Ricardo Cruz Blanco is a seasoned executive strategist with more than three decades of leadership in public sector technology, assisting state and national leaders shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI) governance, cybersecurity and digital transformation.
As Chief Information Officer for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Ricardo directed statewide IT modernization for an $88 billion enterprise, managing a $2.4 billion biennial IT budget and a $1.6 billion technology project portfolio while leading a team of 1,700 technology professionals. Under his leadership, Texas deployed secure cloud infrastructure, reduced redundant manual processes by 25% through AI-driven automation, and launched advanced cybersecurity frameworks aligned with HIPAA, NIST, and FISMA standards. His initiatives advanced cost containment through business process improvements, strengthened public-private partnerships by publishing agency IT strategic plans in alignment with Rider 175 and HB 4018, and created a transparent environment for vendors to align solutions with agency priorities. These efforts optimized infrastructure investments and enhanced service delivery for more than 7.5 million residents.
Ricardo advises state CIOs, health and human services leaders, and technology executives nationwide on the responsible adoption of AI and the modernization of compliance-intensive systems. His work has included advancing IT modernization strategies, aligning funding priorities with modernization goals, developing governance models for AI risk classification, and establishing repeatable frameworks for large language model integration.
A recognized thought leader, Ricardo has received honors including Central Texas CIO of the Year Orbie Award, Texas CIO of the Year and the TASSCC Trailblazer Award. He has completed executive education programs at MIT, Duke University and the University of Texas at Austin, and is widely recognized for translating complex innovations into sustainable public sector strategies.