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Veteran of Miami-Dade County Government is New CIO

Judy Zito steps in as changes in county government abound and a budget deficit demands her attention

MIAMI -- Judy Zito has been in training for her new job as CIO of Miami-Dade County for 21 years -- or it would seem. During that tenure with the county, she was the project manager for the pilot Web portal, built a new online Web services unit, was director of the county's e-Government Department, handled GIS and customer service and managed communications for the county. Now, with the resignation of CIO Randy Witt and the city manager, Zito finds herself broadly equipped to run the entire IT show.

"I am a little overwhelmed right now," she admitted. "I feel like a jack-of-all-trades. I admit I do have a diverse background. ... Maybe it's 'dumb luck,' but it's all coming together. For the role of a CIO, I think the experience really counts."

That experience has allowed Zito to look at the IT structure and processes in Miami-Dade from both inside and outside the department. With the county facing a critical budget deficit, this perspective will be important as she determines the future of the e-Government Department. "I want to take a fresh look at the organization of the technology here in the county," she said. "I want to see if there are opportunities to improve -- take a step back and see what is best. We are looking at different models and best practices." She has Arizona's Maricopa County in her sights as well as the city of Philadelphia, where CIO Dianah Neff has tackled the often-touchy issue of centralization.

"We do have a consolidation mandate in the county," Zito explained. "I want to take a look at that and see if we should proceed or perhaps change course." To date, she estimates about one-third of the county's 45 agencies have been identified for the consolidation process. Zito is quick to explain that consolidation does not mean layoffs of the county's work force. "There have been some very positive experiences," she said of projects completed. "But consolidation of anything in government is difficult."

The current fiscal crunch is driving her desire to carefully examine the road map she was handed when she stepped up to the job just a few weeks ago. "We are being asked to do more with less," she said. "It is more important than ever to make sure the technology investments we make are actually providing value to the departments and to the public."
Zito said this analysis will include re-evaluating projects currently underway, along with the consolidation effort.

Zito added that her predecessor left her with a strong legacy of successes. "Our former CIO did a great job," she observed. "I want to take a better look at what he was doing. Over the four years, he led some significant changes, and I don't intend to come in and change things that are working very well."

There is, however, one little change she'd like to see. Quickly clarifying that she appreciates the vendor community and considers them partners with the county, she said she'd appreciate fewer phone calls as she launches into her new responsibilities. Changes at the top layers of Miami-Dade leadership have come quickly and somewhat unexpectedly, requiring that Zito focus fast and keenly on her new job.

Zito began her career with the county as a system analyst in 1981 and was steadily promoted to positions of greater authority. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and management information systems from the University of South Florida and a master's degree in communications and leadership from Seton Hall University along with a professional certification in telecommunications from the University of Miami.