Bishop begins as new IT director

Jana Mathia, Gazette Reporter | Apr 04, 20190

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Lance Bishop

Lance Bishop, wife Alice and their three children rolled onto the Palouse from Mississippi Friday.

Monday, Bishop went to his first day of work as the new Whitman County IT Director.

The Whitman County position opened when former IT director Chris Nelson was elected county treasurer.

"Technology is always changing, so you have to change with it," said Bishop from a seat at the county's IT building.

Change is not a new thing to Bishop. He grew up in a military family, moving regularly. He served in the Navy for six years, then earned a degree in information technology and was hired right out of college to work for an IBM business partner. For about 15 years he worked all over the country, from Florida to California, doing tech projects with government, insurance and medical businesses. While in Mississippi, he worked for about three-fourths of the state's 82 counties.

He was working as IT director for Adams County in Mississippi before coming to Whitman County.

"I was their first IT director," he noted. Bishop built the department and over the almost five years there he saved the county about $1.8 million with upgrades and efficiency.

While in Mississippi, Bishop and his wife decided they wanted to find a better place to raise their three children, ages 14, 10 and 4, with better schools and less crime. After researching, they found the Northwest fit what they were looking for and he started applying for jobs.

"This opportunity crossed my desk, I applied for it. It was a great fit," he said. He was offered the job in the first week of March and they made the move before the month was over.

The family took eight days to drive across the country, taking their time to learn about each state and its history as they went.

The Bishops moved into their new home Wednesday.

"The people here are very courteous and respectful," he said, noting when the family went to dinner Tuesday night, two college-age men held the doors open for them at the restaurant.

Bishop already has three big tasks on his plate: a new county website, install and update of courthouse cameras and security and the Geographic Information System.

Bishop recognizes that one of the values of technology is as a work force multiplier and that the department is not always about "the bits and the bytes." He sees it more about saving the county money and improving public safety.

He said the biggest mistakes he can make are making too many changes too fast and not making any changes, Bishop said.

"If you're not making any changes, you're not making improvements," he commented.

Bishop is getting oriented and up to speed on the projects already underway for the IT department.

"We are certainly glad to have Lance come aboard," said Whitman County Commissioner Michael Largent. "He comes at a time of some flux in county IT operations. Given Lance's background we certainly expect he will be of great value moving these priorities forward.

"I am excited to see what new ideas Lance brings to the table."