Tong took over the state government's top tech post in March, when Carlos Ramos, who was appointed state CIO in June 2011, retired from state government and launched a consulting firm.
Tong has worked in California state government for more than 20 years in positions of increasing responsibility. She was appointed deputy director of the Office of Systems Integration in July 2014 and previously was named the California State Lottery’s deputy director of information technology services — its CIO — in December 2012.
Prior to joining the State Lottery, Tong was the chief technology officer for the State Board of Equalization. She also has served as the assistant division chief of technology and support division as well as chief of the data center at CalPERS and worked in technology at the State Water Resources Control Board.
Tong has a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems and an MBA from California State University, Sacramento.
Tong was not immediately available to comment on Thursday.
The Department of Technology is in transition. Michele Robinson left her position as state chief information security officer in March. Andrea Wallin-Rohmann, the department's chief deputy director of policy, will move in July to a new position for the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. Deputy Director and Chief Counsel Anthony Lewis accepted a position as assistant general counsel at the State Compensation Insurance Fund.
The department also is pivoting as the Executive Branch puts more emphasis on innovation initiatives, open data and agile development. A new Digital Innovation and Technology Engagement Office launched recently within the department.
This article was originally published on TechWire.
