Michael Reyna, project executive for the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal), will leave his post in mid-December.
Reyna, who has been with FI$Cal since January 2011, is leaving for family reasons that will require him to move out of state, he said today. The move comes at a transitional time in the FI$Cal Project, designed to create a uniform accounting and budgeting system for all state agencies.
"I was just getting to the fun part," Reyna said. "I’m a little sad about that."
The FI$Cal project, initially estimated to cost the state $1.6 billion, has gone through a lengthy procurement process in which project directors share detailed information with companies competing for a contract. The approach is designed to prevent faulty project estimates and cost overruns after a contract is signed.
Mike Reyna Photo: Fiscal.ca.gov
Reyna has advocated for the unique procurement process, suggesting that the state of California consider similar models for future projects. He said he has worked in various capacities to move the project forward in hopes that the state will use an integrated system to make better, more informed financial decisions.
"This is something that quite frankly in my own experience that is long overdue," he said. "I wish and believe that the state of California could have had a &hellip system like this 15 years ago."
The first 10 months with the FI$Cal project, Reyna worked as both project executive, a position he describes as the external face of the project, and project director, a job he said "makes sure the train is running on time." In October, Reyna encouraged the steering committee, which includes the State Controller, State Treasurer, Department of Finance, and Department of General Services, to hire a full time director. Tamara Armstrong, who had experience with the project, moved into the role.
The steering committee will now be tasked with finding a replacement for Reyna, who had a strong impact on the project’s current status, according to California Technology Agency Secretary Carlos Ramos, who serves on the committee.
"I think his absence and the loss of his presence will be felt on the project, but on the other hand we have a really solid team on the ground, so I think the project will continue to move forward," said Ramos.
Ramos said that ideally a new candidate would begin working in the position before Reyna leaves, allowing training time. However, holiday schedules might impact the time in which the steering committee can find a replacement. A candidate with knowledge of the project and experience with state government would be ideal, he said.
