News Release
CIO Takes Position in Private Sector
6/1/2004
Kris Goss
406-444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
HELENA - Governor Judy Martz today announced that Brian Wolf, Montana's
first Chief Information Officer, would be leaving state government in June for a position in the private sector. Wolf was hired by the Department of
Administration nearly three years ago after a nationwide search.
"Brian has done an excellent job of bringing solid business practices
to the Information Technology Services Division of Montana's government," Governor Martz said. "He has worked very hard to use technology to strengthen government and make it more responsive to the needs of the citizens."
The 2001 legislature created the position of state chief information
officer to improve the management of information within state government.
"Brian will be missed in every aspect of state government. He brought a
wealth of knowledge and experience in information technology and used that wisdom to enact a vision with enthusiasm," said Steve Bender the Acting Director of the Department of Administration. "We were fortunate to have Brian's unique skills; such a combination will be difficult to replace."
"We have set the state's Information Technology systems on a path of
excellence." Governor Martz stated. "With Brian's leadership we have advanced e-government and built a strategic plans for Information Technology within state government that will provide a strong foundation
for the future."
During Wolf's tenure in the Martz Administration, he pursued a number of
information technology initiatives and led a number of changes in how technology is managed in state government including:
- Strategic Planning. Brian guided the development of the State's first
two statewide information technology strategic plans to help guide the information technology community on a common direction for improvement.
- Best Practices. Brian implemented a large number of proven "leading
edge" practices to improve use of information technology in State government, including procurement, contracting, systems development, project management, and agency project oversight and assistance.
- E-Government. Under Brian's direction, E-government applications were
aggressively deployed to the benefit of Montana's businesses and citizens. 44 separate E-government applications have been launched since October, 2001 to allow citizens to conveniently and efficiently conduct their business with the State. More services are in the planning and
implementation stages to further benefit Montanans.
- Public Safety Services. Brian was successful in coordinating efforts
and obtaining federal funding for a number of 9-1-1 and public safety radio projects. These projects provide direct benefit to Montana citizen's by improving public safety services provided at the local level.
Wolf will become the Chief Operating Officer of the Utility Division at
National Information Solutions Cooperative in St. Peters, Missouri. National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) is an information technology company that develops and supports software and
hardware solutions for utility and telecommunications cooperatives and
companies across the nation.
Deputy Chief Information Officer Jeff Brandt will become acting Chief
Information Officer. Brandt holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electrical Engineering from North Dakota State University and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Montana. He has been with the Montana Department of Administration for 27 years.
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Kris Goss
Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
