Dean Johnson Leaves Georgia for Leadership Role at Ensono

Dean Johnson has left his job as chief operating officer for the Georgia Technology Authority for a senior position with Illinois-based IT, cloud and consulting firm Ensono — just as activity in the state, local and education (SLED) market is heating up.

Johnson has become Ensono’s new senior executive government advisor. He will use his more than 35 years of public- and private-sector experience to help Ensono deepen relationships with vendors and outside advisers as well as expand SLED activities and add clients.

“When we look at what we need to grow within the public sector, Dean exceeds all criteria,” said Clint Dean, Ensono’s vice president for state and local government and education. “Dean is widely respected in the SLED vertical and across the IT industry. His reputation for driving digital transformation, cultivating strong relationships and enabling innovation make him a terrific addition to our team at a critical period of high growth for Ensono.”

Ensono credits Johnson with crafting partnerships between Georgia and private-sector technology companies on IT infrastructure and managed network services projects. Johnson’s work has saved the state of Georgia nearly $400 million in 10 years, according to his new employer.

“The public sector is at a pivotal moment for digital transformation, and it was important to me to join an organization that is helping to move government agencies forward,” said Johnson. “Ensono brings together people, process and technology to serve the ever-changing business needs of its clients, and I am confident the dynamic hybrid IT work that Ensono does will resonate with all states across this nation. I look forward to making an impact on the company’s growing public-sector practice.”

Johnson joins Ensono as SLED efforts gain steam across the country. SLED-related IT spending will hit $100 billion this year, according to gov tech company immixGroup. About 40 percent of that spending will flow from state governments, with counties, cities, school districts and higher education accounting for the rest. Meanwhile, public works and transit agencies have stepped up their SLED-related technology activities, at least judging from an analysis of RFPs in 2020 by market research provider CJIS Group.

Johnson stands as the latest Ensono hire of a well-known government technology professional. Phil Wittmer, who worked as the chief information technology officer for Kansas between August 2015 and February 2018, serves as public sector adviser for the company. An Ensono spokesperson, however, said Wittmer will leave at the end of the month “to take on new challenges.”

Back at the Georgia Technology Authority, Sunil Aluri has taken over as chief operating officer, according to the agency. His career has included positions at Unisys, Oracle and other organizations.