(AP) – The newly hired chief information technology officer for most Kansas government agencies has resigned after questions arose about the academic degree he holds.

Jim Mann submitted a letter of resignation Tuesday to Gov. Sam Brownback, only hours after Brownback acknowledged that his administration hadn’t thoroughly reviewed Mann’s entire educational background.

The governor’s office and Mann’s online resume listed him as holding a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Devonshire. The institution isn’t in an online database of accredited institutions maintained by the Washington-based Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

In his letter, Mann said the questions had compromised confidence in him. He began working Oct. 31 in the $150,000-a-year job of overseeing computer projects and systems for the executive branch.

ORIGINAL: Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says his administration did not thoroughly investigate the entire educational background of the new chief information technology officer for the state’s executive branch.

Brownback told reporters Tuesday that his administration concentrated on thoroughly reviewing Jim Mann’s work experience because that is what it views as important.

Mann lists a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Devonshire. The school does not appear in an online database of U.S.-accredited institutions maintained by the Washington-based Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The Topeka Capital-Journal first raised questions about the degree Monday, only hours after Brownback announced Mann’s hiring for the $150,000-a-year-job of overseeing computer projects and systems in the executive branch.

Brownback said Mann was hired for his more than two decades of experience in the private sector.