According to the Governor's Office, Colorado is one of only two states in the nation to elevate the management of statewide e-government and technology economic growth to the cabinet level.
"John Hansen's outstanding business skills and reputation will help Colorado lead the nation in best government service to citizens, and to become a global center for technology business, education and job creation," said the governor. In addition to his new role as secretary, Hansen will continue in his current position as the state's chief technology officer.
Hansen replaces Marc Holtzman, the state's first secretary of technology, who was recently named president of the University of Denver. Holtzman will continue as co-chairman of the Governor's Commission on Science and Technology, and chairman of New Schools Development Corporation.
"I am honored to continue building on the foundation established by Gov. Owens and Marc Holtzman," said Hansen. "We will continue our mission to provide more valuable government services at lower costs to the people of Colorado, and to facilitate and stimulate a technology environment that drives our economy."
Hansen said a central project well under way at the Governor's Office of Innovation and Technology, under his direction, is the creation of an "Innovation Infrastructure." This comprehensive initiative is designed to improve service to citizens while lowering costs, establish Colorado as a national "technology destination" and create jobs through the cultivation of innovation and technology entrepreneurship.
"Our goal is to create an environment that will attract new technology companies, new sources of capital and new funding for research and development," said Hansen. "We are building Colorado's Innovation Infrastructure today through technology transfer programs, e-government policy support, entrepreneurial development programs, and collaborative initiatives that bring thought leaders together."
Under Hansen's leadership to date:
- An E-Government initiative is now being implemented.
- An enterprise architecture advisory board is developing architectural standards for state information technology. The board is preparing to announce statewide standards later this summer.
- Colorado Chief Information Officer Leroy Williams has conducted market analysis of other states' strategies and has established a Project Management Office to begin documenting and measuring Colorado's Strategic Information Technology Plan, scheduled for release in July.
- A chief security officer has been appointed and a statewide security and privacy initiative is now under way.
- In cooperation with the Office of Economic Development, numerous meetings and communications are being facilitated with companies considering moving to or expanding in Colorado. Target industries include biotechnology, aerospace, telecommunications, enterprise IT and venture capital groups.
- The life sciences and biotechnology initiative is under way with the completion of the "Action Plan to Grow Colorado's Bioscience Cluster" and with the appointment of Paul Ray as director of this new office.
- The Office of Aerospace and Aeronautics has been established and former state legislator Tim Fritz has been appointed director. He is currently assembling an advisory board.
- Planning and programming for the September Colorado Technology Summit is in place. Sun CEO Scott McNealy and J.D. Edwards CEO Bob Dutkowsky are confirmed as key speakers.
As Secretary of Technology, Hansen will manage the Governor's Office of Innovation and Technology, overseeing all aspects of technology programs and initiatives throughout Colorado. He will continue to receive a $1 annual salary.
Hansen was formerly the president and CEO of the Colorado Institute of Technology, a position he held since November 2000. Hansen serves on the Governor's Commission on Science and Technology and the Supreme Court Nominating Commission. His 19 years of tech and telecom experience encompass top-level executive and engineering responsibilities, most recently as CEO of Boulder-based Solant.
He founded network product developer Networks Northwest Inc. in 1990 and wireless software provider Metapath Corp., where he served as chairman and CEO until the merger with Mobile Systems International in 1998 and subsequent sale to Marconi PLC. Hansen holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Brigham Young University.
