Her departure marks the end of a tenure that began in 2021, when she was first appointed to the CIO role after building a career rooted in cybersecurity. Clark’s precise role at MSU is unclear.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Friday that Eric Swanson will now serve as acting CIO, stepping into the position while continuing his work as director of the Center for Shared Solutions within the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB). The shift places Swanson in charge of Michigan’s enterprise technology strategy amid ongoing efforts to modernize government services.
His move into the acting CIO role follows a long trajectory in state government. According to a state news release shared via email, Swanson began his career as a student intern. He later played a significant part in building Michigan’s Center for Shared Solutions into a statewide operation that delivers shared technology services across agencies.
Whitmer framed the leadership transition around the growing importance of cybersecurity, stating in the news release that “in our changing world, it’s more important than ever to protect Michigan’s people and state government from cyber threats.” Michigan’s cybersecurity division, she noted, ranks among the best in the nation and credited that standing in part to Swanson and the broader DTMB team.
A focus on cybersecurity has been a consistent priority for Michigan’s technology leadership. Before becoming the state’s top technology official, Clark built much of her career on protecting systems and data, including a stint as the state’s chief security officer.
She was recognized in 2024 as one of Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers for her work to push cybersecurity efforts in the state. In a previous interview, Clark stressed that “having a cybersecurity background, or at least a solid understanding of the cybersecurity landscape, is critical for any IT leader … .”
