Workforce and People

Incoming CISO Steve Hodges hopes his face-to-face approach to relationship building will help give the security team a louder voice in more decisions. He says he is focused on bolstering trust and giving partners the support they need.

Jennifer Ricker stepped down as secretary of the Department of Innovation and Technology on Monday. As her deputy, Brandon Ragle, takes over the role, Ricker reflects on her time in the position.

Steve Hodges brings more than 21 years of information security experience with the state government to the role, recently serving as a senior IT security manager for Georgia’s revenue department.

The Pre-Seed and Seed Matching Fund Program makes between $50,000 to $250,000 in assistance available to qualifying early-stage startup companies in the state as part of a larger effort to bolster high-growth industries.

Ricker, the CIO and secretary of Illinois’ Department of Innovation and Technology, will leave the role next week. Ricker has served as Illinois CIO for just under two and a half years, seeing the state through COVID-19.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has announced that Shelby Switzer has been hired to lead the city's Digital Services Team. Switzer is the first official hire for this team that was created in September 2022.

In a succinct farewell address, Gov. Charlie Baker offered his thank you as he rattled off his administration’s accomplishments over the last eight years, including bridging the digital divide in Western Massachusetts.

Leahy sought to bring more transparency to the technology agency’s offerings and work, and improve its customer service. Now as he leaves office, he expects to make a return to the private sector.

Jason Snyder is no newcomer to government, having served previously as the chief technology officer under former Gov. Deval Patrick. The appointment comes a day before the retirement of current Secretary Curtis Wood.

Nearly three years after the pandemic sent many employees of Greater Houston businesses home to work remotely, workers are returning to their offices at one of the highest rates in the country, according to recent data.

North Carolina Chief Risk Officer Rob Main announced his retirement from state government Dec. 31, ending a five-year run with the state's information technology department. He was appointed to the position in October 2021.

Doug Murdock, named state chief information officer in Hawaii by former Gov. David Ige, will remain in the post as the state continues a slate of technology modernization projects.

After serving six years as CIO and secretary of the IT department, Michael Leahy announced his forthcoming departure. The news comes as a new governor takes over from Gov. Larry Hogan, who appointed Leahy to the role.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has announced the appointment of Adam Proffitt as secretary of administration and Jeff Maxon as the interim chief information technology officer following the departure of Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace.

EC-Council University is making Certified Ethical Hacker and Certified Network Defender qualifications, as well as IT management training, part of a new online master’s degree program in computer science.

As current Chief Technology Officer Duane Schell approaches his last day in office at the end of this month, the state announced that Craig Felchle has taken over the role in a permanent capacity.

Fried brings experience as the chief technology and innovation officer for Baltimore city’s public library system and, previously, as CIO of the city’s Health Department. The appointment was announced last week.

The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation is receiving $72 million toward upgrading its unemployment insurance system. The project is expected to take four years to fully implement.