Maryland names new CIO
Maryland has a new head for its information technology department.
Isabel FitzGerald, the state’s deputy secretary for operations at the Department of Human Resources, will replace current Department of Information Technology Secretary Elliott Schlanger, who will lead the state’s cybersecurity operations.
“I am pleased Isabel has chosen to serve the people of Maryland as our State’s Secretary of Information Technology,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “At the Department of Human Resources, she worked diligently to improve data security, and implement new and innovative strategies to provide infrastructure and support for Maryland’s most disadvantaged residents. With her exceptional talents, skills and experience, I am confident that the Department will flourish under her leadership.”
FitzGerald served as the chief information officer for the Department of Human Resources for five years before her current appointment. As CIO, she worked to deliver the Electronic Benefits program that simplified the issuance of benefits.
She also worked on a strategic procurement program that saved the agency approximately $10 million annually, O’Malley said.
“Technology is a critical part of making government better serve the people of Maryland,” FitzGerald said. “I am grateful to the Governor for this opportunity to serve, and I look forward to driving change through collaboration and innovations in technology.”
Schlanger served as IT secretary for almost six years, becoming the first to hold that position when he took office in 2007. He will continue with the state as Maryland’s cybersecurity director, a new position created to help protect the state’s infrastructure.
“It has been a privilege to serve under the leadership of Governor Martin O’Malley as Maryland’s first-ever Secretary of Information Technology,” Schlanger said. “After almost six years as Secretary of IT, I am well positioned to accept and welcome my next important mission to lead the State’s cyber resilience initiatives as the Director of Cyber.”
During his time as Secretary of IT, Schlanger oversaw the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant application, award and implementation of the One Maryland Broadband Network. That project fosters economic development, improves public safety interoperability, and extends and/or interconnects existing networks through every county in the state. He also provided executive leadership for the State’s 700 MHz Radio Communications Project and introduced a brand new Maryland.gov portal.
TechAmerica applauded the appointments.
“Ms. FitzGerald has an impressive track record of private sector and government service. Most notable to TechAmerica is her willingness to drive innovation and her desire to be an agent of change,” Carol Henton, vice sresident of state & local government for TechAmerica. “We hope that she will continue key projects started under Mr. Schlanger’s tenure most notably the examination of Maryland’s IT Terms and Conditions and procurement processes and procedures, which TechAmerica has been actively supporting. We would like to see this important undertaking completed sometime this fall.”
