According to the Albany Times Union, Chief Technology Officer and Deputy Chief Information Officer Rajiv Rao has resigned from his position at ITS following a voluntary leave of absence. He’d been working as CTO since 2015. In 2018, he was awarded the State Technology Innovator Award from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, and in 2022 received Government Technology's Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers award.
According to the Times Union, Rao’s resignation comes during a time when officials have been reviewing his handling of government contracts with former Acting Budget Director Sandra L. Beattie.
Meanwhile, the agency is focusing on improving the delivery of data services to New Yorkers following a 2013 executive order for the state to identify and catalog data, as well as increase transparency. In March, ITS announced Rebecca Cai would serve as the agency’s chief data officer. She’ll work directly with the CTO and CIO to provide insight into tools, techniques and best practices to improve the delivery of data services and products throughout the state, including Open NY, the state’s open data platform.
“Rebecca’s extensive background in data strategy will be an asset to our client agencies and the people of New York in her role as CDO, as well as her work with the chief privacy officer and chief information security officer,” said acting ITS Chief Information Officer Jennifer Lorenz in a press release. “She has the experience and leadership skills necessary to ensure this issue continues to be a priority.”
ITS has experienced several staffing changes in recent months as former agency CIO Angelo “Tony” Riddick stepped down from his position at the end of March to retire in Florida with his family.
