New York names new CIO, technology director

New York Gov. George Pataki (R) filled two key IT leadership posts in the state this week, naming Meg Levine as director for the Office for Technology, and Michael Mittleman as chief information officer.

Mittleman, who will earn a salary of $145,000, will be responsible for implementing the state's technology strategic plan, creating IT policies and standards and coordinating development and deployment of IT resources.

Mittleman is also charged with developing strategies to improve how the state's workforce uses IT and to facilitate information sharing among federal, state and local governments and institutions of higher learning to improve delivery of services.

Having joined the CIO's office as deputy CIO in 2002, Mittleman chaired the New York State CIO Council and collaborated with the state's executive branch agencies to develop an enterprise IT vision.

Levine, formerly the acting director, executive deputy director and chief administrative officer for the Office of Technology, will lead the agency as it provides centralized technology services, shapes technology policy and coordinates statewide technology-related initiatives. Levine will earn a salary of $142,317.

As director, Levine will be responsible for the state's data centers, networks and telecommunications systems. The office is also accountable for providing technical support to most of the state's mission-critical services.

Among the state's other initiatives is a move to use emerging technologies to improve services, efficiencies, integration, cost effectiveness and accessibility to the public.

Both nominations require state Senate confirmation.