By CASSANDRA MICKENS / Associate Editor

Shelby County Commissioner Rick Shepherd was recently appointed to the Alabama Supercomputer Authority effective immediately, replacing board member Rebecca Marion.

Established in 1989, the ASA provides a professional portfolio of information technology resources and services for the advances of education, research and economic development in Alabama.

Shepherd, a Hoover resident and commission vice chairman, works for Citrix Systems, Inc., an American multinational software company that provides cloud computing technologies and services.  Shepherd graduated from Auburn University with a concentration in technology management, and has previous experience with state department information technology systems. He previously worked  for three major information technology and computer manufacturers as an engineer, account manager and engineer manager.

Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Shepherd to ASA’s 21-member Board of Directors, which sets policy and direction for the Alabama Research and Education Network and the Alabama Supercomputer Center. Shepherd’s term will expire Aug. 31, 2017.

“Appointing you to this position comes with great responsibility because you will be making important decisions that affect the citizens of Alabama,” Bentley wrote in a Jan. 16 letter to Shepherd. “Honesty and integrity are two virtues that I prioritize for my Administration to exemplify, and I know that you will do the same while in service to our great State. ”

Said Shepherd: “It is a great honor to be chosen for this position by the Governor. I will do my best to serve the needs of the Alabama research and education community. I feel that my years of information technology experience and leadership positions I’ve held will greatly enhance my ability to serve.”