People and Careers

Tricia Foster Replaces DeVries as Michigan Tech Director

Foster will serve as the director of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, though it is unclear whether she will assume the duties of the CIO position as well.

January 03, 2019 •

1/9/2019 update: A spokesperson for the DTMB has confirmed that Foster will not serve as CIO, and the department will gain a new CIO "in the coming weeks."

Tricia L. Foster is the new director of the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, joining a slate of new senior advisers in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration.

Whitmer’s Dec. 28 announcement follows the departure of David DeVries, the former chief information officer for Michigan, who also served as director of the state's Department of Technology, Management and Budget under Gov. Rick Snyder. It is not yet clear if Foster will also serve as CIO for the state.

Foster is the former senior managing director and chief operating officer of CBRB/Martin and CRBE/Grand Rapids, a real estate investment firm, where she worked for more than 20 years. Foster also served as treasurer for Whitmer’s gubernatorial campaign.

“Trish has vast leadership experience and a deep commitment to public service,” Whitmer said in a statement. “She will provide the guidance needed to ensure our state government is responsive and adaptive to the needs of our residents.”

Whitmer was sworn in as Michigan’s 49th governor Jan. 1.

Skip Descant

Skip Descant writes about smart cities, the Internet of Things, transportation and other areas. He spent more than 12 years reporting for daily newspapers in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and California. He lives in downtown Yreka, Calif.

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Tricia Foster Replaces DeVries as Michigan Tech Director

Foster will serve as the director of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, though it is unclear whether she will assume the duties of the CIO position as well.