FEMA's Miller joins Homeland Security planning team

Ron Miller, chief information officer of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, started work Aug. 15 at his new job as part of the Transition Planning Office for the proposed Homeland Security Department. Miller said he will remain with the planning office for an indefinite period of time. "I don't know yet what my specific role will be, but my involvement is extensive enough that it requires me to divest myself of my other duties," Miller said. Steve Cooper, CIO of the Homeland Security Office, is assembling a team of five or six people to lead this effort, Miller said. Rose Parkes takes over as FEMA's acting CIO and assistant director for the Information Technology Services Directorate. She also assumes Miller's duties on FEMA's e-government initiatives Project Safecom and Disasterhelp.gov.