PA Public Sector IT Executives To Receive Certified Government Chief Information Officer Credential

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Sept. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Twenty-three (23) public sector IT executives who completed a 10-month leadership development program at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology aimed at enhancing the overall effectiveness of technology operations in the Commonwealth will be were recognized during a special ceremony at the University on September 17, 2013.

The executives are the third cohort to receive the credential of "Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO)" from the University, which makes them part of an exclusive group of public sector IT executives. They join over 600 other CGCIOs who completed programs from the University of North Carolina, Rutgers University and the Florida State University through the Consortium for State and Local Government Technology Leadership Development.

The program in Pennsylvania is offered through the Government Technology Institute (GTI) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. The Government Technology Institute (GTI) focuses on improving the skills of information technology (IT) leaders in government, encouraging collaboration among Pennsylvania’s many government entities and innovation. Barbara Shelton and Charlie Gerhards, both former government officials, serve as the GTI Co-Executive Directors.

The certification program is not only good for the executives who participate, but it’s been good for the agencies, commissions and local government entities that send their executives. Because each candidate has to complete an applied project, the program brings about the development of 23 innovative new initiatives aimed at solving critically important issues in state and local government through the enhanced use of technology. The program came to a close on August 23, as the last of the project presentations were made.

Premiere companies sponsoring the GTI, including CA Technologies, Comcast Business, Computer Aid, Inc., Cisco, Microsoft, Unisys, and Deloitte Consulting.


The Graduates:

Jonathan S. Arnold, Director, Customer Service and Operations, Department of Health

Erik Avakian, Chief Information Security Officer, Enterprise Information Security Office

Joyce E. Black, Manager, Network Administration, PA Department of Transportation

Lanny D. Black, Bureau Director, Enterprise Services, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Edward S. Bowlen, Jr., Director of Enterprise Architecture, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry

Molly H. Dougherty, Director, Continuity of Government, Office of Administration

Jeffrey J. Dunlap, Information Technology Services Manager, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts

Stephen Dunn, Director of Infrastructure and Operations, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Kathryn A. Hartzell, Chief, Enterprise Procurement Services, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office for Information Technology

Danielle M. Hogg, Director, Lebanon County MIS Department, County of Lebanon

Michael Hoover, Assistant Director, Bureau of the Integrated Enterprise System (IES), PA Office of Administration

Deana Hull, Chief, Data Resources Division, PA Game Commission

Timothy Irvin, Chief Information Officer, PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Bureau of Information Technology

Donald W. Jacobs, Chief Information Officer, The County of Bucks

Rosa Y. Lara, Director, Policy, Planning and Performance Management, Governor’s Office of Administration

Dee Mayer, Assistant Chief Information Officer, PA Liquor Control Board

Nicholas Melnick, Jr., Director, Bureau of Application Development and Support, Office of Administration, Office for Information Technology

Lisa M. Polonia, IT Manager, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts

Jason Smith, Point of Service Manager, PA Liquor Control Board

Anita M. Steinmeier, Chief, Enterprise Software and Information Services Division, Department of Labor and Industry

Sonja Powell Waters, IT Manager, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts

James A. Weaver, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Public Welfare, Insurance and Aging, Department of Welfare, Bureau of Information Systems

Steven Weinbrom, Chief, Office of Information Technology Services Enterprise Infrastructure Division, PA Liquor Control Board

Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Harrisburg University is a private university offering bachelor-of-science and graduate degree programs in science, technology and math fields. For more information on the University's affordable demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, call 717.901.5146 or email, Connect@HarrisburgU.edu