Illinois- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has appointed Ron Guerrier, a veteran of the private sector with more than two decades of experience managing information technology for large companies, as his state's next chief information officer (CIO). He has served as the CIO for multi-billion-dollar companies since 2012. Kirk Lonbom, retired as the CIO in December following a 38-year career in public service. Lonbom's temporary replacement, Acting CIO Jack King, departed in February.
Texas- U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson said in a letter to President Trump that she plans to resign from her post effective in late May. Wilson has been named as the sole finalist to be the next president of the University of Texas at El Paso, a position that the system's regents will vote on after a state-required waiting period of 21 days. She said she will resign after getting the job. Wilson, who was an Air Force officer during the Cold War, had been leading the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology when she was tapped for this position. She represented New Mexico in Congress from 1998 to 2009.
Maine- Fred Brittain, an information technology leader for the University of Maine system, will become the chief information officer (CIO) for the entire state starting next month. Brittain will take over the position on April 1. He replaces acting CIO and Deputy Commissioner Dick Thompson, a former CIO for the state as well as the University of Maine system. The state has been without a permanent CIO since Jim Smith stepped down from the role in September.
New York- The president of LaGuardia Community College, Gail Mellow, is stepping down after nearly 20 years. Mellow will leave at the end of August. Mellow joined LaGuardia as senior administrator for curriculum and pedagogy, before being named president of Gloucester County College in Sewell, N.J. in 1997-a role she held for three years before returning to LaGuardia in 2000 as president.
California- City Manager David White has tendered his resignation and plans to take a deputy city manager position in Berkeley. White's last day as city manager is May 2. White was appointed city manager in June 2014. He replaced Sean Quinn, who retired that April but remained as interim city manager while the council sought a replacement. Prior to White's appointment by the City Council, he served concurrently as director of the city's Finance Department and assistant city manager from February 2013.
Oregon- Steve Allen is the new state behavioral health director at Oregon Health Authority (OHA). He will begin work April 29. Steve Allen, a skilled clinician, national expert on behavioral health policy and state government reform and experienced behavioral health administrator, will fill the role created in July 2018, when OHA reorganized its behavioral health program. Mike Morris had been serving in the role on an interim basis until he retired in February.
Arizona- Deputy Police Chief Susan Smith was selected as the next chief for the Yuma Police Department (YPD). Smith served as the city's deputy police chief since 2012 and rose through the ranks with YPD since 1995. Smith will replace John Lekan, who announced his retirement after a 33-year career with YPD. He has been YPD's chief since 2012 and his last day is March 28.
California- Julie Lucido, an engineer with government experience in the Napa Valley, will become director of the Public Works department on April 8. She returns to Napa after spending three years with the city of Fairfield, most recently as its public works head. Lucido replaces Jacques LaRochelle, who retired Jan. 15. His former deputy, Eric Whan, has led Public Works on an interim basis since LaRochelle left. Lucido has spent more than 15 years in engineering and management posts for various local governments.
Virginia- Eric M. Dahl has been chosen as the Fluvanna County administrator after Steve Nichols retires in July. Dahl has been working for the county since October 2011. He currently holds the position of deputy county administrator and finance director for Fluvanna County. Dahl will take on his new role on July 6. Dahl joined Fluvanna County in 2011 and his served as the deputy county administrator and director of finance.
Pennsylvania- The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) recently announced that Miles Turpin has been named its director of transportation. His 26 years in the transit industry include various senior management capacities with Orange County Transportation Authority in Orange, Calif., Breeze Fixed-Route Operation in Oceanside, Calif., and the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colo.
Hawaii- William May, Hawaii State Hospital administrator, is leaving his post in early May. A national search is underway to find May's successor. May, who joined Hawaii State Hospital in July 2014, is leaving in early May to coincide with the end of the legislative session. May has also served in chief executive officer positions in New Jersey at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, Ewing Residential Treatment Center and the Woodbridge Developmental Center.
Tennessee- James Mills has been named the city manager of Cookeville. Mike Davidson announced his plans to resign at the end of January to pursue another job opportunity. He plans to remain as city manager through June 30. Mills moved to Cookeville in 1986 and worked for 12 years as principal community planner for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Milles was later hired as the new director for the city's planning department.