By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Office of Public Affairs
FORT HALL — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have announced the hiring of Rodney Te’o as Information Technology Director, effective September 8.
Te’o, who brings 25 years of experience in the technology industry, will lead the Tribes’ IT Department in its mission to promote and support the Tribal Government’s effective use of information technologies. The department recommends, implements, and maintains information technologies furthering goals at the Tribes.
From a tiny island in the South Pacific, Te’o began his career in 2000 in Hawai’i as an assistant tutor for Remington College’s computer science program before working as an ITS at Pearl Harbor Navy–Hickham Air Force Base. He relocated to Pocatello, in 2005 to work with ISJ Pioneer Publishing, later joining the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in 2007. Te’o served in several capacities, including at Tribal Health and Human Services and the Tribal Youth Education Program, before taking on a longtime role with the IT Department.
In 2022, he resigned as IT Director to accept a position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His return this month marks a new chapter for the Tribes’ technology operations.
When asked about his main goals in the position, Te’o said, “There is a lot to do, so I don’t plan to make any drastic changes at the moment. I plan to start the process of getting IT policies and procedures in place and fill in some vacancies we have in the department as we are very short-staffed. The IT Department will continue to leverage the rebuild phase we are in, to stay current, and compliant.”
Te’o holds an associate degree in information systems, a bachelor’s degree in information technology, and a master’s degree in information systems.
Outside of work, Te’o is a dedicated family man. He enjoys growing in his marriage with his wife of over 20 years, spending time with family and friends, cooking and barbecuing, coaching his children, watching movies, and fishing.