Former State CIO Bailey-Crimmins to Lead Covered California IT

Liana Bailey-Crimmins, the former state CIO and director of the California Department of Technology, has reportedly been tapped to lead the IT operations for the state’s insurance marketplace, Covered California.

She replaces former CIO Kevin Cornish, who moved into a special consulting role with the department while a search for his permanent replacement was underway. His last official day as CIO for the organization was June 1.

Bailey-Crimmins, recently recognized as a Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers* recipient and longtime state IT professional, announced her retirement from CDT in March after 38 years in state government. State CIO and CDT Director Chris Given was tapped as her replacement.

Shortly after her announcement, Bailey-Crimmins joined the Center for Digital Government** as a senior fellow.

Bailey-Crimmins’ resume is made up of 38 years of public-sector experience. In 2003, she joined the California Youth Authority as a data processing manager. She would later join the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2005, before moving to leadership roles within California Prison Health Care Services.

In 2013, she joined the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), where she would serve as CIO, chief health director and finally as its chief information security officer. In June 2022, she was tapped to lead CDT and serve as state CIO after serving as the department’s chief technology officer for more than a year.

During her tenure, Bailey-Crimmins was an advocate for the state’s Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative and supported efforts to build digital resources in the aftermath of the deadly Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025.

*The Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers awards are given by Government Technology, Industry Insider — California’s sister publication.

**The Center for Digital Government is part of e.Republic, Industry Insider — California’s parent company.