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Borders Opens New CIO Chapter

The book industry is a fickle one. Ask Judith Regan. Or Cedric Vanzura, who just got written out of the technology strategy at Borders.

Bookstore-chain retailer Borders said yesterday that it was eliminating Vanuzura's job as chief strategy officer and executive VP of emerging business and technology, and he would be leaving the company in September. Taking his place will be Susan Harwood, who will have the title of CIO. Harwood's coming to Borders from her CIO job at Books-A-Million, an online bookseller.

Vanzura had been helping Borders transition its e-commerce strategy, after the bookseller decided to end its relationship with Amazon.com and launch its own consolidated online retail site, which is scheduled to go live next year.

Borders CEO George Jones said: "Now that the strategic plan is set and its initiatives are being executed within the individual units, Rick and I agree that this is a logical time for him to transition away from his strategic duties."

There's one too many uses of the word 'strategic' in that sentence for me to follow. But Rick is being a trouper. "I look forward to seeing the strategy unfold as a devoted customer and Borders Rewards member," Vanzura said.

What will Vanzura tranistion to, strategy-wise? Mum's the word. But you know what they say: When one books closes, another one opens up.

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