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Champaign IT director to retire after more than 18 years of service

Champaign IT director to retire after more than 18 years of service

City Manager Joan Walls described him as a steady presence who helped modernize city systems while maintaining a focus on community needs and staff support. Photo: Contributed/City of Champaign


CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — The City of Champaign announced that Information Technologies Director Mark Toalson will retire this summer after more than 18 years of service.

Toalson’s final day with the city is scheduled for Aug. 14, concluding a tenure that included overseeing major technology initiatives and infrastructure improvements. He was appointed IT director in 2012 after previously serving as assistant director of Geographic Information Systems and working with Champaign County’s GIS Consortium.

“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the City,” Toalson said in a statement, noting that working alongside colleagues and mentoring staff were among the highlights of his career.

City Manager Joan Walls praised Toalson’s leadership, describing him as a steady presence who helped modernize city systems while maintaining a focus on community needs and staff support.

During his time as IT director, Toalson led the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system for finance and human resources, guided the city’s transition to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, and expanded cybersecurity efforts. He also supported initiatives to improve digital access in underserved areas and oversaw upgrades to the city’s network infrastructure.

City officials said the search for a new IT director is expected to begin later this summer.

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