Kentucky hires IT commissioner

Governor's Office of Technology

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher announced the appointment of Mike Inman as commissioner of technology for the state Friday.

The Governor's Office for Technology is responsible for IT-related issues, such as maintaining state agencies' e-mail systems and providing broadband connections for schools. As leader of the office, Inman will also develop and provide IT policy direction for all of the agencies.

The position has been vacant since November when the state's first chief information officer, Aldona Valicenti, left. She became vice president of business development and strategy at Oracle Corp.

Inman most recently worked in the federal division at Computer Associates Inc. in Herndon, Va. He served in the Army for several years, retiring as lieutenant colonel after completing a 20-plus year career as commander of the ROTC program at the University of Kentucky.

Among other degrees, he holds a bachelor's degree in government from Western Kentucky University and a master's degree in information systems management from the University of Southern California.

"Mike's military and private-sector experience provide a new perspective that will be a tremendous asset as he provides leadership for state government's information services," said Robbie Rudolph in a statement. He is secretary of Kentucky's finance and administration cabinet.