Two states have recently announced the upcoming retirement of their CIOs by the end of this month. The State of Vermont and the State of Alabama both shared the news of their respective CIOs’ retirements and revealed their respective replacements.
Shawn Nailor, who has been with the Secretary of Vermont’s Agency of Digital Services (ADS) for most of its history, is retiring from his position at the end of the month. Nailor joined ADS in late 2017 as Deputy Secretary, serving for five years before being appointed as Interim Secretary and CIO in late 2022, and eventually assuming the permanent CIO role in January. Vermont Governor Phil Scott acknowledged Nailor’s 35 years of dedicated service, stating, “Shawn has been a committed public servant for over three decades, and Vermonters are better off because of his work and contributions to state government. His experience and work ethic proved valuable as we established the new Agency of Digital Services, and as we faced unforeseen challenges brought by the pandemic, which increased our reliance on digital solutions. I thank him for his dedicated service and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”
Denise Reilly-Hughes will step into the role of CIO for the agency in an interim capacity. With over 20 years of industry experience, Reilly-Hughes assumed the position of ADS Deputy Secretary in January, around the same time Nailor was appointed as permanent CIO. Prior to her current role, she held various leadership positions at Microsoft and PC Connection Services.
Marty Redden, who officially became CIO in 2019 and has served in various capacities with the State of Alabama for the past 16 years, will also be retiring at the end of this month. In a recent announcement, Redden expressed his aspirations for the agency, saying, “My goal from day one was to leave the agency in better condition than when I arrived, and I’m proud to have positioned the Office of Information Technology to continue to meet the technology challenges of the future.”
Daniel Urquhart will assume the role of permanent CIO for Alabama’s Office of Information Technology, effective July 1st. With over two decades of experience in various technology leadership roles for the state, including 18 years with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency in multiple management positions, Urquhart expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve on Governor Ivey’s cabinet and lead the Office of Information Technology. “I am deeply honored that Governor Ivey has offered me the opportunity to serve on her cabinet and lead the Office of Information Technology,” said Secretary Urquhart. “Secretary Redden has done a tremendous job with the agency during his tenure, and I plan to build on the success and vision of his leadership. OIT is anchored by a highly-skilled, technical workforce, and I am humbled to work with such dedicated people who provide services to state agencies, commissions, boards, and the citizens of Alabama.”
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