Cisco Systems names new government manager

State and local governments have a new source to help them put services

online, as Cisco Systems Inc. named a public-sector Internet business development

manager.

Mark Badger, formerly Alaska's chief information officer, will be an intermediary

between the company and the public sector, working with state and local

governments to develop and implement networks for agencies.

The goal is for governments to "save time and reduce the size and cost of

administration," he said.

"When you take all that paper shuffling and reorganize the business processes,

when people are seeking ways to reduce administration — whether government

or universities — these network tools are needed," he said.

He said the position was created because of a high number of requests for

help with these networks.

"Everybody knows that governments and universities need to change to become

more networked-enabled, so they don't have to stand in line when people

can do it online," he said.

Badger will be responsible for the public sector in all of North America.