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).