Georgia Gov. Kemp Names Shawnzia Thomas as State CIO

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has named Shawnzia Thomas as the state’s new chief information officer and executive director of the Georgia Technology Authority board, formally replacing former CIO Calvin Rhodes.

Thomas currently serves as the Georgia Department of Human Services assistant deputy commissioner and previously served as the executive director of the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity. She was also the director of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Corporations Division.

On June 10, Rhodes announced that he would be stepping down from the role at the end of the month, relinquishing his title as the nation’s longest-serving state CIO.

“It has been my great privilege to serve the state of Georgia and lead the Georgia Technology Authority for the past 10 years,” he said in a press release. “I have been surrounded by an exceptionally dedicated and skilled team who are motivated by their desire to transform government and better serve Georgians.”

As CIO, Rhodes led several efforts to improve Georgia’s IT, including creating an open source cloud platform and spearheading the development and construction of the Georgia Cyber Center.

On July 1, Thomas will pick up where Rhodes left off, bringing with her 13 years of experience working in state government.