The California Department of Technology (CDT) is set to gain several new senior IT officials.
Suzie Changus has been named state chief technology officer by Gov. Gavin Newsom. She has been serving as the chief information officer for the California Prison Industry Authority, a position she has held since 2018. The chief technology officer position has been vacant since the promotion of Liana Bailey-Crimmins to state CIO in June.
Changus holds a masters of business administration and management from California State University, Sacramento. The appointment will require Senate confirmation. Editor’s note: Changus spoke to Industry Insider — California in February 2021; find her One-on-One interview here.
Jonathan Porat has been named CDT’s chief technology innovation officer. Porat had previously been serving as information technology engagement manager for the city of Seattle since 2018.
He also served as a regulatory economist with the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy from 2013 to 2018 and holds a Master of Public Policy degree from George Washington University. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.
Edmond Cheung and Brenda Bridges-Cruz, meanwhile, have been appointed to the roles of deputy director of legislation and deputy director of special projects for CDT, respectively.
This story first appeared in Government Technology magazine, Industry Insider — California’s sister publication.
