With new governors taking office across the country after the 2018 midterm elections, state IT departments are seeing new and familiar faces take the helm.
In Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis has named Theresa Szczurek as the new state CIO. Szczurek was previously the CEO at Radish Systems, a mobile software and services company. Szczurek will replace Suma Nallapati, who left in November to become the chief digital officer at DISH.
In Idaho, the longest reigning CIO in the country continues on: Greg Zickau will stay on as CIO under new Gov. Brad Little. Zickau has been in the role since 2004, serving as CIO throughout 4 administrations.
In Kansas, state CIO Lee Allen will stay on, despite the change in party between the administrations of former Gov. Kris Kobach and newly sworn-in Gov. Laura Kelly.
“Lee Allen will continue to lead the state’s technology efforts at this critical time for our state,” said Kelly. “Technology changes and modernization will be key to our state’s ability to serve all Kansans.” Allen, who took the office in June 2018, expressed his gratitude. “We will continue to focus on strengthening the security and improving service levels for all state agencies,” said Allen.
In Minnesota, state CIO Johanna Clyborne is stepping down, although her replacement is unclear at the moment. Clyborne, who took office in January 2018, is leaving as the new administration of Gov. Tim Walz takes office. Walz noted the absence to local outlet The Pioneer Press. “We are still searching. We are not going to rush into this decision,” Walz said. “I’m concerned for Minnesotans because government should do better.”
