Workforce and People

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday the appointment of Laura Clark to the position of chief information officer. Clark will also continue to serve in her role as the state’s chief security officer.

Nadia Hansen concludes two years as CIO of Clark County, Nev., leaving behind a more human-centric department. In her next role, she will help support digital transitions for state and local governments worldwide.

Public- and private-sector organizations are facing staffing shortages, especially in technical positions. But don’t forget to take care of your current staff, who may be struggling with burnout.

A renovated section of Northeast Early College High School in Austin will support an early college program in information technology, providing students with free classes and the chance to specialize in cybersecurity.

Plus, Philadelphia reports progress in getting residents connected to the Internet, Cleveland has a new program to connect residents to resources, an online map lets residents get involved with redistricting work, and more.

Public-sector and industry leaders remarked on the future of work at the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, saying remote should be the default to improve efficiencies and aid in recruitment.

Delaware CIO Jason Clarke explains that the challenge of having done so much high-quality tech work for state agencies early in the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to meet those expectations with the same staff.

Melissa Bridges, the first performance and innovation coordinator for Little Rock, Ark., has announced on social media that she will be leaving her position to join the private sector.

When a new mayor is seated in January, he will take over for an administration that, for eight years, worked to link technology, robotics and artificial intelligence with an influx of startups and its major universities.

The two-year college in Georgia has delayed the announcement of a new training program with one of the world's largest tech companies, while it also plans new campuses and programs focused on workforce development.

Despite the ever-growing need to secure the public sector, hiring and retaining cyber professionals in state and local government has never been harder. Here are three tactics that may help.

At this week’s NASCIO conference in Seattle, Ohio Chief Information Officer Katrina Flory talked about an unexpected effect of the pandemic on IT staff, and how her state is preparing for future staffing needs.

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers recently honored people and projects that have demonstrated innovation in technology within the public sector, and named a new president.

In his new role, Meyer will work as a consulting security architect for World Wide Technology in the company’s state and local government education division. He was appointed as state CISO in 2018.

Hoping to bolster the cybersecurity workforce in East Texas and nationwide, the University of Texas intends to start offering the program in fall 2022 through the Tyler campus' Soules College of Business.

Leslie Chaney, CIO of New Hanover County, has retired after 17 years with the regional government. Sunny Hwang will start as the county’s CIO in November, bringing a mix of public- and private-sector IT experience.

Minnesota CISO Rohit Tandon explains that as cybersecurity threats grow, so does the need for staff to protect the state, and in a world of remote work, competition for skilled talent is fiercer than ever.

Most state CIOs expect remote work to continue and for digital services to keep proliferating. That introduces a host of shifting priorities, including a renewed need for cybersecurity enhancements and identity tools.