Credit: South Dakota
Gottumukkala’s final day with the state will be May 16, after which he will be joining the federal government as deputy director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to an announcement Thursday from the state.
He took on the position of state CIO in September 2024 following the exit of prior CIO Jeff Clines, after serving as South Dakota’s second chief technology officer.
During his time as CIO, Gottumukkala’s IT strategy entailed the embrace of emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence to cloud computing to mobile applications, with a guiding focus on operational efficiency.
“We are embracing innovation to deliver better, faster and more secure services for all the citizens,” the CIO previously told Government Technology.
The state has mounted a recruitment for its next BIT commissioner and CIO. The new technology leader will oversee the state’s centralized IT organization, set a statewide strategy, and lead enterprisewide digital services, cybersecurity and infrastructure modernization. The closing date for the position, a cabinet-level post that reports to the governor, is May 3, according to the listing, indicating the job may be filled before the current CIO’s departure.
“Serving the people of South Dakota as State Chief Information Officer and Commissioner of BIT has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to protect and strengthen the nation’s digital and physical infrastructure at a time when it matters most.”
South Dakota’s Department of Tribal Relations Secretary David Flute is also leaving the state to serve DHS as its senior tribal adviser on Indian affairs.
“They have played a key role in keeping South Dakota strong, safe, and free, and they will certainly be missed,” Gov. Larry Rhoden said in a statement.
