Defense CIO nominee will face tough challenges

033010takaiNGins (Mar. 30) - Defense CIO nominee Teri Takai may face opposition from IT's old-boy network. OCIO

Teresa "Teri" Takai, California's chief information officer, whom President Obama nominated on Monday to head the Defense Department's information technology shop, faces a steep learning curve if the Senate confirms her for the position, former federal chief information officers and industry analysts said.

Takai's lack of experience with military command-and-control systems, and tactical networks in particular, could pose a tough challenge, they said. But federal IT specialists said if she gets help from experienced IT staff within Defense, then she can master the most daunting parts of the job.

John Grimes, who resigned as Defense CIO in April 2009, said Takai appears to be highly qualified for the job, although he added he does not know her personally. Grimes said the tactical networks and command-and-control systems that Defense relies on to conduct operations worldwide will be her biggest challenge and will occupy most of her time.

Takai will step into a "very demanding position, both technically and operationally, that plays a critical role in supporting the warfighter globally," he said.

He added the top nonpolitical leadership at CIO office -- including Cheryl Roby, acting CIO, and Dave Wennergren, deputy CIO -- is a good team that will help Takai master the job.

But sources who declined to be identified said one of the first tough issues Takai will face will be recognizing who is her No. 2, Roby or Wennergren. Takai also could run into opposition from what has been described as an old-boy network inside and outside the Pentagon, a concern that first surfaced when she was rumored to be President Obama's pick for the post and reported by Nextgov in February.

That opposition is offset, of course, by Obama's backing as well as support from Aneesh Chopra, the president's federal chief technology officer and Virginia's former secretary of technology, who has a long professional relationship with Takai. She and Chopra appeared together March 10 on a panel to discuss digital governance at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

J. Stephen Fletcher, CIO of Utah and former CIO of the Education Department, said Takai will "do a fabulous job at Defense" and the skills she has developed during her almost 40- year career in government and industry will more than make up for her lack of military experience.

Fletcher, who also serves as president of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, added Takai has the experience that Defense needs, which includes ensuring the compatibility of disparate information systems so they can exchange information. Takai knows the importance of building systems that can share information and deliver it to the end user, whether those systems are on the battlefield or in the office, he added.

While Takai will have to spend a lot of time learning about systems that are unique to Defense, one of the biggest issues the department faces is information technology governance and development of enterprise information system, which Takai can manage well, said Warren Suss, president of Suss Consulting.

"From all reports Takai is sharp, competent and can bring fresh ideas" to the job, he said.