Wisconsin names first CIO to lead new e-gov department

Wisconsin Gov. Scott McCallum today named Xerox Corp. executive Rebecca Heidepriem the state’s first CIO and secretary of the new Electronic Government Department. She pledged to reorganize the state’s IT assets and speed the delivery of additional electronic services.Heidepriem will oversee state IT expenditures of about $350 million annually. She will take office Oct. 1.The Legislature established the Electronic Government Department in the biennial budget McCallum signed Aug. 30. It will assume IT management functions now carried out by the Administration Department.“Private sector businesses have realized substantial savings by recognizing information technology as an enterprise asset,” Heidepriem said in a statement. “I know the governor expects the same in state government.”Heidepriem said she would establish a long-term plan to improve IT asset management and improve delivery of electronic services to citizens.“We need to quickly offer a wider array of direct electronic services, such as educational classes and submission and payment for licenses and permits as well as applications,” Heidepriem said today. “And we must be prepared to offer local governments the ability to provide these services. The new economy does not tolerate a slow pace.”Heidepriem, who worked for Xerox for 19 years, most recently held the post of manager of sales operations for the Upper Midwest Customer Business Unit.