Szczurek is perhaps most notably the co-founder and CEO of Radish Systems LLC, which is a tech communications company based in Boulder, Colo. Szczurek is described on her LinkedIn as “a serial technology entrepreneur and role model for technology leaders ... a senior global executive and strategist who has served on board of directors of business-oriented organizations.”
In the press release, Gov. Jared Polis, who took office on Monday, lauded his first round of appointments, saying, “This cabinet is one of the most talented groups of people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I can’t wait to tackle some of Colorado’s most pressing issues with this team.”
Szczurek replaces Suma Nallapati, who left the position in November after the new governor was elected, returning to Dish Network, where she started her IT career as a programmer in 1997. Nallapati returned to Dish Network as the company’s chief digital officer.
Szczurek is also a rare female appointee among state CIOs. She becomes one of only four women to hold state CIO positions — not including acting or interim CIOs — with Arkansas, California and Tennessee being the others. Both California and Tennessee, however, have recently elected new governors, which means a change in CIO is possible.
