June 23, 2009 By Matt Williams
The Virginia General Assembly will investigate this month's dismissal of CIO Lem Stewart, after he questioned Northrop Grumman's performance on a 10-year, $2 billion contract to modernize the state's computers and IT, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
Virginia's CIO is overseen by the state's Information Technology Investment Board. The board's chairman, James McGuirk, said Stewart was released two weeks ago because of a "difference in tactics," not poor performance, according to the Post.
Stewart told the board at an emergency meeting in May that he planned to withhold money from the company because of substandard service. Board members said at the time they thought the action wasn't necessary, according to the newspaper. Northrop Grumman has offices in Arlington, Va.
Stewart, whose five-year contract ended in February, was working on a month-to-month contract, and will stay on as a consultant until a permanent replacement is found. Virginia Secretary of Technology Leonard Pomata will also serve as acting CIO in the meantime.
Paul W. Taylor, chief strategy officer of the Center for Digital Government, said deciphering exactly why Stewart was let go is further complicated by Virginia's governance structure: Its CIO reports to the board and the secretary of technology reports to Gov. Tim Kaine.
Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces
427 Members
77 Discussions
84 Files
Latest members Become a member
Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces
669 Members
145 Discussions
150 Files
Latest members Become a member
Based off of discussions of the Digital Communities Large Jurisdiction Chief Information Officer (CIO) Working Group, this white paper aims to answer the question, "In today's economic, political and business environment, what constitutes a successful relationship between government and industry?" Cause for Optimism identifies and clarifies the issues that separate government and industry, and begins to find an answer to the question necessary for both to enjoy a successful and prosperous future.
Don't miss this opportunity to see the latest in digital government solutions, keep abreast of current policy issues and network with key government executives, technologists and industry specialists.
Digital Communities News In Your Inbox
Subscribe to Digital Communities
Digital Communities (DC) is e.Republic‘s local government program. The particular strength of DC is its focus on encouraging collaboration and creating productive relationships between and among cities, counties, regions and select private sector companies uniquely positioned to help improve the delivery of public services.
Subscribe | View Digital Issue