Government Technology's 2002 GT Top 25

function of government, public servants must assure that these systems are robust, redundant and continuously available. Financial crises in many states require that digital government solutions contribute to assurance, cost effectiveness or strategic goals."

Major Riddick

Chief of Technology, Maryland

Major Riddick is a high-profile advocate for the use of information technology to tackle social and economic challenges. He was a key mover of Gov. Glendening's aggressive IT agenda from digital signature legislation to network development. Riddick's work in this arena has been recognized by many business and education organizations.

Technology challenge: "To ensure that applications and systems are secure from outside threat. Governments will have to demonstrate careful review and great restraint when balancing constitutional protections and monitoring of citizens' activities online. Given the fact that governments must now protect their systems by developing redundant backups, strict policies and backup plans, it must not be forgotten that we are here to offer service and value-added to the citizen base. In the wake of Sept. 11, it will be more challenging than ever to continue in our quest to offer citizen services online and protect our critical systems."

Todd Sander

Chief Information Officer, Tucson, Ariz.

Sander's belief that technology should be a foundation for innovation has resulted in innovating projects such as a redesigned city Web portal and broad-ranging CRM and GIS initiatives.

Technology challenge: "We are still faced with a need to improve the process of governance at all levels. However, the tragedies and fiscal downturn of 2001 require that we focus our efforts away from mere transactional convenience and concentrate on supporting better decision-making by elected and appointed officials. One definition of leadership is 'an un-anxious presence.' If our leaders are to express that kind of leadership in 2002, they must understand the challenges they face and have the information they need from both traditional and non-traditional sources to make good decisions."

Al Sherwood

Chairman, Utah Electronic Commerce Council

Sherwood has served state government for 20 years, and currently serves as a liaison to 14 state agencies, reviewing and making recommendations with regard to agency IT plans, funding proposals and overall IT strategic direction.

Technology challenge: "If government is ultimately to save money, we must look at a number of creative ways to cut e-government deployment costs. We must keep credit card fees to a minimum and offer additional alternatives, such as debit or ACH e-payment services. We must buy and build enterprise infrastructure that supports full end-to-end transactions, including electronic signatures. Otherwise we continue to exit the off-ramp and go back to paper. We must look carefully at, and purchase where appropriate, component-based products, such as [the] portal, personalization, content management, work flow and electronic forms packages."

Jabari Simama, Ph.D.

Senior Public Technology Advisor, Atlanta

Jabari Simama has been a national symbol for the effort to bridge the digital divide. In his post with Atlanta, he was the guiding force behind the development of cyber centers in the city's underserved neighborhoods. The program has trained more than 7,000 students and elder citizens to use technology to improve their lives.

Technology challenge: "Keeping the momentum of the e-government movement going despite the economic downturn. Many governments are facing budget cuts and other belt-tightening measures. It will be a challenge to continue to fund and use governments' digital infrastructure to deliver services, information and content to citizens, particularly those who are on the wrong side of the digital divide. This entails funding community technology centers that focus on workforce skills, education and community development. Community technology centers also serve as access points for citizens who don't have computers and Internet service in the home, enabling them to participate in digital government on an