He had worked as Clark County’s deputy CIO since February 2021 and replaces Nadia Hansen, who held the job for two years before leaving to join the private sector.
Leek will lead a team of some 200 workers, with a mission to drive “innovation to efficiently deliver cost-effective, robust solutions that provide faster and better ways for employees to do their jobs and for residents of Clark County to access services,” according to a Clark County web posting.
According to a statement announcing his hire, Leek brings more than three decades worth of public- and private-sector information technology experience to his new job.
He worked as CIO for Multnomah County, Ore. — which includes Portland — regional IT director for the health-care company Kaiser Permanente, and application development director for Egghead Software, which no longer exists. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Berry College in Rome, Ga.
Leek could not be reached for immediate comment, but in the statement outlined the situation he faces in taking over as CIO for a dynamic county where 2.3 million people live and more than 45 million other people visit each year, at least according to pre-pandemic figures.
“We live in an unprecedented time with our phones and devices serving as our connection to work and each other, and the county is focused on responding to this new demand to more fully engage those we serve as they seek our assistance or conduct business with us,” he said. “In doing so, we can address the digital equity gap that so many experience daily and bring services to those who need it most through affordable, high-speed Internet connectivity and solutions to help ensure that all our residents can participate in the growing digital economy.”
Indeed, the push for more digital equity is driving CIO work and discussions across the country. For its part, Clark County said it is “leading efforts” to help homes and businesses in underserved areas gain more digital access via fiber.
“Mr. Leek has extensive experience managing large capital projects, developing strategic plans and implementing systems,” said County Manager Yolanda King in the statement. “He has a positive attitude and collaborative leadership style that will not only benefit the Information Technology Department and Clark County, but also our constituents through enhanced connectivity and the leveraging of technology to meet their needs.”
