California's chief information officer, Teri Takai, has resigned from state government's top tech job effective Nov. 5. Chief Deputy Director Christy Quinlan will taking over as acting CIO.
In an e-mail to department staff sent this afternoon, Takai confirmed that she is leaving to take a job in President Barack Obama's administration. The job had been on hold for several months, as we reported here.
Takai's resignation comes a week after her deputy CIO, Mike Locatis, took the top CIO post with the federal Department of Energy.
Here's Takai's e-mail:
From: Takai, Teri@CIO
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 1:03 PM
To: CIO All
Subject: Thank YouDear Friends and Colleagues,
I have accepted a position in the Obama Administration as the Chief Information Officer for the U.S. Department of Defense, and my last day of service in California will be November 5, 2010. Chief Deputy Director Christy Quinlan will be Acting Chief Information Officer during the transition.
It has been a tremendous honor to serve as Governor Schwarzenegger's chief technology advisor and State Chief Information Officer, especially during a critical time of change for California's IT program. When I arrived in Sacramento nearly three years ago, the Office of the State Chief Information Officer (OCIO) had just been created in statute. We set out to implement the Governor's agenda to transform and modernize California's aging technology infrastructure. Starting next year, the California Technology Agency will move forward as envisioned by the Legislature and Governor as technology continues to play a vital role in delivering services to our constituents.
Although there is still a lot to be done, so much has been accomplished thanks to the hard work, vision and support of Governor Schwarzenegger, Susan Kennedy, cabinet members, legislative leaders and IT professionals throughout the state.
I especially want to thank the agency and department CIOs for their leadership and many contributions to our community. On behalf of the OCIO, we appreciate the support, interaction and time spent to dive with us into the details of policies and projects.
Most of all, I want to thank the OCIO Team, including the Program Management Office, IT Policy Office, Office of Information Security, Public Safety Communications Division, Office of Technology Services, Enterprise Solutions and Services Unit and Executive Office for working so hard to serve the people of this state. Whether working nights and weekends to move a data center with no interruption of service, building high-profile websites or designing the next generation of emergency radio systems, the talent and dedication of our Team is unparalleled. With the budget crisis, organizational changes and so many challenges to overcome, you have done such an incredible job, and with a great attitude and true spirit of public service. I will miss working with you all - keep up the terrific work!
I will cherish my time spent here in California and look forward to serving the public in my new position.
Teri Takai
State Chief Information Officer
PHOTO CREDIT: Teri Takai / www.cio.ca.gov/
The Author
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