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State CIOs Prioritize Staff and Digital Services

New management shifts emphasize transparency and agency relationships to drive state technology modernization efforts.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of interlocking stone prisms, representing the modular modernization of state government digital infrastructure.
State CIOs are shifting management strategies to prioritize internal staff relationships and iterative digital service experiments to modernize state technology infrastructure. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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State chief information officers are adopting new management strategies to prioritize staff relationships and digital service models. These approaches focus on building trust across agencies to scale modern technology solutions effectively.

Why it matters

Building internal trust and optimism within state agencies is essential for scaling digital service models. CIOs must provide clear evidence of successful outcomes to encourage broader organizational adoption.

86% of CIOs currently identify customer relationship management as a primary operational goal, while 80% focus on transparency to support modernization. These initiatives follow recent leadership changes in key states.

The players

Bry Pardoe

The current chief information officer for Pennsylvania who previously led the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience.

Sarah Tuneberg

The current chief information officer for Colorado who formerly served as director of the state's digital service division.

The details

CIOs are conducting extensive outreach to staff across state agencies to better understand internal challenges and set common goals. By implementing small, iterative experiments, they aim to demonstrate concrete technology outcomes that foster agency support.

Timeline

  1. 2023: Bry Pardoe began as executive director of the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience.

  2. 2024: Sarah Tuneberg served as director of the Colorado Digital Service.

  3. October 2025: Bry Pardoe assumed the role of Pennsylvania CIO.

  4. May 2026: Colorado announced a major realignment of its IT operating model.

  5. June 2026: Sarah Tuneberg assumed the role of Colorado CIO.

Market Landscape

This transition mirrors the broader shift toward digital service models in state government by moving away from legacy IT structures. It positions states to better compete for technical talent and improve inter-agency cooperation through centralized digital hubs.

Citizens may see improved government service delivery as state agencies adopt more agile and transparent technology models. These management shifts aim to reduce bureaucratic friction and modernize the digital tools used by state residents daily.

The takeaway

Success in state IT modernization depends heavily on interpersonal communication rather than just technical deployment. Leaders should focus on securing staff buy-in through transparency to ensure that digital service experiments lead to long-term systemic improvements.

Further reading

Learn more about the leaders shaping government technology in the United States People section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Route Fifty.

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Do you believe prioritizing internal staff relationships helps improve government digital services in your area?