Jerri started her IT career as a database administrator for a local publishing company before taking time off to start a family. Upon her return, Jerri entered into the Operations side of IT where she became more passionate with IT Best Practices and enriching the IT Organization through process improvements.
Following time working at Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and MiTek Inc., Jerri said she is excited to join the WashU IT team, noting during the interview process, “The people were genuinely nice and welcoming. Washington University is a highly respected institution in STL, and I’m honored to be given this opportunity.”
Jerri and her family reside in Swansea, Illinois. They enjoy traveling, camping, ATVs, and discovering new experiences during each adventure.