Chris Cummiskey
Deputy Under Secretary for Management
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Chris Cummiskey was appointed as the Deputy Under Secretary for Management (USM) in May 2010. Along with the Under Secretary for Management, Mr. Cummiskey oversees the department's enterprise management programs, processes, and people through the line of business chiefs: the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Chief Human Capital Officer, the Chief Procurement Officer, the Chief Administrative Services Officer, and the Chief Security Officer.

Among his many responsibilities, Mr. Cummiskey provides leadership in moving the Management Directorate toward adopting an improved customer-service focus. He assists with the day-to-day operations of the Management Directorate and provides strong direction in the continued unification and maturation of the Department. Mr. Cummiskey has been aggressively involved in everyday operations since coming to the Department in March 2009 as the USM’s Chief of Staff.

Mr. Cummiskey provides counsel to the Secretary of Homeland Security on a wide range of initiatives that require strong communication and collaboration skills. He serves as the primary point of contact on veterans affairs for the Secretary to the White House and Veteran Service Organizations across the country.

Mr. Cummiskey supports Secretary-level initiatives by serving on the senior leadership group that implements the Secretary’s Efficiency Review Initiative, which seeks to improve the ways taxpayer’s dollars are spent. He serves as the Senior Accountable Official for the Department to the White House Council on Environmental Quality on issues relating to sustainability, environmental leadership and the economy. Mr. Cummiskey also serves as the Senior Accountable Official and coordinator for the department on the White House’s Open Government Initiative. He also serves as the department’s primary point of contact with the Government Accountability Office to improve relations and protocols on congressionally mandated audits and inquiries.

Prior to joining DHS, Mr. Cummiskey was the Chief Information Officer for the State of Arizona. Appointed in January, 2003, by Governor Janet Napolitano, Mr. Cummiskey advanced the Governor’s agenda of innovation and government transformation through the use of technology. As a member of the Governor’s cabinet, Mr. Cummiskey chaired several key executive initiatives during his tenure. In 2008, Mr. Cummiskey received the Distinguished Service to State Government Award from the National Governor’s Association for his work on innovation and government transformation issues.

Mr. Cummiskey 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, Mr. Cummiskey 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.