Leyla Layman has taken over the job for now, assuming leadership of the Baltimore City Office of Information and Technology (BCIT), according to a city website. She’s worked for the city since 2019 and as a “key member of BCIT’s leadership team,” working closely with Carter.
Carter, meanwhile, has become vice president of business technology for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, better known as NERC.
The nonprofit regulatory group focuses on the “effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid,” according to NERC, with the group active in the U.S., Canada and Baja California in Mexico.
In this new job, Carter will oversee NERC’s “IT strategy, systems, applications, budget and personnel,” according to a statement from the organization. “In this role, he is responsible for driving the continued evolution and transformation of the organization’s effectiveness and efficiency, and leading next-level improvements in customer focus and collaboration.”
Baltimore officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment and an attempt to reach Carter was unsuccessful. NERC said he joined the group this month.
Before he went to work for Baltimore, Carter had IT leadership jobs at such energy providers as Exelon and Baltimore Gas and Electric.
Carter had what amounted to a baptism by technological fire during his first day with the city, with Baltimore suffering a ransomware attack. He was credited with helping not only to deal with that attack but upgrading the city’s IT infrastructure and network capabilities.
During his time as Baltimore CIO, Carter and his team of more than 150 people “transformed and modernized overall security, infrastructure and enterprise application platforms and processes, strengthening the city’s ability to improve services to residents and other stakeholders,” according to NERC.
As for Layman, her priorities include stronger cybersecurity, “overhauling” the city’s CitiWatch camera network and expanding digital equity, according to the city website.
Her previous experience includes serving as chief operating officer of Young Audiences, a nonprofit that works to bring more art into children’s education. She also worked for the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Child Support Administration as deputy executive director of operations and chief of staff.
