Federal government's agricultural department in Washington D.C. adopts a revised position for the role of 'Chief Information Officer'
In a significant shift within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Gary Washington, the current Chief Information Officer (CIO), is moving to a new role as the Chief Innovation Officer (CINO). Washington's departure marks the end of an almost eight-year tenure at USDA, during which he led several transformative initiatives.
Washington's role as CIO was instrumental in driving the modernisation of USDA's IT infrastructure. Under his leadership, the department won five awards from the Technology Modernization Fund, including a $64 million investment to consolidate and modernize 17 disparate networks. Notably, Washington spearheaded the launch of the Stratus vehicle for awarding cloud contracts, advocating for USDA to rely predominantly on software-as-a-service.
The role of a CINO is less defined compared to a CIO, and its responsibilities vary significantly depending on the organisation, business context, and the individual themselves. In the case of the USDA, the CINO's primary role is to provide recognition and support for federal employees to identify and implement innovative ideas. The CINO would complement the chief technology officer and the federal chief information officer.
Sam Berry, previously a senior advisor on government efficiency in the Office of the CIO, has been named as the new CIO of the USDA. Berry, known for his reputation as a visionary leader in the tech space, brings a strong track record of driving digital transformation and technology excellence.
The CINO role has gained prominence in recent years, with several government agencies, including the Defense Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, appointing CINOs. The IT and Innovation Foundation even recommended the Trump administration establish a federal CINO. Currently, there are 17 people or positions with the CINO or deputy CINO title across government.
The role of a CINO is divided into two main categories: managing the innovation funnel and building innovation capabilities. The high rate of turnover across the CIO community this year, with 23 out of 27 CFO Act agencies changing executives in the last nine months, underscores the importance of these roles in driving digital transformation and innovation within government agencies.
In recognition of Washington's significant contributions, legislators included a provision in the 2023 omnibus spending bill that requires the agency's CIO to approve any new or significant upgrades to IT systems. This provision underscores the impact and importance of the CIO and CINO roles in shaping the future of government IT infrastructure.
With Washington's departure and Berry's appointment, the USDA is poised to continue its digital transformation journey, leveraging innovation to improve its services and deliver better outcomes for the American people.
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