NASCIO created this annual award to spotlight a state CIO who has exemplified outstanding service, advocacy, and leadership in state government. Meritorious Service Award recipients consistently champion the vision, mission and principles of NASCIO. Meritorious Service Award recipients are nominated by their state CIO peers and selected by NASCIO's Executive Committee.
"Tom Jarrett's exceptional leadership skills and diplomatic finesse are second to none," said Iowa CIO John Gillispie, who nominated Jarrett for this year's award. "As a past President of NASCIO and Chair of numerous committees, Mr. Jarrett has vigorously championed NASCIO's mission to foster government excellence through quality business practices, information management, and technology policy. His longstanding commitment and dedication have been instrumental in NASCIO being recognized as a national leader in IT policy at all levels of government."
Jarrett, named Cabinet Secretary of the Delaware Department of Technology and Information and Delaware State Chief Information Officer in 2001, serves as Governor Minner's chief advisor on technology matters and as the Chairman of Delaware's Technology Investment Council. Over the past five years, Jarrett has managed the transition of the Office of Information Services to the new Department of Technology and Information (DTI). Today DTI, under Jarrett's direction, utilizes business case methodology for review and approval of all state government IT projects, and has implemented its own compensation and performance packages.
"Five years ago, I asked Tom Jarrett to help me salvage a troubled state government IT agency," said Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner. "Not one to be daunted by a difficult and often thankless task, Tom answered the call. He has since been the key to creating an IT organization that rivals any in the private sector and has been recognized nationally for exceptional achievements. Tom exemplifies advocacy, particularly in the area of cyber security, as well as overall vision and leadership in state government."
