Former senior Ridge adviser on IT now leads ITAA Homeland Security Task Group

Jim Flyzik, former senior adviser to homeland security director Tom Ridge, was named chairman of the Homeland Security Task Group of the Information Technology Association of America, officials of the Arlington, Va., organization announced today.

"Jim Flyzik's leadership will enhance our activities and our ability to serve the government and protect U.S. citizens through leading-edge technology solutions," said Harris Miller, president of ITAA, a trade group representing more than 400 U.S. corporate members.

Flyzik retired from government Dec. 17, after 28 years of service. Flyzik served as vice chairman of the Federal CIO Council from 1998 through 2002, overseeing various IT projects for the federal government. He is now a partner at the consulting firm Guerra, Kiviat & Flyzik.

"During my twenty-plus years in government as an IT advocate, I frequently looked to my partners in industry through ITAA for guidance, support and new ideas on how to get the job done. Now, it's my turn to help from the outside," Flyzik said of his ITAA appointment.

The task group "will be critically important as the new Department of Homeland Security becomes operational this year," he added.

The Homeland Security Task Group was founded in 2001 by Jerry Agee, vice president, Ballistic Missile Defense for TRW, now part of Northrop Grumman Corp. Two vice chairmen serve on the task group with Flyzik: Guy Copeland, vice president of Information Infrastructure Advisory Programs for Computer Sciences Corp., and Chris Oglesby, client sales executive for the Federal Government practice of Electronic Data Systems Corp. The group has worked on priorities such as risk sharing and security clearance requirements for homeland security contractors.