Hewitt made DHS deputy CIO

Homeland Security Department officials have appointed Rear Adm. Ronald Hewitt, the Coast Guard’s assistant commandant for command, control, communications, computers and information technology, as DHS' acting deputy chief information officer, Coast Guard officials said today.

It is not yet known when Hewitt will report for his new assignment, said Chief Petty Officer Paul Rhynard, a Coast Guard spokesman.

Hewitt replaces Mark Emery, the deputy CIO who left last month to become a high-level consultant with PEC Solutions, which specializes in technology for homeland security, criminal justice and intelligence, defense and civilian agencies.

Nathaniel Heiner, the Coast Guard’s chief knowledge officer, will take over for Hewitt as acting CIO, Rhynard said.