California CIO Teri Takai Named U.S. Defense Department IT Chief
Mar 29, 2010, By Matt Williams, Associate Editor
California CIO Teri Takai, one of the highest-profile leaders in state and local government IT, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to become CIO of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), according to a White House statementMonday, March 29.
Takai's expertise on IT consolidations -- she led statewide efforts in California and Michigan -- appears to be a good fit for her new role at the DoD, which has several consolidation initiatives planned, including the deployment of a single e-mail system and network for the U.S. Army. Takai's official title at the Defense Department will be Assistant Secretary for Networks and Information Integration.
Over the past few months, Takai's future plans had become an open question. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in his final year in office because of term limits. Takai, serving as a gubernatorial appointee, could've been replaced in early 2011 by a new administration.
Steve Fletcher, the CIO of Utah and president of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, applauded
