NASCIO Members Give Back During NASCIO 2023 Midyear Conference

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, May 16, 2023 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) donated over $35,900 to City Gate as part of the association’s Give Back program. City Gate is a Washington, DC-area nonprofit working to engage and empower at-risk youth and families impacted by poverty. Their STEAM-focused curriculum provides children with hands on learning, critical thinking skills and future career opportunities. NASCIO’s 2023 Midyear Conference was held in the DC area earlier this month.

Donations were collected during the NASCIO 2023 Midyear Conference and NASCIO state, corporate and nonprofit members donated through individual contributions. NASCIO corporate members Carahsoft Technology Corp., Esri, Kyndryl, Lenovo US, Lookout and Tyler Technologies sponsored this year’s Give Back Program and contributed to the donation total.

Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Technology Champion Award Honors Texas State Representative Giovanni Capriglione

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, May 2, 2023 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has awarded Texas State Representative Giovanni Capriglione with the association’s 2023 Technology Champion Award. Representative Capriglione was nominated by Amanda Crawford, Texas State CIO, who described him as, “an unmatched innovator whose contributions have advanced state government information technology across multiple fields.” Crawford also described Representative Capriglione as, “a tireless advocate for cybersecurity, legacy modernization, data management and the need to protect Texans’ privacy.”

Representative Capriglione has been the critical champion of state IT in the Texas House of Representatives since he was elected to the Texas House in 2012. He has worked to pass legislation to require cybersecurity training and incident reporting by state and local governments; pushed for and achieved increased funding for cybersecurity and legacy modernization (including spending increases for consolidation and optimization); created the Texas Cybersecurity Council; passed data management legislation; and increased focus on data privacy initiatives.

NASCIO created the Technology Champion Award in 2003 to recognize outstanding individual contributions to the field of information technology in the public sector. Recipients further NASCIO’s vision of a government in which the public is fully served through the efficient and effective use of technology policy.

Learn more about the NASCIO Technology Champion award and prior recipients at www.nascio.org/awards.

Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Issues Playbook on Enterprise Portfolio Management for States

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, April 25, 2023 —today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released a report titled Actively Managing the IT Investment Portfolio: A Playbook for State Government. The playbook is a culmination of months of research, interviews and webinars on the topic and highlights some of the leading state government work in creating and maturing a strategic enterprise-wide portfolio management (EPM) program. The playbook includes key recommendations for states to consider in their EPM journey which emphasize collaboration with other states, establishing clearly defined business requirements and strong organization among the enterprise portfolio management team.

However, the heart of the publication is the six essential plays for effective EPM, which are included in the report and also a companion, two-page easy reference document. The six plays are what states and territories should employ at the early stages of creating an enterprise portfolio management discipline and they are:

  • Play 1: Build a Compelling Business Case
  • Play 2: Make EPM an Established Office Within the Office of the State CIO
  • Play 3: Establish Governance for EPM
  • Play 4: Build a Collaborative Working Relationship With Agencies, Boards and Commissions
  • Play 5: Establish a Framework for EPM That Includes IT Investment Management
  • Play 6: Guidance on Capabilities, Disciplines and Tools That Support EPM


The publication and easy reference document can be found on NASCIO’s website: www.nascio.org.


Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Honors Louisiana CIO Richard “Dickie” Howze With 10 Year Service Award

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Louisiana CIO Richard “Dickie” Howze

Louisiana CIO Richard “Dickie” Howze with 10-Year Service Award

LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, April 4, 2023 — today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) recognizes Louisiana Chief Information Officer (CIO) Richard “Dickie” Howze with the association’s Decade of Leadership Award. Howze celebrates ten years as the CIO for the State of Louisiana this month and is one of only a handful of CIOs who have achieved this milestone.

NASCIO president and Tennessee CIO Stephanie Dedmon congratulated Howze saying, “Dickie’s leadership in the state of Louisiana can be seen in the state’s modernization and consolidation efforts and especially in their commitment to cybersecurity. He has also demonstrated his resilience by leading the CIO organization through the technology demands and impacts of major hurricanes and storm damage.”

As Louisiana CIO, Howze has overseen countless projects for in-scope state agencies, including implementation of online bidding for the Office of State Procurement; modernization and consolidation of state print and mail management; improvement of network security with enterprise-secure baseline migration; architecture of cutting-edge remote office and disaster recovery connectivity solution; implementation of LaGov Budget Development System as well as web content filtering for all in-scope agencies; and advancement of governmental transparency and accountability via the Louisiana Checkbook searchable website. Louisiana also has become the first state ever to implement a virtual remote-identity verification system for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applicants.

Before being appointed as state CIO, Howze served various other positions in Louisiana state government.


Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Issues Primer on State Use of Metaverse Technologies

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Wednesday, March 29, 2023—today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released Navigating the Metaverse: Potential Applications and Implications for State Government. The publication is a brief look at some early considerations for state government with respect to the metaverse and related technologies. The publication also includes current and prospective uses for metaverse technology as well as research and input from state government and private sector leaders in the subject.

Some considerations and cautions for states that are detailed in the publication include:

  • Determining the right business case
  • Creating a roadmap
  • Gathering relevant stakeholders
  • Ensuring security of metaverse technologies
  • Privacy implications
  • Safety of users including bias and discrimination
  • Accessibility
  • Legal implications
  • Ensuring skilled staff are in place


The publication can be found on NASCIO’s website: www.nascio.org. 

Contact
Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO and NGA Call for Strengthening Cybersecurity Workforce in State Government

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Wednesday, March 15, 2023—today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) National Governors Association (NGA) released the Securing States: Modernizing to Attract and Retain Cyber Talent. The publication is a culmination of a partnership between NASCIO and NGA, which started in 2022, to assist states in identifying the concrete actions they can take now to bridge the cybersecurity workforce gap. NASCIO and NGA convened Governors’ policy advisors, state information technology and cybersecurity leaders, workforce professionals and other experts to provide a forum for sharing experiences and best practices. This publication details the current state of play and summarizes the insights aggregated during this meeting, as well as previous related efforts by NASCIO and NGA to facilitate discussion on this topic.

“State cybersecurity workforce challenges have reached crisis levels in some states and is a major concern for all state CIOs,” said Stephanie Dedmon, NASCIO president and CIO for Tennessee. “NASCIO is glad to partner with NGA and other strategic partners to help address this critical issue.”

The publication includes several examples from states who are using creative methods to address the cybersecurity workforce challenge. The publication also includes specific recommendations for states to take now:

  • States need to focus on effective marketing and branding of state government as an employer of choice, their mission-driven work and the unique benefits they offer.
  • States must adapt to the enduring impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by modernizing the working environment to include flexible schedules, offering remote and work from home (WFH) options and focusing on addressing burnout and employees’ mental and emotional well-being.
  • States must focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in their recruitment, hiring and retention practices.
  • States need to collaborate with key tech and cybersecurity stakeholders, including the private sector, academia, nonprofit organizations, the federal government, minority-serving institutions and professional associations, to provide development opportunities and build workforce pipelines.
  • States should rework position descriptions to reflect industry-standard job titles and reduce barriers to entry, such as outdated or unnecessary requirements.

The publication can be found on NASCIO’s website: www.NASCIO.org.

NASCIO Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Releases 2023 Federal Advocacy Priorities: Calls for Strengthening the State Cyber Workforce

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LEXINGTON, Ky., January 11, 2023 — Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released its 2023 federal advocacy priorities. NASCIO’s advocacy priorities reflect the importance of collaboration between states and the federal government. The priorities are as follows:

  • Expanding and Strengthening the State Cyber Workforce
  •  Harmonize Disparate Federal Cybersecurity Regulations
  •  Ensure Responsible Implementation of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
  •  Continued Adoption of DotGov Domain is Essential

“The 2023 federal advocacy priorities reflect important issues for state CIOs,” said NASCIO President and Tennessee CIO Stephanie Dedmon. “We know that state cybersecurity workforce is a challenge and priority for all state CIOs and we look forward to working with the federal government on this important topic.”

The association’s federal advocacy priorities are selected by NASCIO’s executive committee and reflect policy priorities as indicated by association members in the State CIO Top Ten. The advocacy priorities can be found at www.NASCIO.org.

NASCIO Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

State CIOs Prioritize Recruiting and Retaining the Necessary Workforce to Deliver Modern Digital Services

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Monday, December 12, 2022—Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released the State CIO Top 10 for 2023. The Top 10 represents state technology leaders’ top policy and technology priorities for the coming year, as voted on by 51 state and territory chief information officers (CIOs), and has been published every year since 2007. Cybersecurity remains the top priority for the tenth year running while digital government is in the number two spot for the fourth year in a row. Additionally, workforce moved up to number three, up from seventh place in 2022.

“State CIOs continue to face increasing challenges with IT workforce, especially in the area of cybersecurity,” said Doug Robinson, NASCIO executive director. “It is no surprise that workforce jumped to a much higher position this year as CIOs continue to struggle to recruit and retain a qualified workforce.”

Other items of note from the 2023 Top 10 are:

  • Legacy modernization and identity and access management both moved up in the ranking
  • Cloud had been in the top three since 2013 but this year drops to number six
  • Broadband moved to number nine from number three last year

NASCIO utilizes the annual voting of priorities to develop strategic areas of focus for the coming year, formulate new issue forums and working groups and plan NASCIO conference sessions and publications.

The Top 10 can be found on NASCIO’s website, www.NASCIO.org.

NASCIO Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Members Give Back During NASCIO 2022 Annual Conference

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, November 1, 2022 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) donated over $35,000 to AMPED Technology Workforce Training Program as part of the association’s Give Back program. AMPED provides skills training to prepare Louisville residents for a career in IT. Priority admission is extended to individuals that live in underserved zip codes and meet specified income levels. NASCIO’s 2022 Annual Conference was held in Louisville this past October.

NASCIO President Stephanie Dedmon, Chief Information Officer for the State of Tennessee, commented, “NASCIO is honored to support AMPED’s mission, especially targeting underserved communities to prepare for a career in IT. Programs like these are critical to positively impact our future IT workforce.”

Dave Christopher, Sr., AMPED Executive Director, said, “This is an absolutely incredible donation! AMPED is so thankful for the support of NASCIO members and the team.”

Donations were collected during the NASCIO 2022 Annual Conference and NASCIO state, corporate and nonprofit members donated through individual contributions. NASCIO corporate members Automation Anywhere, Carahsoft Technology Corp., Hyland, Resultant and SecurityStudio sponsored this year’s Give Back Program and contributed to the donation total.

To learn more about AMPED, visit www.ampedlouisville.org.

NASCIO Contact
Emily Lane
Program and Brand Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9167
[email protected]

NASCIO Announces Association Leadership for Coming Year

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, October 18, 2022 —The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) announced the association’s executive leadership for the new program year. Stephanie Dedmon, Chief Information Officer for the State of Tennessee, will be president; James Weaver, Secretary of Technology and Chief Information Officer for the State of North Carolina, will be vice president; and Amanda Crawford, Executive Director and Chief Information Officer for the State of Texas, will be secretary/treasurer. Additionally, Alan Fuller, Chief Information Officer for the State of Utah; Jennifer Ricker, Secretary and State Chief Information Officer for the State of Illinois; and Bill Vajda, Chief Information Officer for the State of Wyoming, will be joining NASCIO’s Executive Committee as new directors.

Stuart Davis, Vice President, Consulting Expert with CGI Technologies and Solutions, will be NASCIO’s Corporate Leadership Council (CLC) chair and Paul Baltzell, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development with Salesforce, will be CLC vice chair. CLC members promote information sharing among public and private sector members, providing expertise to NASCIO on issue focus areas and supporting projects. The CLC chair and vice chair hold advisory, non-voting seats on NASCIO’s Executive Committee.

NASCIO’s 2022-23 Executive Committee leaders are:

President
Stephanie Dedmon, CIO, State of Tennessee

Vice-President
James Weaver, Secretary of Technology and CIO, State of North Carolina

Secretary/Treasurer
Amanda Crawford, Executive Director and CIO, State of Texas

Past President
Michael Leahy, Secretary of Information Technology, State of Maryland

Executive Committee Directors:
Fred Brittain, CIO, State of Maine
Alan Fuller, CIO, State of Utah
John MacMillan, Deputy Secretary for Information Technology and CIO, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Jennifer Ricker, Secretary and State CIO, State of Illinois
J.R. Sloan, CIO, State of Arizona
Josh Spence, CIO, State of West Virginia
Bill Vajda, CIO, State of Wyoming
Greg Zickau, CIO, State of Idaho

Stuart Davis, ex officio
Paul Baltzell, ex officio

NASCIO Contact

Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]