State of Indiana

12/18/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/18/2024 08:30

Chief Information Officer Tracy Barnes to step down from the Indiana Office of Technology

Chief Information Officer Tracy Barnes to step down from the Indiana Office of Technology

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced Tracy Barnes willstep down as the Chief Information Officer & Director of the Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) after serving for more than four years as a key member of the governor's cabinet.

"Tracy has truly taken our state technology infrastructure efforts to the Next Level and brought solutions to growing cybersecurity issues at all levels of government," said Gov. Holcomb. "Within weeks of being named to the position, he and his staff implemented steps nearly overnight to keep the state of Indiana operating during the pandemic as well as developing longterm policy critical to state government operational security."

Barnes was appointed chief information officer and director of the IOT in March 2020. Under his leadership, the agency:

• Implemented cybersecurity protections for state employees and agencies, as well as working directly with local governments to assist them with cybersecurity training and preparedness

• Created the first agency earn and learn program to reskill Hoosiers into technology careers

• Delivered on a multi-cloud strategy to diversify cloud consumption and oversight capabilities

• Earned top national recognition for data governance and transparency efforts

• Became a leader in digital government efficiency and innovation, including being the first state to launch a full-site, generative artificial intelligence chatbot to cover information available on the state's website.

• Increased the number of services available to Hoosiers through Access Indiana, the state's single sign-on to 150 to simplify citizen engagement

• Led development of a centralized public records access portal to reach state agencies

Barnes previously served as chief of staff for the Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, where he facilitated the creation of the Indiana Broadband Office to support the growth and expansion of broadband connectivity services across the state, primarily in rural areas. He also was president and CEO of ENTAP, Inc., a national computer consulting services firm, for over ten years.

His last day is Jan. 10, 2025.

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