EDS State, Local Unit Targets Homeland Security

The new state and local government executive at Electronic Data Systems Corp. said the company is gearing up to help state and local governments with homeland security.

Anne Reed, who was named EDS vice president for state and local business Nov. 26, said state governments are turning their attention to homeland security and want to work with companies "that will be with them for the long haul."

Homeland security is "on the minds of citizens, it's on the minds of governors, it's on the minds of mayors," Reed said. "It's an area that we have a lot to offer, and it will certainly be in the forefront of our attention as well."

Reed said the company's extensive experience with health and human services and public safety programs, as well as its electronic government and enterprise solutions, make it a reliable and worthwhile partner for governments heavily preoccupied with homeland security.

Reed will report to Al Edmonds, EDS president of federal government information solutions.

Reed, who joined EDS in 2000, previously served as managing director in EDS' government global industry group. Before joining Plano, Texas-based EDS, she was chief information officer from 1996 to 1999 for the Department of Agriculture.

At the Department of Agriculture, Reed led the groundwork for electronic government, strengthened the department's telecommunications capacity and focused her energies on information assurance, computer security and protection of privacy, EDS said.

Reed also was chosen by President Clinton to serve on his Year 2000 Council. For her work on the council, Reed received the Hammer Award from Vice President Gore. The Hammer Award recognized government employees or teams that demonstrate leadership and innovation in service to the public.

Reed's other government experience includes 12 years in financial management with the Navy, and two years working in city planning in Nashville, Tenn.

Reed's background in information technology, combined with her 20 years of government experience, "make her a logical choice to lead EDS' growing state and local government business," Edmonds said.