Office of Administration News
November 6, 2009
Simmons Announces New Chief Information Officer for State of Missouri
Young begins Nov. 18
Jefferson City - - - Office of Administration Commissioner Kelvin Simmons announced the appointment of Douglas M. Young as the state's new chief information officer (CIO).
"We are pleased to have found a CIO who brings knowledge of how state government works while having a vision of Missouri's technologic future. We know that Doug will set a course that will guide us where we need to go," Simmons commented.
Missouri's CIO oversees all the state's technology needs. Young will be responsible for the information technology budget and will ensure that the division provides the support necessary for state agencies to fulfill their missions and serve their constituencies. He also will work with his staff to determine which existing and emerging technologies are the best choices for state needs.
Young brings more than 20 years experience in information technology in the public sector. He has spent much of his career with the Department of Conservation, where he began working with computer technology in the late 1980s, providing computer support to more than 30 offices statewide. His most recent position was Information Technology Services Chief. In that role he implemented many technology improvements for the agency including a telephony-based system to help every Missouri deer and turkey hunter electronically check their harvest as opposed to driving to a physical checking station.
Young is excited to be a part of the initiatives the Nixon administration is pursuing to improve services to Missourians. He says "technology is changing at an increasingly rapid pace and in these challenging economic times we have to look at ways it can improve and economize our processes in government."
He believes that "making state services and relevant information readily available online, enhancing Internet access via affordable broadband connectivity and utilizing Web 2.0 technology to communicate will increase citizens' abilities to easily interact with their government."
Young will assume his duties on Nov. 18, 2009.
