New Energy CIO brings IT skills to job
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The Energy Department's new chief information officer said he believes his diverse background in information technology acquisition, architecture and policy at the Air Force has prepared him well for the federal CIO ranks. "I view my job as providing a focus and coordination in IT across the department," John H. Gilligan said.
The Energy Departments new chief information officer said he believes his diverse
background in information technology acquisition, architecture and policy at the Air Force
has prepared him well for the federal CIO ranks.
I view my job as providing a focus and coordination in IT across the
department, John H. Gilligan said.
Gilligan, 47, served for the past six years as the Air Forces program executive
officer for battle management at the Pentagon. He managed a $1 billion IT portfolio for
the Air Forces acquisition executive.
I was looking for something new to do, Gilligan said. When DOE called
me, I felt that the job was different and fit my background. I felt I could come in and
help out in a variety of issues.
Two of those issues include year 2000 readiness and information assurance.
The department has gotten off to a slow start on year 2000 readiness, so I think
I can contribute there, Gilligan said. Energy has a lot of cyberassets, so we
have a responsibility to computer security under Presidential Decision Directive 63.
The directive requires that 22 agencies help devise a security plan to protect the
nations critical information infrastructure from cyberterrorism. Energy must,
among its other responsibilities, provide vulnerability reports on the nations power
and utility grids.
To get a feel for his new job, Gilligan over the next two months will make courtesy
visits at headquarters and field offices around the country to introduce himself, get to
know IT employees and their concerns and call attention to Energys most pressing
issues.
Mr. Gilligan brings the right set of skills and talents to help the department
meet these important strategic goals, Energy Secretary Bill Richardson
said. Under his leadership, I am confident that the departments
mission-critical systems will be positioned for the next millennium. In
addition to year 2000 readiness and computer security, Gilligan will oversee IT
management, acquisition and capital planning and investment.
Gilligan replaces Spain W. Woody Hall, who left to become CIO at the
Treasury Departments Customs Service.
Prior to the Air Force Pentagon post, Gilligan was director of resources in the Air
Forces Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Command, Control, Communications and
Computers Headquarters. He also was the Air Forces director of C4 software
architecture and policy.
Gilligan has received several awards during his career, including the Air Force
Civilian Meritorious Service Medal, Senior Executive Service Bonus Award and Senior
Executive Service Meritorious Rank Award.
A Pittsburgh native, Gilligan earned masters degrees in business administration
from Virginia Tech and computer engineering from Case Western Reserve University, and a
bachelors degree in mathematics from Duquesne University.
Gilligan also has taken Federal Executive Institute courses, the Systems Acquisition
Management Course for General and Flag Officers and the Program for Executives in National
and International Security course at Harvard University.