Three state CIOs quit
<FONT SIZE=2>	The state chief information officers for Georgia, Iowa and Utah have left their posts.</FONT>
The state chief information officers for Georgia, Iowa and Utah have left their posts.
Georgia CIO Larry Singer resigned effective Dec. 9 and advised Republican Gov.-elect Sonny Perdue that he will not seek reappointment next year, the Georgia Technology Authority announced.
Singer had served as state CIO and executive director of the Georgia Technology Authority under Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes since July 2000. Singer said he will return to Public Interest Breakthroughs, a not-for-profit firm that provides consulting services to governments on the use of technology.
Iowa CIO Richard Varn and Gov. Tom Vilsack parted ways as the state IT budget suffered a 50 percent cut over the past two years. Varn said that the governor's priorities shifted away from IT and were focused on economic development, education and health care. Varn held the post for four years.
Utah CIO Phil Windley submitted his resignation effective Dec. 31 to Gov. Mike Leavitt, stating that he had become a political liability rather than an asset.
Windley's resignation follows criticism by state lawmakers and disgruntled state employees over the administration's hiring practices. A backlash arose against Windley when legislative auditors reported in September that Information Technology Services managers bypassed or manipulated state hiring practices to give jobs to nine of his former colleagues at the now-defunct company Excite@Home.
Georgia CIO Larry Singer resigned effective Dec. 9 and advised Republican Gov.-elect Sonny Perdue that he will not seek reappointment next year, the Georgia Technology Authority announced.
Singer had served as state CIO and executive director of the Georgia Technology Authority under Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes since July 2000. Singer said he will return to Public Interest Breakthroughs, a not-for-profit firm that provides consulting services to governments on the use of technology.
Iowa CIO Richard Varn and Gov. Tom Vilsack parted ways as the state IT budget suffered a 50 percent cut over the past two years. Varn said that the governor's priorities shifted away from IT and were focused on economic development, education and health care. Varn held the post for four years.
Utah CIO Phil Windley submitted his resignation effective Dec. 31 to Gov. Mike Leavitt, stating that he had become a political liability rather than an asset.
Windley's resignation follows criticism by state lawmakers and disgruntled state employees over the administration's hiring practices. A backlash arose against Windley when legislative auditors reported in September that Information Technology Services managers bypassed or manipulated state hiring practices to give jobs to nine of his former colleagues at the now-defunct company Excite@Home.
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