SECRETARY NAPOLITANO NAMES CUMMISKEY TO DHS MANAGEMENT POST

Washington DC----U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has named former Arizona State CIO Chris Cummiskey to a lead management position at DHS. As Chief of Staff in the Office of the Under Secretary for Management, Cummiskey will have a key role in the budget process, procurement, finance, human resources, technology and administration of the department. Prior to his appointment, Cummiskey served as Arizona’s CIO for six years and was nationally recognized for his work on technology and innovation issues. Cummiskey also served in numerous leadership roles during his twelve years of service in the Arizona House of Representatives and Arizona State Senate.

Arizona Chief Information Officer Chris Cummiskey was recently named to the Presidential Transition Team advisory committee on technology, innovation and government reform (TIGR).

The group, comprised of leaders in higher education, business and Government, is reviewing ideas for submission to the President-elect’s administration.

During the campaign, candidate Obama promised more of an emphasis on innovation and change in the way the Federal government interacts with citizens.

For more information on emerging issues and news from the Presidential Transition Team visit www.change.gov.

CUMMISKEY RECEIVES AWARD FROM NATION’S GOVERNORS
State CIO Recognized for Innovation, Government Transformation

Based on the nomination of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, the National Governor’s Association recently awarded State Chief Information Officer and GITA Director Chris Cummiskey a 2008 Distinguished Service to State Government Award. The award is based on his efforts to implement Governor Napolitano’s agenda for innovation and technology in the State.

"Chris has been a powerful agent for positive change in Arizona during his 17 years in public service," Governor Janet Napolitano said. "I have called upon Chris time and again to inspire government innovation and manage transformation initiatives. His strong leadership skills have led to the creation of Arizona 2-1-1, Arizona Health-e Connection, the Project Management Certification Program, and the Statewide Information Security and Privacy Office, just to name a few."

State CIO Chris Cummiskey is presented the NGA Distinguished Service Award by Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and NGA Chair and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

During his more than five years as State CIO, Cummiskey has distinguished himself through his ability to form powerful coalitions of business, education, non-profit, government and community stakeholders to transform government service delivery and implement innovative technology strategies.

“I’m honored to have been nominated by Governor Napolitano for this prestigious award,” said Cummiskey. “This recognition is a testament to Governor Napolitano’s strong vision for government innovation and transformation and the exceptional group of senior managers within GITA.”

CUMMISKEY NAMED TO LIST OF MOST OUTSTANDING
AZ LEGISLATORS IN THE MODERN ERA

PHOENIX---A recent survey by the Arizona Republic named former State Senator Chris Cummiskey to their list of the most outstanding Arizona legislators in the modern era. Cummiskey served in the State House from 1991-1994 and in the State Senate from 1995-2003. In his last two terms, Cummiskey served as a Floor Leader and Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

During his tenure in the legislature, Cummiskey was recognized for his efforts to improve school safety, revitalize communities, as a promoter of innovation and as a reformer of the legislative process.

Cummiskey joins former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, former AZ Governor Jane Hull, former U.S. Congressman Jim Kolbe and several others on the Republic list.

Photo Courtesy of Paul Howell Photography

AZ TECHNOLOGY AGENCY RECEIVES PUBLIC POLICY AWARD

The Arizona Capitol Times has awarded the Arizona Government Technology Agency (GITA) its inaugural award as a leader in public policy. Under the leadership of GITA Director and State CIO Chris Cummiskey, the agency has taken the lead on Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano’s innovation agenda on projects such as AZ 211, AZ Health-Connection, the AZ/Google Partnership, Homeland Security Interoperability Funding, E-Learning, expanded services through the state web portal and broadband deployment throughout Greater Arizona.



When asked by the Capitol Times why the agency has been successful, Cummiskey responded, “Our equation for success includes a strong commitment from the governor, an exceptional staff of senior managers and innovative projects that are changing the way services are delivered to the public.”

GOVERNOR APPOINTS CUMMISKEY TO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano has named State CIO Chris Cummiskey to the Arizona Public Safety Communications Commission (AZPSCC). The commission, comprised of leaders from first responder organizations around the state, is charged with developing and implementing an Arizona strategy for deploying interoperable communication networks in both urban and rural communities.

 “I am pleased to be joining such a distinguished group of public servants. The ability of fire, police and other first responders to communicate effectively in a disaster is critical to the safety of all Arizonans,” said Cummiskey as he attended his first meeting of the panel.

Funding for the AZPSCC comes from legislative appropriations as well as Federal Homeland Security grant monies set aside for interoperable communication.

CUMMISKEY WORKS TO ELIMINATE
DIGITAL DIVIDE ACROSS ARIZONA

Superior, AZ---Calling on communities to work in partnership with the State of Arizona and the private sector, State CIO Chris Cummiskey recently participated in a "wire cutting" ceremony in Superior, Arizona, to unveil a new high speed, wireless network to the Internet.

Superior, like many rural communities, had little or no access to the Internet prior to a successful partnership with the town and various entities including the State.

"We need to be vigilant in making sure no community in Arizona ends up on the wrong side of the digital divide," Cummiskey said at the ceremony.

 NAPOLITANO, CUMMISKEY NAMED AMONG TOP 25 DOERS, DREAMERS AND DRIVERS FOR 2006

National Magazine Recognizes Innovation in Arizona

PHOENIX---Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and Arizona’s Chief Information Officer Chris Cummiskey were recently recognized among Government Technology Magazine’s list of the top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers of innovation and technology for 2006.

Click the link to read full story.
http://www.govtech.net/magazine/story.php?id=104097

Arizona State Chief Information Officer Honored
Society for Information Management Names Cummiskey 2006 Practitioner of the Year

Phoenix—Arizona State Chief Information Officer Chris Cummiskey was recently recognized by the Arizona Chapter of the Society for Information Management (SIM) as the 2006 Practitioner of the Year.  “I am honored to receive this award from this prestigious group of information technology professionals,” said Cummiskey. 

The Government Information Technology Agency is a key agency in Governor Napolitano’s efforts to transform government in Arizona.  Under Director Cummiskey’s strategic leadership, GITA has overseen the development and implementation of several important information technology initiatives including Arizona 2-1-1 Online, Health-e Connection, and the Arizona @ Your Service web portal. 

The Society for Information Management is an association of senior IT executives, prominent academicians, selected consultants, and other IT thought leaders built on the foundation of local chapters, who come together to share and enhance their rich intellectual capital for the benefit of its members and their organizations.

Arizona Recognized Nationally for Digital Government
State Receives Several Prestigious Awards

For the fifth consecutive year, Arizona has been recognized as a top leader in providing digital government                  services to its citizens. In the 2006 Digital States Survey, Arizona finished in 5th place for Digital   Government nationwide.

“Arizona has a long history of smart strategic IT planning combined with effective implementation of IT projects,” said State CIO Chris Cummiskey. “By finishing in the top five, Arizona has once again demonstrated that it is national leader in serving citizens through innovation."

Arizona 2-1-1 Online Also Wins National Awards

Arizona 2-1-1 Online, a key digital government initiative in Arizona, has been recognized for Outstanding Achievement in the field of State IT from the National Association of Chief Information Officers (NASCIO).