Balutis Tapped to Lead Government, Industry Group

Alan Balutis has been named executive director and chief operating officer of the Federation of Government Information Processing Councils and its Industry Advisory Council. He starts his new position in February.Balutis comes to the post from his previous position as director of the Advanced Technology Program at the Department of Commerce.Balutis worked for the federal government for 25 years, including stints at the then Department of Health, Education and Welfare and as assistant chief information officer at Commerce."Alan brings a whole new dimension to FGIPC/IAC leadership. He not only understands and supports our mission, but he also fully understands the technology and the environment we work within," said James Buckner, president of FGIPC. The organization provides education and training to both government and industry officials about procurement and technology trends, and helps open lines of communications among government and industry information technology professionals. "His IT expertise, along with his close working relationship with many government and industry personnel, will allow us to further expand and improve the organization's scope and effectiveness," Buckner said.Balutis will be the first person to serve as executive director of both FGIPC and its industry arm, IAC. "Alan has a unique perspective on government and industry in the IT field and will be an asset to the organization. While FGIPC and IAC have always been one organization, Alan's appointment as the executive director and COO will bring the two organizations closer together allowing us to work more in unison and achieve our common goals," said Bob Lohfeld, chairman of IAC.