On the Move: California’s Gov Tech Leadership Changes in 2020

Despite the challenges this year brought, one thing remained unchecked: State and local government information technology leaders continued to move on from gov tech or shift to new opportunities in new jurisdictions. In California state and local IT leadership, that included some well-known names. Here is a chronological recap of the changes that made headlines in 2020. (This report was excerpted from an article inGovernment Technology, Techwire’s sister publication, recapping IT leadership changes nationwide, with additional reporting by Techwire.)

January

Gov. Gavin Newsom named Joy Bonaguro and Krista Canellakis, both formerly of San Francisco IT, to be the state’s chief data officer and deputy secretary of general services for the California Government Operations Agency (GovOps), respectively. Julie Lee was also reappointed to her role as undersecretary with GovOps.

The head of the San Jose Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation since 2016, Chief Innovation Officer Shireen Santosham left city service for a local startup. She was replaced in July by Jordan Sun, who brings experience in both the military and tech startups. 

February

After three years with Santa Clara County, CIO Ann Dunkin moved to a role related to state and local government with Dell.  

San Francisco named Jason Lally as its permanent chief data officer. He’d filled the role in an acting capacity since Joy Bonaguro’s departure in September 2018. 

A founder of the San Jose Office of Civic Innovation and the city’s digital services lead, Michelle Thong left the city after six years to work for Nava Public Benefit Corp.    

April

Carlos Isaac Cabrera was named state geographic information officer (GIO) and manager of data and geospatial services. Cabrera, who had been GIO for Contra Costa County, also served as chair of the California GIS Council.  

May

The senior technology adviser to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Jeanne Holm, was named the city’s new chief data officer in May, having previously served as deputy CIO. In November, she was promoted to deputy mayor for budget and innovation. 

Silicon Valley entrepreneur Udaya Patnaik was named the first director of the California Office of Digital Innovation, part of the Government Operations Agency, after a year-long search. 

Dr. Scott Howland, a chief with the California Highway Patrol, retired after 30 years with the agency and six as CIO. Howland joined Fusus as public safety adviser. He was succeeded as the CHP’s CIO by Chief Chris Childs. 

June

Andrew Armani, considered the dean of state agency information officers, retired as AIO for two state agencies — GovOps and Business, Consumer Services and Housing. He and a partner opened a consultancy. 

September

Sacramento Chief Innovation Officer Louis Stewart departed city service after three years in the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Stewart joined Nvidiaas the head of strategic initiatives in the Developer Ecosystem.