Wanyonyi Kendrick is the vice president of Technology Services (aka chief information officer) at JEA.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
In this position since its creation in October, Kendrick provides the initial research and benchmarking of any new product or service before it comes into use. She also serves as a project manager, integrating customer needs with technology, and as system support for the record management, customer relations management, financial information and artificial information systems.
BEFORE BECOMING CIO . . .
Kendrick was JEA’s director of corporate applications. Before joining the JEA she worked as a tax consultant at HCMC and was responsible for the deployment of financial information systems. Kendrick began her work history in the United States in the finance department at Universal Card Services.
HOMETOWN
London.
EDUCATION
Parliament Hill High School in London was where Kendrick got her diploma. She went on to study biochemistry at the Polytechnic of Central London and accounting at the University of North Florida.
WHY GO INTO COMPUTERS?
“Most of my career I was interfacing with IT groups. I realized it was my forte. I enjoy working with customers, assessing their needs and translating it into the technology to meet those needs.”
WHAT’S CHALLENGING ABOUT IT?
“I have a lot of power over who to say yes or no to, and choosing which projects to take on and who we can’t help.”
CLIENT BASE
“Our external customers are the electric and water users — really anybody who wants a technology solution at JEA — but my primary customers are the vice presidents within JEA.”
FAMILY
Kendrick’s husband, Aaron, a former Marine, brought her across the Atlantic. They reside on the Northside with their three children, Angelica, Aaron and Joshua Luke.
HOBBIES
Kendrick enjoys running, weight training and traveling. She gets a giggle out of the movie “What About Bob,” gleans good advice from “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and surfs the tube for crime investigation stories. When she’s out of the house she likes to dine at Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
PROFESSIONAL TIES
Kendrick is on the board of In Roads ITFlorida, a group of technology leaders from all major sectors in the state whose job is to provide guidance and input to state officials in regards to Florida’s technology issues.
BRUSH WITH FAME?
“I danced with Queen Elizabeth when she came to our high school.”
—by Monica Chamness