Photo Credit: state of New Jersey
On Monday, Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill confirmed that Dave Cole will continue serving as New Jersey’s chief innovation officer and leader of the New Jersey Office of Innovation (OOI). Cole has spent roughly five years at OOI, the past two as chief innovation officer after succeeding Beth Noveck in 2024. Since taking on that role, he’s helped advance several of the state’s most visible digital and service delivery initiatives, drawing on experience in state government, private-sector leadership and his time in the Obama administration.
Also Monday, outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a bill essentially renaming the state’s Office of Innovation, launched in 2018, as the New Jersey Innovation Authority (NJIA) — and making it a permanent entity now guided by a board. Sherrill’s inauguration is set for Jan. 20.
The governor-elect framed Cole’s continuation as a strategic choice grounded in experience and momentum, stating in a news release that she was “honored to have Dave Cole continue as our state’s Chief Innovation Officer,” and highlighting his leadership record and cross-sector background as assets for the work ahead.
Cole’s background includes hands-on work across state technology efforts — from pandemic response initiatives to digital service design and resident experience projects. He served in leadership roles including senior adviser to the CIO and deputy director of new media in the Obama administration, and global vice president of strategy and operations at an AI-based technology startup, per Sherrill’s news release.
“We will continue to harness innovation to bolster our state’s economy, take a state-of-the-art approach to modernizing how residents get services, cut through red tape, and improve government efficiency,” Cole said in a statement.
Yet, while New Jersey embraces continuity in tech, recent election cycles could reshape technology leadership for other state and local governments.
In Virginia, where the state constitution prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s departure Jan. 17 will usher in a new administration. This could place state CIO Bob Osmond in an uncertain position, as incoming governors typically appoint their own cabinet and agency heads.
Locally, a change in Pittsburgh’s mayoral leadership had immediate consequences for the city’s technology team. Heidi Norman, who oversaw major initiatives including the launch of the city’s 311 AI chatbot pilot, exited her role as CIO this week at the request of the incoming administration. New technology leadership could impact the city’s broader innovation ecosystem — including initiatives like its PGH Lab incubator.
And in New York City, where Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser has spent recent years unifying agencies under the Office of Technology and Innovation for a more centralized approach to digital governance, the Jan. 1 inauguration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani raises questions about whether this model will continue under new leadership or be reshaped.
These varying approaches to technology leadership across states and cities highlight the complex interplay between political change and continuity.
In New Jersey, Murphy’s law — signed ahead of his final fortnight in office — makes the Garden State the first, according to a statement from the governor, to “enshrine a state innovation office into law.”
The NJIA, meanwhile, will have a 13-member board appointed by the governor — including members from the public and people with expertise in data science and public engagement. The move comes as New Jersey tries to position itself as a state leader in AI and matters related to government technology and innovation.
“With the permanent establishment of the New Jersey Innovation Authority, we are ensuring state government continues to deliver more efficient and effective services for New Jerseyans long after my time in office,” Murphy said in the statement. “I look forward to watching the New Jersey Innovation Authority develop new solutions to real-world problems, save our residents and businesses time and money, and further New Jersey’s reputation as a national leader in innovation.”
With the new law comes fresh data from the state designed to illustrate the appeal of the new innovation authority.
Since its launch, according to state data, the innovation operation has helped more than 65,000 people launch businesses via the state’s online portal, sparking some $168 million in economic activity in 2024.
Officials working on innovation also have deployed the latest technology to state call centers, used data to bring “nutritious food” to more students, and reduced wait times for unemployment insurance applications, among other work.
“Now more than ever, we need a government that is efficient, effective, and equitable in its delivery of service to all New Jerseyans,” Cole said in a statement. “This new structure stands up a model of what we know works: a data-driven, human-centered, and agile approach to improving the critical services that support our residents and grow our economy.”
Staff writers Thad Rueter and Ashley Silver contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify details about the New Jersey Innovation Authority.
