Taking the Reins: Mark Badger

Public sector Internet business development manager for Cisco Systems Inc., San Jose, Calif., responsible for the development and implementation of Internet and networked solutions within the state and local government sector. March 10 47El Paso, Texas. San Jose, Calif. Wife Marcia Nye, an educator. Three daughters, ages 17, 16 and 10."Corporate Universities: Lessons in Building a World-Class Work Force," by Jeanne Meister. Skiing. Badger pursued the sport during the various times he lived in Alaska, his favorite state. "It's the land of exaggeration. When it's dark, it's really dark, and when it's cold, it's really cold."Ph.D. from Cambridge University's faculty of earth sciences and geography.Before joining Cisco, Badger spent five years as chief technology officer and chief information officer for the state of Alaska. He established the state's No. 2 ranking in the United States for online e-commerce services and was responsible for implementing numerous e-government projects that streamlined the delivery of high-volume government services to Alaska citizenry, including online motor vehicle re-registration, business license applications and state employment application services. He also worked for the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, establishing distance education in rural Alaska, and produced educational material for the university's learning network."Things in the Internet world have a direct application in government. My experience moving government to a more Internet world helps me understand what it takes to do it. I have first-hand experience moving a state government toward new ideas. It's not that easy, and some think it's impossible. I'm trying to offer the Cisco's Internet business solutions group the knowledge that I know the real issues and feel the pain. Cisco has the ability to help tailor the applications for the public sector. "The bottom line is the country is looking for ways to bridge the digital divide. We want the government to provide those services. It's hard to keep up with, but Cisco is looking at applications that will run on the network and make lives better."