King County, Wash., Makes Its Interim CIO Permanent

Stephen Heard, a veteran executive who has served as interim CIO for King County, Wash., for about one year, has been elevated to permanent status.

Heard, who has been interim CIO for the county since January 2025, was named permanent CIO last month as new King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, who was sworn in in November, announced his Cabinet and senior leaders. King County is home to Seattle, the county seat and the state’s most populous city.

“Stephen offers strong people leadership skills, IT expertise and knowledge of King County,” Karissa Braxton-Lytle, Zahilay’s deputy communications director, said in an email. “Stephen’s seasoned leadership is critical during this time of rapid technology advancement in county systems and services and the first King County Executive transition in 16 years.”

Heard was named interim CIO following the departure of Megan Clarke in January 2025. She had held the position since 2023. Heard had previously served as chief technology officer for King County for more than five years, among other tech roles.

Heard has been leading a modernization of the county’s property, treasury and assessment system, officials said. He will also take the lead on the implementation of AI technology to improve the delivery of services and internal operations. Heard will also explore technology investments that improve the delivery of services and resident access to county programs, Braxton-Lytle said.