Rawson resigns as executive director of DIR
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Robinson will step into the interim position with a long history of government service. She began her career in state government as a technology consultant for Senate offices through the Texas Legislative Council, where her primary account was the lieutenant governor's office. She later served as a systems analyst for five years at the Office of the Governor (OOG) before being named IT Director. As IT Director, she was responsible not only for managing the computer services division for OOG, but also for serving as liaison with both outside vendors and other agencies to advance the OOG's technological capabilities. In August 2007, she was appointed Director of Administration and Technology for OOG, where she was responsible for administering the OOG's general administrative policy, human resources and personnel management, professional development and office support services. She also was charged with oversight of all technical aspects of the office.
Bacarisse said Robinson not only has a "strong reputation in the technology field," but is also "a leader who builds strong teams that successfully complete complex tasks" and the right person to lead during the transition period.
Rawson, in an e-mail to DIR employees Wednesday, cited numerous technology initiatives in which he and DIR employees had been involved while he was at DIR, including the information and communications technology cooperative contracting program, data center services consolidation, the state's information security program, the statewide communications network and the public-private partnership for TexasOnline, the official Web site of the State of Texas.
Rawson, who boasts more than 20 years of state government service, was named executive director of DIR in May 2007 after having served as interim executive director of DIR since December 2006, when former executive director Larry Olson resigned. At the time that he was appointed interim executive director, Rawson was serving DIR as director of the Service Delivery Division, a position to which he was appointed in June 2005. In that capacity, he was responsible for information technology sourcing, negotiations and contracting throughout the state and managing the state's public sector technology cooperative contract program.
His public sector career includes service with the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board and as chief information officer at TEA.
DIR has hired a search firm to assist its board with the hiring of a new executive director.
