MOUNT VERNON — Knox County is proud to announce that Kyle Webb, director of Information Technology, has graduated with a Master of Science in cybersecurity from Franklin University.
In recognition of his academic achievement and continued leadership, Webb has been promoted to the role of chief information officer (CIO) for Knox County.
Webb, who has led the IT department since its inception in September 2019, has played a pivotal role in building a secure, efficient, and forward-thinking technology infrastructure for the county. His recent academic achievement in cybersecurity underscores Knox County’s ongoing commitment to digital security and service in an increasingly technology-reliant world.
“Without technology, county operations can come to a screeching halt,” Webb said. “Look at any ransomware incident in a government agency. We’re here to try to prevent that.”
In tandem with Webb’s promotion, Trevor Ditmars, previously assistant director of IT, has been appointed as deputy chief information officer. Ditmars, who also serves as the county’s systems administrator, has been instrumental in supporting the department’s operations.
“Kyle has established a team of highly skilled IT professionals,” said Jason Booth, county administrator. “I am proud of the work they do on a daily basis for Knox County, ensuring county operations run effectively and efficiently. The promotions of Kyle and Trevor are well deserved, and we are fortunate to have them leading our IT department.”
Expanding scope of IT
These new roles reflect the expanding scope and sophistication of IT services in Knox County.
The Knox County IT Department has grown substantially in the five and a half years since its creation. Initially focused on supporting the offices under the Board of Commissioners, the department has expanded with its entrance into service agreements with the City of Mount Vernon, the Village of Gambier, and the Village of Fredericktown, with a broad focus on helpdesk support, systems administration, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, media communications, and more.
“I hope to continue to serve the citizens of Knox County as a public servant coming from a family of public servants,” Webb, the son of a police officer and a firefighter, said. “I’m not good at putting out fires or chasing down bad guys, but I am good at fixing computers.”