- Colorado has named private-sector tech veteran Theresa Szczurek as its next chief information officer and executive director of its Office of Information Technology. Szczurek, the founder of an enterprise software firm that develops chatbots and other live-assistance platforms, will succeed Suma Nallapati, who stepped down last week at the end of former Gov. John Hickenlooper's term.
- Curt T. Otaguro has been appointed to serve as the state comptroller in Hawaii, a position that concurrently serves as head of the Department of Accounting and General Services. Otaguro was most recently the executive vice president and division manager of a bank's digital banking division where he spent most of his career in various positions of increasing responsibility.
- Northern Virginia Community College is looking for a new president after Scott Ralls was named to lead Wake Technical Community College in North Carolina. Ralls, who had led the region's largest college since 2015, will begin his new position on April 12. He formerly served as head of North Carolina Community Colleges from 2008 to 2015. Ralls will succeed Stephen Scott, who served for 15 years before retiring in August.
- Ferndale City Manager April Lynch is leaving her job to take a new position. Lynch's new job will be working as associate vice president for human resources for the University of Detroit Mercy. She will leave Ferndale at the end of next month. She was hired by the city in 2011 after working as an assistant city manager in Ypsilanti. She had also worked as the human resources director in Ypsilanti in addition to positions in planning and zoning departments there.
- Scot Wrighton has been selected as the city manager of Decatur. The pick comes almost seven months after former City Manager Tim Gleason announced he would be leaving the position to take up the same role for the city of Bloomington. Wrighton has been city manager in Streator for more than four years and was also city manager there from 1987-1994. Wrighton is expected to begin his new position in March.
- The city of Fishers has named Megan Baumgartner economic development director. She previously held the assistant director position and succeeds Brandon Dickinson, who left in October. Baumgartner was hired by the city in 2015 and since then has led the city's business-retention, expansion and attraction-project efforts while serving as the main point of contact between Fishers businesses and the city.
- Long-time county engineer David Yamamoto has been confirmed by the Hawaii County Council as the new director of public works. His appointment is effective Feb. 1. Yamamoto, a registered professional engineer, has more than 26 years of experience as an engineer and program management professional. He has held the position of building chief in the Public Works' Building Division since 2012.
- Douglas County Commissioners have selected Tom Stone as the new county manager. Stone previously served eight years as a county commissioner in Eagle County, Colo., and as the chief administrative officer of Lassen County in Calif. Commissioners had been working to find a new county manager since July when Larry Werner announced he was terminating his contract effective Aug. 31, 2018.
- Michael Mackey has been appointed Lansing's new fire chief. Mackey worked in Florida for more than 30 years with the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and recently served as that department's interim chief. Former Norton Shores Fire Chief David Purchase has been overseeing Lansing's fire department on an interim basis since July. Randy Talifarro stepped down from his position at the helm of Lansing's fire department earlier this year when Lansing and East Lansing ended an agreement that allowed the two cities to share a fire chief. Talifarro continues to serve as East Lansing's fire chief.
- Longtime local police officer Kelly Blackwelder is Elon's new police chief. Elon began its search for a new chief in November when former Chief Cliff Parker joined the Sheriff's Office as chief deputy. Blackwelder, who previously was the operations lieutenant began her first day as police chief Jan. 7.
- Bob Broscheid was selected as the newest director of Arizona State Parks. Broscheid has been director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife since 2013. Has was the former state Game and Fish deputy director. Broscheid spent 18 years at the state Game and Fish office as a biologist and habitat branch chief. Broscheid replaces Sue Black, who stepped down in November.
- Keith Hanson, also a Shreveport native and private-sector technology leader, has been chosen as Shreveport's first chief technology officer. In the next week or so, Mayor Adrian Perkins expects the city council to confirm Hanson's appointment. Hanson returned to Shreveport eight years ago and launched his own software development company. Hanson credits his ability to work closely with private-sector technology firms as a strength as he transitions into his public role in City Hall.