Workforce and People

Plus, during the State of the Net conference, officials discussed broadband funding proposals and the importance of AI-supporting communications infrastructure; new state bills address broadband; and more.

The district has announced a new AI training requirement for all government employees and contractors, in an effort to guide the responsible daily use of the technology. It’s provided through InnovateUS.

Mark Combs, Vermont’s inaugural chief technology and enterprise services officer, helped expand the scope of state digital services as his role changed. Officials are now seeking his successor.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s choice to lead gov tech efforts in the Big Apple has more than three decades of heavyweight experience. Gelobter, a computer scientist, helped invent GIFs and worked on the Hulu launch team.

Amy Tong, the former director of the California Department of Technology and state CIO for more than five years, was most recently senior counselor to Gov. Gavin Newsom. Her last day in the role was Jan. 31.

Lee E. Micai, a longtime technologist in Mercer County government, has been named to the role, which he said entails responsibilities previously assigned to the head of IT. His tenure began last month.

Tarek Tomes, who is also commissioner of Minnesota IT Services, will leave in mid-March for a tech role in higher education. When he does, Deputy Commissioner Jon Eichten will step in as interim CIO.

The state’s recently arrived director of cyber operations will work closely with state Chief Information Security Officer Chris Gergen to build and manage statewide cybersecurity strategy and operations.

Nearly a month after Aaron Bentley left his role as Salt Lake City CIO to take a position with the state of Utah, the City Council appointed Zach Posner, now-former CIO for Salt Lake County, as his successor.

Less than three weeks after the resignation of state CIO Greg Lane, Delaware is recruiting its next technology leader. The person selected will oversee a yearly operating budget of more than $100 million.

Among the recommendations from last year’s audit was creating a high-level management role to oversee tech. The city’s inaugural CIO is its now-former director of digital services.

Amid a wave of IT leadership promotions, the state lifted the acting tag from four total positions, the others being executive deputy CIO, chief of staff to the CIO and executive director of CODE PA.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has appointed Kevin Dehmer, the now-former state education commissioner, as the state’s new chief technology officer. Longtime CTO Chris Rein’s last day was Friday.

Bryce Bailey, deputy state CISO, has been tapped to be interim CISO in the Cornhusker State following the departure of Abby Eccher-Young. The state is also looking to hire a new chief data officer.

Rein, who has been in place since May 2018, was the state’s second standalone CTO and its former deputy chief information security officer. Vernon Spencer, state chief operating officer, will step in as interim CTO.

Following a turbulent year in cybersecurity, the state Governor’s Technology Office is seeking to hire a new cybersecurity lead to manage risk and compliance. Nevada’s permanent CISO retired in May 2025.

Kyle Guerrant takes over for Michelle Lange, who is set to step down to take a job in the private sector. The state CIO departed in December for a technology role at Michigan State University.

An upcoming event at Penn State Berks will host small- and medium-sized manufacturers and technology professionals interested in networking and learning about how AI is poised to change their industry.