The statewide role oversees the Open Data Portal and the Data Management Advisory Committee, comprised of state agency data management officers who develop data governance best practices.
“I'm thrilled and honored to serve in this role, and to work with such wonderful leadership, colleagues, and peers across Texas,” Cooke said in a news release. “Together, we will continue to find opportunities to strengthen statewide data governance, seek opportunities for data sharing and manage this most critical strategic asset.”
DIR’s executive director and chief information officer, Amanda Crawford, named Cooke to the role after he served in an interim capacity when Ed Kelly retired in September.
“Neil quickly transitioned into the role of interim Statewide Chief Data Officer, rising to the challenge of taking over a successful statewide program and maintaining the momentum,” Crawford said. “Neil is well-respected among his colleagues at both DIR and throughout the state data management community. I am honored to name Neil to this role and excited to see where he leads the program.”
Goals of the Office of the State Chief Data Officer are:
- Improve data governance and integrity statewide
- Seek opportunities for data sharing across government
- Work with agencies and institutions of higher education to collaboratively develop data policies, standards, and best practices.
Before his time with DIR, Cooke was with Texas Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of State Health Services and the Department of Agriculture, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The DIR news release said that he brings “25 years of IT experience, leading complex projects, large programs, data governance, data management and data strategy, and creating opportunities for data sharing across governmental entities.”
The Legislature established the chief data officer role in Texas Government Code Section 2054.0286 to improve the state’s information collection practices and information sharing between agencies.
