Gerald Shields
Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer (CIO), Information Technology

Gerald Shields

Gerald Shields is senior vice president and chief information officer for Aflac Incorporated. He oversees the strategic initiatives and the day-to-day operations of Aflac’s U.S. Information Technology Division. Mr. Shields also is responsible for the division’s project management and customer relationship management efforts. In his current position, Mr. Shields has directed development of Aflac’s IT Strategic Plan. He has also strengthened the infrastructure and positioned the company for future growth.

During his tenure, Computerworld and Information Week 500 have consistently named Aflac as one of the Best Places to Work in IT.  Mr. Shields was also selected as one of Computerworld’s 100 Premier CIOs for 2006.

Prior to joining Aflac, Mr. Shields served as the chief technology officer, director of Information Services for LifeWay Christian Resources and held senior IT positions at Electronic Data Systems (EDS). At LifeWay, he directed the corporation’s transition from mainframe based systems to Unix based client server packages. He implemented web technologies for E*Publishing and E*Customer Service.

At EDS, Mr. Shields was the account manager for Saturn Corporations Corporate Systems and Data Center operations. He was responsible for all data processing operations and development supporting Saturn’s financial, personnel, payroll and benefits systems, end user computer training, PC/Desktop support, PC repair and maintenance, Local Area Network (LAN) implementation and support, client server development, telecommunications support, help desk and data center operations.

Also during his tenure at EDS, Mr. Shields was the systems engineering manager responsible for all IT planning, analysis, design, construction and implementation of Saturn’s 30 financial systems. Additional responsibilities included profit and loss budgeting and management, personnel management and technology planning.

He began his management career at Aflac in 2002 as vice president, Information Technology Enterprise Services. He was promoted to senior vice president, deputy chief information officer in October 2004.

Mr. Shields holds bachelors degrees from Baylor University in accounting and computer science. He also holds a Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI) certification from the Life Office Management Association (LOMA.)

Gerald Shields