NEWS ROOM | Press Releases
For immediate release: October 28, 2009
Contact: Shawn Karrick
NASCIO Honors Maine CIO Richard Thompson with Meritorious Service Award
(Austin, TX) – The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) presented the State of Maine CIO Richard Thompson and former NASCIO Executive Committee member, with its prestigious Meritorious Service Award.
“I am pleased that Richard Thompson has been recognized with the National Association of State Chief Information Officers’ Meritorious Service Award”, said Governor John E. Baldacci, State of Maine. “Richard has provided the vision, leadership and enthusiasm that have helped the State of Maine create one of the most user-friendly and informative Web sites across state governments. His commitment to implementing effective technologies to expand online government services and access to public information is unparalleled. Under Richard’s guidance, the State of Maine has been able to meet significant challenges posed by the requirements of the federal Recovery Act while constantly improving the functionality of its information technology.”
NASCIO created the Meritorious Service Award to spotlight a state CIO who has exemplified outstanding service, advocacy, and leadership in state government. Meritorious Service Award recipients consistently champion the vision, mission and principles of NASCIO. Meritorious Service Award recipients are nominated by their state CIO peers and selected by NASCIO’s Executive Committee.
“I am so delighted that Dick Thompson is being honored with the NASCIO Meritorious Service Award", said Teri Takai, State of California CIO. "He has held a number of key positions in Maine state government, bringing considerable experience to the role of CIO. With his vast knowledge of procurement and the consolidation of IT services, he has made major contributions to NASCIO and state CIOs from around the country. He is always willing to share his insight with others, and his work on NASCIO’s Executive Committee to help organize our members and develop major policy papers will greatly advance our efforts to modernize and improve IT throughout the states.”
Thompson has been an active member of NASCIO since 2003. He served on the Executive Committee from 2003 through 2009 and has chaired numerous committees including Innovative Funding for State IT Working Group and the Federal Cost Allocation and Regulatory Reform committee.
In 2003, Thompson was appointed as Maine’s Chief Information Officer in the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. He has focused on several areas, providing assistance to agencies involved in complex projects under development, implementing a project management methodology to improve oversight. He is leading implementation of a new model for IT in Maine state government, making the CIO the responsible IT manager for the Executive Branch.
In July 2005, Thompson commenced a major transformation of information technology (IT) in State Government. IT in the Executive Branch had previously been organized around independent State agencies but is now governed with an enterprise approach. This modernized enterprise structure will bring improved services to Maine citizens, enhanced security, cost effectiveness achieved through economy of scale, and provide for future support of service delivery under the rapidly evolving eGovernment model. The State’s most significant projects underway are the redevelopment of the State’s public safety radio network and the replacement of its Medicaid management information system. He has been appointed to several Boards in Maine, including the ConnectME authority to expand broadband and cellular communications to all citizens of Maine.
Thompson was formerly the Director of the State of Maine, Division of Purchases for twelve years. In 1998, and was awarded the “Public Administrator of the Year” award by the Maine Chapter of the ASPA. He has twice been named Manager of the Year by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.
Matt Dunlap, Secretary of State, State of Maine said, "In the modernization of the delivery of services, the arrival of Dick Thompson as Maine's CIO has been as grand a landmark as the development of a miraculous vaccine...things are just so much better now. We've gone from an antiquated mainframe system to a disjointed hodgepodge of unconnected islands in state government to what is now a seamless system of unified platforms designed to better serve the public. And while such a series of improvements inevitably has setbacks, hurdles, doubters and detractors, the fact that Dick has led Maine through this wilderness with such speed and good will is itself a testimony for why he so deserves not only of this award, but of the thanks of every Maine citizen."
NASCIO is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The primary state government members are senior officials who have executive level and statewide responsibility for information technology leadership. State officials who are involved in agency level information technology management may participate as state members. Representatives from other public sector and non-profit organizations may also participate as associate members. Private sector firms may join as corporate members and participate in the Corporate Leadership Council. For more information about NASCIO visit www.nascio.org.
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For more information, please Shawn Karrick, NASCIO Membership & Communications Coordinator, at (859) 514-9156 or skarrick@AMRms.com.
AMR Management Services provides NASCIO’s executive staff. For more information about AMR visit www.AMRms.com.
