SB2516: HGEA Power Grab forced State CIO to Resign

StateScoop June 11, 2024 (excerpts, with accuracy-inducing corrections in parenthesis)

 … Bill SB 2516, which lawmakers passed in early May and now awaits Gov. Josh Green’s signature, aims to streamline (put HGEA in control of) state technology operations and provide stronger financial oversight. The CIO would still be appointed by the governor, but report to the state comptroller….

The duties of the CIO, to oversee statewide information technology governance and ensure compliance across departments and agencies, would largely remain the same. However, the bill would also create an information technology steering committee, comprised of thirteen members appointed by various legislative offices, (handpicked by HGEA) to provide oversight and guidance to the state technology office….

Former CIO Doug Murdock, who retired in May, opposed the legislation. He argued that the bill would reduce the CIO role’s autonomy and authority within the state government.

(TRANSLATION: Now you know why Murdock quit with zero notice May 31, 2024.)

“Dual-hatting the CIO to deputy director under the Comptroller would diminish the authority and independence of ETS and the CIO,” Murdock wrote in written testimony to the House Committee on Labor and Government Operations on March 14. “It could also lead to the CIO being assigned to projects unrelated to ETS’ statutory mission.”…

read … Hawaii CIO may soon report to state comptroller, steering committee

2017: Tech: 'Clinically Psychotic' HGEA Signs Suicide Pact

2010: Audit fuels “clinically psychotic” HGEA effort to strangle tax collection

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GOVERNOR GREEN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF STATE CIO MURDOCK

Tom Ku Named Acting Chief Information Officer

News Release from Office of the Governor, May 31, 2024

HONOLULU  ̶  Governor Josh Green, M.D., has announced the retirement of Hawai‘i Chief Information Officer (CIO) Doug Murdock from public service, effective today.

“CIO Doug Murdock was responsible for leading Hawai‘i’s technology efforts through the very difficult pandemic years, while continuing to move the state forward with the modernization and consolidation of our IT infrastructure,” said Governor Green. “We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Murdock was recently honored by Government Technology magazine as one of the “Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers” for 2024, a national recognition. The award  acknowledges individuals and teams who move government forward, using innovative technology to solve public-sector challenges and improve the performance of critical programs, according to the publication.

Murdock has been the state CIO since January 2019, previously serving as state comptroller and as Hawai‘i Tourism Authority vice president for Administrative and Fiscal Affairs.

“It has been an honor and a privilege serving the people of Hawai‘i and working with the extraordinary multi-award-winning team at ETS. I want to thank everyone, both within government and in the private sector, who supported our efforts to modernize digital government in our state,” Murdock said. “After 25 years in the Air Force, 10 years with the state of Hawai‘i, and 15 years in other positions, I am looking forward to retirement.”

The Green Administration is conducting a search for a new CIO to oversee the Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS). The CIO is a cabinet-level position that requires confirmation by the Senate. Governor Green has named Tom Ku to serve as Acting Chief Information Officer in the interim. Currently the IT Services Operations Officer at ETS, he previously served as an assistant vice president for IT Infrastructure Networks at First Hawaiian Bank.

About the Office of Enterprise Technology Services

ETS provides governance for executive branch IT projects and seeks to identify, prioritize and advance innovative initiatives with the greatest potential to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve transparency and accountability in state government. ETS also supports the management and operation of all state agencies by providing effective, efficient, coordinated and cost-beneficial computer and telecommunication services such that state program objectives may be achieved.

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SS: Hawaii CIO Doug Murdock retires | StateScoop

GT: Doug Murdock, Who Guided Modernization, Retires as Hawaii CIO (govtech.com)