Dru Rai has left the role of chief digital and information officer of industrial process fluids company Quaker Houghton to join the state. He now takes up the post of CIO and director of the New York State Office of IT Services, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today. His official start date is Oct. 2, the state said in an email.
In his new position, Rai is charged with overseeing the state’s digital transformation efforts, defending the state systems from cyber threats and improving residents’ user experience, among other areas.
For the past six months, Jennifer Lorenz held down the CIO post in an acting capacity, following Tony Riddick’s departure. Lorenz will now become the executive deputy CIO, where she will collaborate with Rai on the strategic IT vision.
“We will lean on the expertise of ITS to bring about a digital transformation that will improve the user experience and strengthen the trust between New Yorkers and their government,” Rai said in a press release. “And we will promote collaboration across state agencies to ensure alignment with the state’s strategic IT objectives, common technology solutions that work not just for some but for all, and a commitment to listening to our partners during every step of the journey from idea to delivery.”
Rai comes with a long history of private-sector experience, previously having worked for aluminum packaging solutions company Ball Corporation, DuPont Coatings, GE division GE Advanced Material and Ernst & Young.
Additionally, he has also volunteered as the CIO of Goodwill Industries International and the American Cancer Society, and graduated from India’s GB Pant University and from the University of Connecticut.
