New Army CIO picture coming into focus

The defense IT community has been rumbling with speculation about who will replace retired Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson as Army CIO since he stepped down Nov. 4, but while mum’s the official word, it’s looking increasingly likely that the successor has been chosen.

Inside sources – and signals – are pointing to Maj. Gen. Susan Lawrence as the clear front runner for the job.

An Army CIO/G-6 spokesperson has confirmed that Lawrence is working as special assistant to Gen. Peter Chiarelli, Army vice chief of staff – and that’s a solid (although unofficial and unconfirmed) indication that she has all but landed the Army CIO gig.

It’s not uncommon in the Beltway shuffle to hire a top prospect as a special assistant while awaiting the lengthy Senate confirmation process that’s required for Presidential appointments, which the Army CIO is.

In the interim, Mike Krieger, deputy Army CIO, is filling in.

It could end up being lengthy stints for Lawrence and Krieger in their temporary roles – sources say don’t expect any movement before the new Congress takes over in January.

However, one thing that won’t be holding up the confirmation is Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), who has released the hold on Pentagon nominations he said he’d execute until he got some more definitive answers about Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ plans to close Joint Forces Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Va.