Public CIO Change in Arkansas

Carolyn Walton, executive CIO for Arkansas, is leaving her post March 26, 2004. She has accepted an executive leadership position with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. where she will be vice-president of Corporate Systems.

Gov. Mike Huckabee has named Doug Elkins as the new executive CIO effective March 29, 2004.

"Becoming the state's CIO is a natural move for Doug," Huckabee said. "He has years of experience and will help us reach new levels technologically in state government."

Elkins is currently the director of Arkansas' Department of Information Systems. He became the department director in June 2001 following 17 years in the private sector in a variety of technical and managerial roles.