A department spokesman confirmed the transition Friday after the DIR announced the news. The DIR’s board of directors voted to install Napier after the exit of Karen Robinson, the state’s previous executive director and CIO, who stepped down at the end of 2014 to pursue a career in the private sector.
In her duties as executive director, Napier will have statewide authority over all information and communications technology planning, procurement and service delivery.
According to Napier’s LinkedIn profile, since graduating from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 1998 she has worked for the state, steadily moving up the ranks. Napier began as a legislative aide for Texas State Rep. Kenn George before becoming chief of staff for State Sen. Florence Shapiro. She moved to the Texas Attorney General’s Office next, where she filled a number of leadership positions dealing with external affairs, legislation and administrative duties.
Napier's previous position was at the Texas Governor’s Office serving Greg Abbott as director of administration — the same position Robinson held before becoming state CIO.
The department spokesman said Napier would not be available for comment until she officially takes on the role in mid-March, and that officials were not immediately available for comment on the criteria used to select her. Whether or not Napier will take on the role of CIO herself — or assign the duty — is still to be decided.
However, in the department release, DIR Board Chairman John Scott hailed the move with praise. “Stacey’s integrity, wisdom and work ethic are unsurpassed in government,” Scott said, commending her more than a decade of state service.
Napier reflected similar optimism in the release with comments that in turn praised previous and current leadership for “leading the way in delivering technology services.”
