Techwire: How did you come to this position?
Todd Coombes: I was originally from Northern California and had the opportunity to return when CEA offered the CIO position to me in 2013. I love the public mission of the organization and the opportunity to effectively leverage technology in support of that mission.
TW: What is your background in technology?
Coombes: My technology background includes everything from leading vendor startups to global leadership positions with large technology firms and performing the CIO role at publicly traded companies and insurance-related entities. I was also fortunate to have taught MBA courses for several years, leveraging my business experience and technical background to provide real-world, practical education for emerging leaders.
TW: What kind of technology does the CEA use that is specific to the mission?
Coombes: CEA has a combination of online and back-office systems that contribute to the overall mission of the organization. Our strategy is to support our internal and external stakeholders through those systems, with focus on portals, insurance-specific software tools, reporting and business intelligence, and process engineering.
TW: What general hopes or plans do you have for CEA?
Coombes: My hopes for CEA are that we achieve our mission through innovation and hard work, and that we do it in a way that helps keep premiums affordable for policyholders.
What advice do you have for vendors?
I tend to be very selective about vendor relationships and appreciate vendors that are transparent, responsive and affordable and that execute with quality, timeliness and predictability. Prospective vendors typically need to demonstrate, with more than just an email or a phone call, how their offerings add value to CEA and our stakeholders.
See the companion profile to this piece here.