South Carolina gets a new CIO

Jim Bryant, a former Air Force officer with extensive federal information technology experience, has been named South Carolina’s new chief information officer.

Frank Fusco, executive director of the state’s Budget and Control Board, appointed the 47-year-old Bryant to oversee nearly 300 employees and a budget of more than $66 million. Bryant will begin work Jan. 9, 2006.

“Jim Bryant brings tremendous knowledge, strong vision and an unmatched work ethic to this important position,” Fusco said in a statement. “We are thrilled to bring back to South Carolina a native son who has the expertise to help us fulfill the board’s mission to make government better.”

Bryant, who replaces acting CIO Barbara Teusink, will supervise the state’s data center, telecommunications services and IT procurement activities, and promote statewide IT use. His group will also contribute to emergency response programs.

Since retiring as an Air Force lieutenant colonel in 1997, Bryant has worked for AT&T Government Solutions and EDS, where he was responsible for implementing military IT systems. He now works as a defense contractor and management consultant in Virginia and teaches graduate-level IT courses at two universities.

Bryant graduated from the Citadel in 1980 and holds master’s degrees in business administration, computer information systems and national security from several colleges and universities. He also has a doctorate in environmental engineering from the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati.