“The Biden administration named its top federal cybersecurity policy leader Tuesday but numerous IT leadership positions across government remain vacant or in acting officials’ hands, including all politically appointed chief information officers.”
“Here’s where the major agencies stand on CIO and other important IT positions, including appointments and job postings.”
“Agriculture
Gary Washington, who has served as Agriculture Department CIO since early 2018, will remain in that position, sources confirmed to Nextgov.”
“Commerce
The Commerce Department still lists Andre Mendes as department CIO—as does Mendes’ LinkedIn account—though the position has been a political appointee in the past. Mendes has served as Commerce CIO since August 2019.”
“The department did not respond to several requests for clarification.”
“Defense
Former intelligence community CIO John Sherman—who joined the Defense Department as principal deputy CIO in June 2020—is serving as acting DOD CIO. Sherman took over for outgoing political appointee Dana Deasy, who served as DOD CIO from 2018 through the end of the Trump administration.”
“Education
Jason Gray, Education Department CIO since May 2016, remained in his career position through the transition.”
“Energy
While the Energy Department used to have a political appointee running the agency’s tech shop, that changed after the departure of Max Everett, who took a position as vice president of the Republican National Convention in 2019.”
“Since Everett’s departure, the Energy CIO role has been made a career position. Rocky Campione has served as the department’s CIO since 2019 and has stayed on through the transition.”
“Health and Human Services
Perryn Ashmore, who was named acting CIO in September 2020, was made the permanent IT leader in December. Ashmore has been with HHS since 2014 and previously served as principal deputy CIO, customer experience executive and executive director of OCIO’s Office of Operations…”
“… Veterans Affairs
Dominic Cussatt, deputy CIO, has been serving as acting CIO since political appointee James Gfrerer left with the change in administration. Prior to Gfrerer’s confirmation in January 2019, the department went through three different acting officials in two years…” Read the full article here.
Source: CIO Roundup: Here Are the Government’s Top Tech Chiefs So Far – By Aaron Boyd, January 26, 2021. Nextgov.
