An Eastern graduate is the newly appointed director of the Department of Central Management Services for the state of Illinois.

Stephen B. Schnorf was appointed by Gov. George Ryan Sept. 19 after Michael S. Schwartz, the previous director, took an early retirement for health reasons. Schnorf served as director of CMS from 1991 through 1994 under Gov. Jim Edgar.

Schnorf’s appointment took effect Tuesday, and he does not have much time in office, as the term he took over ends Jan. 20.

However, he said he feels good about being back in the position because many of the people who worked for CMS during his previous term are still there.

CMS serves the state government and runs numerous agencies including telecommunications, computers, purchasing, labor relations, risk management and leasing.

“CMS is like a server for your computer,” he said.

Before being named director of CMS, Schnorf was the director of the Illinois Bureau of the Budget since 1997. He also served as Senior Assistant and Director of Policy from 1994 to 1997.

Schnorf grew up here, and he and his wife Jane both attended Eastern, as did both of their mothers.

Schnorf graduated from Eastern with a bachelors degree in history in 1966 and acquired his masters degree in guidance and counseling in 1973.

Prior to his involvement in state government, Schnorf directed several state advocacy agencies that included Coles County Association for the Retarded and Proviso Town Association for the Retarded.

In 1993, Schnorf received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Eastern.

“I think my graduate degree in guidance and counseling helped a lot,” Schnorf said.

The emphasis on listening to people that he learned in his graduate classes aided him in achieving what he has in state government, Schnorf said.