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Reflections of a Longtime Member

John Gillispie departed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Information Technology Enterprise of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. He was with the State of Iowa for over 7 years. During his volunteer services with NASCIO, John held all three officer positions on the Executive Committee. As President in 2007-2008, John had many accomplishments including the creation of the Director of Government Affairs position, the DC office, release of the AT Risk cyber video and the conception of the Green IT Video.

John is now serving as the Executive Director for the Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet) at the University of Missouri. MOREnet is one of the nation's first and largest statewide research and education networks that link nearly 800 Missouri K-12 schools, public libraries, higher education institutions, telehealth sites and state agencies across a private integrated network.

Before his departure, NASCIO Connections interviewed John about his experiences:

What will you miss most about NASCIO?

The opportunity to work with the State CIOs on joint technology issues facing the nation, and the camaraderie that formed among us as we faced similar challenges in our states. NASCIO facilitated many discussions among the participants, both public and private members that added value to both sides. I will miss those discussions.

What is your most memorable moment over the past years with the State of Iowa?

From an IT perspective, the day that the Governor issued the executive order that would begin combining IT. It was something I had worked for almost 7 years at that point and was a huge step. From an ICN viewpoint, the day that the Legislature passed the funding bill creating matching funds for the federal programs that we now know as BTOP and BIP was a huge step forward for stimulating private sector activity in the broadband marketplace.

Please tell us more about your new role with the University of Missouri?

My new position as Executive Director of MOREnet is within the University of Missouri system offices. I report to the CIO for the UM system, Gary K. Allen who also is the CIO for the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. Gary reports to the President, Gary D. Forsee. I have been on the job just a few days and am just getting introduced to everyone. MOREnet links Missouri to a world of knowledge through a statewide research and education network. Schools, public libraries, academic institutions and state agencies linked to the network have access to a secure broadband Internet connection, staff training, technical support and electronic resources, making equitable access possible across Missouri.

Lorrie Tritch is serving as Interim COO for Iowa until a nationwide search is completed and a permanent COO is named.

Innovative and Efficient use of Technology in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) inspects more than 21,000 bridges, culverts, pipes and overhead signs every two years. The process of inspecting the bridges and reporting was time consuming and inaccurate. NCDOT implemented the first, completely inclusive bridge inspection system in the United States. The new tablet PC-based mobile inspection system increased efficiency and accuracy of the process. The application, WIGINS (Wearable Inspection Grading Information Network System) automated the inspection process by providing one point data entry.

The success of the project has allowed NCDOT to remain in compliance with federal regulations as well as provide an innovative use of technology to repair bridges in a timely manner, before a major problem occurs. "This unique program helps us do a better job keeping North Carolina drivers safer. We are proud of our staff and the innovative thinking they used to create the nation's only all-inclusive bridge maintenance management system," Eugene A. Conti, Jr., North Carolina Secretary of Transportation. With approximately 150 new bridges being added each year and the aging of the current infrastructure, the automation provided by the WIGINS application will become even more critical in years to come.

The WIGINS application was a 2009 NASCIO Recognition Award recipient in the category of Information Communications Technology (ICT) Innovations. This award category covers initiatives or services to promote economic development, interoperability and improve quality of life. Click here to learn more about the WIGINS application.

Chart a Course for Success at the Midyear Conference

Sponsorships for the 2010 Midyear Conference are NOW OPEN! The conference will be held April 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency in Baltimore, Maryland. Click here to secure your sponsorship. Don't miss the boat!

A new sponsor benefit for 2010! Sponsors not only get a chance to submit educational items to the Virtual Resource Center, but those materials will also be added to a thumb drive that will be handed out to each state CIO at the conference. This addition to the conference contributed to our members green efforts and the state members will appreciate the quick access to the thought-leadership pieces. The Midyear Conference Virtual Resource Center will open on Monday, March 1.

Registration for the conference will be open on Monday, February 1. Early Bird rates will be in effect through Wednesday, March 17. Visit the conference website for more details.

Call for Authors

NASCIO is collaborating with the Public Technology Institute (PTI) to publish the book CIO Leadership for States: Emerging Trends and Practices that will showcase the contemporary aspects of state CIO leadership. The concept for this book is based on the highly successful CIO Leadership for Cities and Counties - Emerging Trends and Practices - see www.pti.org/cio. We are now seeking experts in the 13 fields we have identified. We define experts liberally, as those with a track record studying or engaged in all aspects of state CIO leadership. Candidate authors would include practitioners (current and retired), educators and corporate-level practitioners, as well as policymakers and researchers involved in this area. For more details and process outline, visit www.pti.org/index.php/ptiee1/more/582/.

NASCIO Welcomes New Team Member

Chad Grant will join NASCIO as a Policy Analyst starting February 1. Chad comes to us from the US House Representatives. He is a legislative analyst and his portfolio of legislative issues includes commerce trade, consumer protections and public health. Chad has a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University.

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