During his time leading IT for the state, Baltzell helped to improve Indiana's infant mortality and child fatality rates using data analytics, worked to launch open data-based innovation initiatives and earlier this year, spoke of his time in helping to launch a new security center in partnership with Purdue University called the Indiana Information Sharing & Analysis Center -- a central piece of Pence’s cybersecurity upgrade plan that is being implemented over the next two years.
Baltzell also was one of Government Technology's Doers, Dreamers and Drivers for 2015 as part of Team Indiana, which included Pence and Chris Atkins, director of the state's Office of Management and Budget.
“Paul Baltzell has played an influential role in the continued success of the Indiana Office of Technology, and his expectations of innovation, efficiency, and creativity will be missed,” Pence said in a press release. “We wish him the best in his new role, and are thankful for his service to the state of Indiana and Hoosier taxpayers.”
His last day is Friday, Oct. 9, at which point his replacement will step in, according to the release.
Pence named Dewand Neely the new CIO and director of the Office of Technology, noting that he was one of the Indiana Office of Technology's initial employees. Neely initially joined Indiana government in 2003, working for the Family and Social Services Administration. When the Office of Information Technology was formed in 2005, Neely was asked to be one of its first employees, where he assisted with statewide IT consolidation efforts.
"His extensive experience with the agency will prove critical as we continue to work toward innovation and efficiency within state government,” Pence said in the release.
Neely currently serves as deputy CIO overseeing the Office of Technology's Seat Services program, where his responsibilities include managing an annual operating budget of $27 million and overseeing a staff of 90 employees responsible for providing IT support for all state agencies.
