Bhagowalia Named State’s First Chief Information Officer

By Wendy Osher

Governor Neil Abercrombie today named Sanjeev “Sonny” Bhagowalia as the State of Hawai'i’s first full-time Chief Information Officer (CIO) to transform the state’s information technology system. Photo courtesy Office of the Governor.

In an effort to transform the state’s technology infrastructure, Governor Neil Abercrombie today appointed the state’s first Chief Information Officer.

In his new post as CIO, Sanjeev “Sonny” Bhagowalia will oversee the newly created Office of Information Management and Technology (OIMT). His appointment takes effect on July 6, 2011.

Governor Abercrombie also signed House Bill 1060 into law today, which appropriates funding for the new CIO post, and the OIMT department. The funding allocated in the bill is supplemented by a $3 million grant from the non-profit Hawai’ i Community Foundation.

In his new capacity as CIO, Bhagowalia, will work with state departments and agencies to develop and implement plans to enhance technology security, create backup measures, and reduce energy consumption.

“I look forward to collaborating with the many people who are already working hard to improve public services and create a more efficient government. My experience has trained me to see information and possibility in everything, and I’m eager to discover what opportunities lie ahead for Hawai’i,” said Bhagowalia.

Bhagowalia currently serves in Washington, D.C., as the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). He previously served in CIO roles with the U.S. Department of the Interior and another with Bureau of Indian Affairs & Bureau of Indian Education within the U.S. Department of the Interior. Bhagowalia also served as a Program Management Executive at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Outdated and ineffective technology is perhaps the largest impediment to making our government work,” said Gov. Abercrombie in making the announcement today.

State officials said the OIMT department will start off with an estimated seven employees, and potentially increase in size to a 10-person department.

*** Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy State of Hawai’i, Office of the Governor.