Chris Cummiskey
Director and State CIO
Arizona Government Information Technology Agency

Chris Cummiskey moved to Phoenix in 1976 and attended both high school and college in Arizona. After graduating from Arizona State University in 1987 with a degree in Communication, Chris started his own consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and marketing.

Chris was elected to the Arizona State Legislature at the age of 26 and served in the House and Senate from 1991 through 2002. During his tenure in the Senate, Chris held many leadership posts including that of Assistant Floor Leader. As a Senator, he was a recognized leader in the promotion of E-government and the New Economy.

Chris was appointed Chief Information Officer for the State of Arizona in January, 2003, by Governor Janet Napolitano. In this capacity, Chris is charged with advancing the Governor’s agenda of innovation and government transformation through the use of technology. Chris chairs several key executive initiatives including the Governor’s Council on 2-1-1, the Governor’s IT Security Advisory Committee, the AZ Steering Committee on Education Data and the State’s Information Technology Authorization Committee. In addition to serving as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, Chris also serves on the Governor’s Homeland Security and Children’s Sub Cabinet groups.

As the Director of the Arizona Government Information Technology Agency, Chris seeks to promote and advance information technology and E-government services through strategic planning, project oversight and the generation of enterprise wide standards for state agencies, boards and commissions.

Chris is involved in numerous technology organizations both locally and nationally. He is a member of the Arizona Technology Council, FBI InfraGard, Phoenix Chapter, Member, the Governor’s Council on Innovation and Technology, the Arizona Steering Committee for the Integration of Criminal Justice, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, the Arizona State University Board of Advisors at the Center for Advancing Business through Information Technology, the Arizona Supreme Court Commission on Technology and as a board member of the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council.

Chris has also been involved with numerous community organizations over the years including: U.S Bank – Arizona, Board of Advisors, the Rodel Community Foundation Board of Advisors, the Arizona Policy Forum Board of Directors, Valley Leadership Board of Directors, Arizona Town Hall, Valley Citizens League, Arizona State University Alumni Association, and the Arizona Interscholastic Association. For more information on state technology initiatives in Arizona, please visit www.azgita.gov.