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California Officials Recognized at CIO Academy Event

Many were recognized during an awards ceremony that capped the annual CIO Academy.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Chris Cruz and J. Clark Kelso were recognized Tuesday, Feb. 15, for their contributions to California public-sector IT.

Cruz, the deputy director and CIO of the California Department of Health Care Services; and Kelso, the federal receiver of the California Prison Health Care Receivership, were recognized during an awards ceremony that capped the annual CIO Academy, a two-day conference that brings together California state agency CIOs and private-sector executives for a series of workshops. The event is hosted by Government Technology’s parent company, e.Republic.

Cruz received the CIO Leadership Award — recognizing a CIO who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership throughout the year — for his efforts and dedication toward the success of IT consolidation, specifically as the executive sponsor of  the state’s E-mail, Directory and Collaboration Services Work Group and also the Green IT work group.

Kelso, who is a former state CIO of California and has worked in several state-level positions, received the Technology Champion Award — recognizing a California state government executive whose vision and leadership helped the state better serve its constituents through the strategic use of technology — for his efforts and commitment   to successfully launching the state’s Federated Data Center in support of IT consolidation.

"Innovators are pioneers. They're the first to open up the pathways for others to follow," Kelso said Tuesday.

Miriam Jones is a former chief copy editor of Government Technology, Governing, Public CIO and Emergency Management magazines.