Out-of-sight CIO resigns over the weekend, posts new job to LinkedIn

Barry West, the long-absent Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation CIO, has resigned. He seems to have quietly made a move to greener pastures.

After going on leave in his FDIC role on or before June 4, West spent more than two months missing before changing his LinkedIn page at some point over the August 15-16 weekend to reflect a new position: president at Mason Harriman Group, a firm that connects retired CXOs with government and industry.

It’s unclear when exactly the update was made, or whether West personally made it.

He was still listed as the CIO on the FDIC website on the morning of Aug. 17, but FDIC spokesperson Barbara Hagenbaugh confirmed that he resigned effective Aug. 15.

Hagenbaugh has consistently declined to say whether West was on paid administrative leave, despite Federal News Radio reporting on multiple occasions that it was administrative leave.

Before coming to FDIC, West served as CIO for the National Weather Service, FEMA, the Commerce Department and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

Hagenbaugh said that Acting Chief Information Officer Martin Henning, who was doing West’s work during his absence, would continue to handle the job as a permanent replacement was sought.

Neither West nor Mason Harriman immediately responded to requests for comment.