CALIFORNIA PUBLIC-SECTOR CIO OF THE YEAR AWARD
MARCIE KAHBODY, Chief Information Officer, California Department of Transportation
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Kahbody's leadership in innovation, security and efficiency has set new standards for government IT, making her a deserving recipient of the California Chief Information Officer of the Year award.
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC-SECTOR CTO OF THE YEAR AWARD
ASHISH JAIN, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS)
IT LEADERSHIP AWARDS
ALISON GABRIEL, Legacy Integration Lead, California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
BRADLEY GRIFFIN, IT Specialist III, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
CARL CARTER, Chief Enterprise Architect, California Public Employees' Retirement System
CHITRA CHITTURI, DxP Assistant Project Director - Modernization Technical Section Manager, California Department of Motor Vehicles
CORRINE HOUSLEY, Senior IT Project Manager, California Department of Human Resources
CRAIG EASTMAN, IT Specialist II, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
DAVID MATTEOLI, Information Technology Specialist II, California Public Employees' Retirement System
DYLAN KOJIMOTO, Solutions Engineer, California Department of Toxic Substances Control
EARNEST PAUL, Chief of Business Application Services Office, Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal)
ED LEE Sr., Project Manager, Information Technology Specialist II, Information Technology Services Division, Project Management Office, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
FELIX HO, Application Developer, California Department of Human Resources
HAI NGUYEN, Manager, Middle Tier Services (Information Technology Manager I), California Public Employees' Retirement System
IAN ROSE, Principal Data Engineer (ITS-III), California Office of Data and Innovation
IAN SANFORD, Technology Integration Services Branch Chief, California Department of Public Health
JAMAL HASSAN, Information Technology Manager I, California Employment Development Department
JENNIFER CATHCART, Manager - Security Engineering, Covered California
JEREMY GREEVER, Chief of FI$Cal Service Center, FI$Cal
JOHN HARTZELL, Security Architect, California Department of Rehabilitation
JOHN SANBORN, Chief Learning Officer, California Department of Human Resources
JONATHAN MORTENSEN, IT Manager I, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
JOSEPH LIBBON, Information Security Operations Engineer, California Department of Toxic Substances Control
KATIE REGAN, Data Services Manager, California Department of Technology (CDT)
KIM JENKINS, District IT Operations Chief, California Department of Transportation
MARK BOYKO, Principal Business Intelligence Data Engineer, California Employment Development Department
MICHAEL LESZCZYNSKI, Senior Systems Architect (EDDNext), California Employment Development Department
NEWTON KWAN, IT Supervisor II, Enterprise Applications Support Section/Application Development and Support Division, California Department of Transportation
NICKI RUSZCZYCKY, Systems Development and Support Branch Chief, California Air Resources Board
PHELAN SULLIVAN, Lead Network Engineer, California Employment Development Department
PRESTON CLEARY, Workstation Management Lead, Covered California
RAJ MUDIGONDA, Branch Chief, Project Oversight and Strategic Technology Branch, California Department of Social Services
RAJIVE DSOUZA, IT Manager I, Enterprise Applications Support Section/Application Development and Support Division, California Department of Transportation
ROBERT SILVEY, Deputy CIO, California Department of Child Support Services
ROBIN ROOT Sr., Project Manager, IT Specialist II, Information Technology Services Division, Project Management Office, California Department of Food and Agriculture
SARA COPPENGER, IT Manager I, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
SARBJIT BRAR, Information Technology Manager I, California Department of Motor Vehicles
SHERA MUI, Deputy Director of Platform Services, California Department of Technology
SHERRI WINFREE, TGS Chief, IT Supervisor II, Information Technology Services Division, Technology Governance Section, California Department of Food and Agriculture
SRIDHAR ARJULA, Chief of IT Solutions Delivery, California High-Speed Rail Authority
TED RYAN, IT Consulting Unit Oversight Manager, California Department of Finance
THEA MAN, Information Security Officer, California Office of Data and Innovation
WILLIAM CHAN, DBA Manager, ITM I, California Department of Motor Vehicles
YESENIA APARICIO, Product Manager, California Office of Data and Innovation
YING WANG, Development Manager, Application Development and Maintenance Bureau, Information Technology Division, California Department of Insurance
CALIFORNIA IT LEADERSHIP TEAM LEADERSHIP AWARDS
ACCOUNTING AND COMPLIANCE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION TEAM
California Employment Development Department
Recognized for its exceptional efforts in migrating the Accounting and Compliance Enterprise System from a single data center to a multi-zoned cloud infrastructure, ensuring business continuity, disaster recovery and future scalability. Processing millions of transactions daily, this migration was one of the most complex cloud transformations in the state.
ADSD BI-MODAL TEAM
California Department of Transportation
Recognized for its outstanding contributions to key transformational initiatives on the Salesforce platform. The team successfully took over the maintenance and operations of the Online Acquisitions Tracking System, assumed responsibility for the Legal Case Management System, and most significantly, upgrading the Director’s Office Tracking System, reducing annual costs by $81,000.
CALSTRS INNOVATION AI TEAM
California State Teachers’ Retirement System
Recognized for playing a pivotal role in advancing generative AI within CalSTRS. Their work has positioned CalSTRS as a leader in responsible AI implementation, collaborating with the California Government Operations Agency, the state CIO, CDT, industry leaders, and policymakers to establish frameworks for AI regulation and risk mitigation while consistently identifying ways to integrate AI into business operations.
COVERED CALIFORNIA WEB APPLICATIONS – SECURE GenAI PORTAL TEAM
Covered California, California Health Benefit Exchange
Recognized for creating a secure, private and Covered California-branded generative AI portal for employees that is a compliant, structured environment that allowed staff to safely explore AI-driven solutions. It empowered employees to leverage AI for research, email drafting, and problem solving while protecting sensitive data and leading to widespread adoption.
CALCAREERS/ECOS TEAM
California Department of Human Resources
Recognized for making significant strides in modernizing the state’s hiring systems and advancing hiring equity. Managing California’s Recruitment, Exams and Certifications portal, the team led efforts to enhance the Examination and Certification Online System (ECOS) to support anonymous hiring. They migrated applications to the cloud and retired the last active mainframe system.
EBT CARD SECURITY MODERNIZATION PROJECT TEAM
California Health and Human Services Agency Office of Technology and Solutions Integration and California Department of Social Services
Recognized for the groundbreaking initiative that introduced the nation’s first SNAP EBT chip/EMV and tap card. They launched a new technical infrastructure covering 33,000 EBT retailers and 45,000 ATMs, redefining EBT electronic benefit delivery with enhanced security features and ensuring compatibility with industry card readers.
CALRECYCLE INTEGRATED INFORMATION SYSTEM CORE TEAM
CalRecycle
Recognized for leading the development of the CalRecycle Integrated Information System, which serves as a unified system of record, consolidating 30 separate waste and recycling management systems. Aligning with Envision 2026 goals, they managed statewide solicitations and contract awards, advancing the project into development 10 months ahead of schedule.
CALTRANS ENTERPRISE DATA WAREHOUSE
California Department of Transportation
Recognized for its leadership and innovation in developing a modern data infrastructure by implementing a repeatable framework for data modeling and ETL processes, integrating data into a centralized visualization platform. Overcoming challenges in building a greenfield enterprise data warehouse, they navigated complexities and continue to refine and optimize the system.
FIRE RECOVERY WEBSITE TEAM (COLLABORATIVE TEAM)
Office of Data and Innovation and California Department of Technology
This cross-agency team is recognized for launching a fire recovery website to provide critical support to survivors, displaced individuals, and business owners who were victims of the L.A. fires. Creating a seamless, survivor-centered platform for essential services, lost documents, food and financial assistance, they implemented over 50 enhancements in the first four weeks and remain a vital recovery resource.
THE COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH (CAD) SUPPORT TEAM
California Highway Patrol (CHP)
Recognized for their mission-critical role in ensuring the continuous operation of CHP’s 24/7 dispatch system, maintaining over 530 CAD workstations to facilitate real-time communication and emergency response. They successfully delivered major system and application upgrades, transitioning out of legacy versions to a fully supported modern system.
CALSTRS BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AND DATA WAREHOUSE TEAM
California State Teachers' Retirement System
Recognized for successfully developing a scalable, centralized and highly efficient cloud-based enterprise data platform. Using machine learning to create predictive analytics to automate forecasting and generate accurate projections up to three years in the future, anticipating claim trends, workforce needs, and allocating budgets more effectively.
DXP OL PROJECT TEAM
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Recognized for leading the digital transformation in how the DMV delivers occupational licensing services by replacing the paper-based system and integrating online self-service portals, automation, cloud-based CRM, AI assistance, and a mobile app for field inspections. The platform has shifted 92 percent of transactions online, eliminating long wait times and reducing paperwork.
EDS BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE TEAM
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Recognized for implementing several initiatives to enhance efficiency, decision-making and compliance monitoring, including the Restricted Housing Units (RHU) project limiting RHU usage to critical safety situations, the Body-Worn Camera Dashboard for tracking camera compliance, and Yard Programming Hours tool for real-time insights into yard activity.
OFFICE OF THE INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER - LEADERSHIP TEAM
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Recognized for successfully implementing a revamped risk management program that established a statewide security coordination framework that spans over 35 different areas. The team took on new responsibilities in litigation and public records coordination for EIS and managed a security incident report volume increase of over 300 percent.
FI$CAL ONBOARDING TEAM AND CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS FROM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND SOLUTIONS DIVISIONS
California Department of FI$Cal
Recognized for successfully integrating 150 state departments into the FI$Cal system over the past 12 years, modernizing California’s financial management processes. Most recently, in July 2024, they led the onboarding of the California Department of Technology and the California Department of Rehabilitation, two highly complex, cross-agency transitions.
GenAI SANDBOXES, CDT
California Department of Technology
Recognized for being a leader in generative AI adoption for government, creating secure, controlled environments where state agencies can test and evaluate AI solutions before deployment. The team has successfully tested 10 GenAI proofs of concept to explore automation, executed with zero downtime, under budget, while maintaining strict security protocols.
GOVERNANCE RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE TEAM
California Department of Transportation
Recognized for outstanding leadership in establishing the GenAI Risk Assessment process, ensuring that all IT and non-IT procurements involving generative AI comply with statewide policies and security standards. Their efforts, in response to the governor’s executive order and the GenAI Toolkit, have positioned Caltrans at the forefront of responsible AI governance.
SERVICE CENTER RECOVERY TEAM
Covered California
Recognized for exceptional commitment and technical expertise during an emergency outage in early 2024, they ensured continued access during the final days of the open-enrollment period. In a single weekend, the team launched a minimum viable product contact center, preventing service disruptions and maintaining customer support at a pivotal time.
NETWORK AND SERVER INFRASTRUCTURE TEAMS
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Recognized for a complete network overhaul at the May Lee State Office Complex, ensuring reliable connectivity for over 2,000 team members and transitioning all server and storage infrastructure to the public cloud. The team deployed a new Wi-Fi system for faster, more accessible connectivity and the establishment of a cost-effective disaster recovery site.
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IT TEAM
Department of Industrial Relations
Recognized for launching a state-of-the-art Public Works Data Platform for real-time project tracking, automated compliance reporting and enhanced data transparency; migrating the Workers’ Compensation Information System to the cloud; and developing an analytics platform for the Labor Commission. The team transferred 83 terabytes of data with minimal downtime and zero data loss.
THE TIME AND PAY UNIT
California Highway Patrol
Recognized for successfully leading multiple initiatives to reduce manual processes and improve system functionality, including a Volume Transfer system, employee separation process automation, automated timesheets, data sharing and compliance enhancements that automate DOJ and RIPA reports, and the Vehicle Accident Reporting System.
CROS LEADERSHIP TEAM
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Recognized for implementing legislative mandates on hazardous waste generation, Firearm and Ammunition Excise Tax, Prop 19 Home Protection Act, and the Flavored Tobacco Seizure Authority as well as critical system enhancements like improving 1099 reporting, automating small-business write-offs, and transitioning to multifactor authentication for security.
AFS AND ORACLE CLOUD MIGRATION TEAM
Department of Motor Vehicles
Recognized for successfully transitioning DMV’s mission-critical systems to a secure, scalable cloud environment, improving performance, reducing costs and enhancing business continuity. Their cloud-first strategy leveraged automation and security for a seamless migration, reducing transaction times and ensuring 24/7 service availability.
PRODUCE SAFETY PROGRAM - PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION TEAM
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Recognized for building a groundbreaking farm and inspections data repository in 2024, it marks a major advancement in food safety oversight improving transparency, communication and efficiency. Aligned with the CDFA Technology Roadmap, this low to no code SaaS solution modernizes the Produce Safety Program and was completed on time, in scope and within budget.
TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE SECTION - CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT TEAM
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Recognized for the successful transition of the "RePlan" contract, an online application tool that integrates environmental, social and economic data to support sustainable regional planning and resource management. With the interagency agreement set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024, the team worked under time and resource constraints to ensure a smooth transition before the deadline.
THE CA.GOV REVAMP TEAM
California Department of Technology
Recognized for a transformational redesign of California’s official website, enhancing accessibility, usability and public service delivery for millions of Californians. Launched in October, the new platform meets the latest standards of usability and accessibility, enhanced speed and reliability, and eliminated bureaucratic barriers with user-centric design.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE E-DETERMINATIONS PROJECT TEAM
California Employment Development Department
Recognized for modernizing California’s Unemployment Insurance determination process into a streamlined, automated online platform E-DETS, which has processed over 108,000 cases with 69 percent responding electronically. It has completed over 70,000 determinations, reducing paper and phone interactions, leading to faster processing times for claimants.
*Government Technology is a sister publication to Industry Insider — California. Both are part of e.Republic.
This article was updated to correct the name of the Office of Data and Innovation.
