Overview

February 25
10AM PT, 1PM ET

Register

The Center for Digital Government’s Digital States Survey provides the opportunity for state information technology organizations to highlight the great work being done in digital government, benchmark with their peers and identify trends for the future. This year’s survey will focus on the technology landscape, both today and in preparation for the future. Please join Chief Programs Officer, Teri Takai and Surveys and Awards Director, Janet Grenslitt as they walk you through this year’s survey – the overall structure, what’s new including the new Artificial Intelligence category and approaches to assist you with the survey. We are happy to announce that we have planned regularly scheduled touch points on Fridays where you can check in with us with any survey questions throughout the entire process. 

We will be joined by State CIO’s to discuss how they use the survey, their approach to the survey submission and tips for success.

Join the webcast to learn:

  • The objectives and intent of the survey
  • How to navigate the survey tool
  • Next steps and timing for survey submissions
  • Any questions

Anyone working for state government who will be involved in the survey is encouraged to attend.

We look forward to your participation in the 2026 Digital States Survey!

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Speakers

John Hoffman headshot

John Hoffman

Chief Technology Officer, Dept of Information Resources, State of Texas

John Hoffman serves as the Chief Technology Officer for DIR, leading the state’s technology strategy. Since joining the agency in 2010, he has held multiple network and security leadership roles and brings more than 30 years of technology experience. He oversees technology planning, contract and service development, and DIR’s Technology Guidance and Innovation functions to support the effective use of state IT resources.

Jared Johnson headshot

Jared Johnson

Deputy State Chief Information Officer and Chief Deputy Director, State of California

Jared Johnson’s public sector career spans over 30 years in technology, beginning as an IT Analyst at the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency. He devoted more than 15 years to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), where he held various business, technology, and managerial roles, including serving as Operations Manager for the Enterprise Data to Revenue (EDR) project, one of California’s most ambitious tax system modernization efforts. Implemented from 2011 to 2016, the EDR project transformed the state’s tax processing technology through a phased approach that streamlined operations, improved analytics, and enhanced the taxpayer experience. This initiative generated approximately $3.7 billion in additional revenue during its initial phase and continues to deliver an additional $1 billion annually.

In 2021, Jared brought his technical and administrative expertise to the California Department of Technology (CDT), where he served as Deputy Director of Data Center Support Services directing operations of the State Data Center. He now serves as Deputy State Chief Information Officer and Chief Deputy Director, overseeing the department's $797 million operations and leading statewide strategies, programs, and services including the $3.87 billion Middle Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI).

Bill Kehoe headshot

Bill Kehoe

Director and State Chief Information Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Bill Kehoe joined Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) as the director and state CIO for Washington on August 1, 2021. He has pursued an agenda focused on innovation, resident engagement, creating a data driven culture and service excellence collaborating with agencies to drive project success and improve the resident experience.

Prior to WaTech, Bill was the CIO for Los Angeles County in California from 2017-2021, where he managed enterprise security, information management, enterprise architecture and technology consulting services for 37 county departments. He also served as an advisor to the Board of Supervisors and the Chief Executive Officer regarding enterprise technology strategy, policy and governance.

Bill has a long history of managing information technology departments in local and state governments, including more than 15 years in Washington state agencies and counties. Before working as CIO for Los Angeles County, he was the CIO and Information Department director for King County in Washington from 2010-2017 and served as the first CIO for the Department of Licensing from 2002-2010.

Shawnzia Thomas headshot

Shawnzia Thomas

Executive Director, Georgia Technology Authority & Chief Information Officer, State of Georgia

Shawnzia A. Thomas has worked in Georgia state government for more than 13 years, with an emphasis on integrating technology to improve constituent services and better serve Georgians. In July 2021, she was appointed Chief Information Officer for the State of Georgia and Executive Director of the Georgia Technology Authority by Governor Brian P. Kemp.

Previously, Ms. Thomas served as Assistant Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services. Previously, she was Executive Director of the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity and Director of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Corporations Division.

A native of Macon, Georgia, Ms. Thomas received her undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University and Master’s in Public Administration from the University of West Georgia. She is a Commissioner on the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity’s Advisory Board and member of the Hospitality Ministry at Chapelhill Church in Atlanta. Ms. Thomas was named to the Atlanta Business League’s list of Top 100 Women of Influence for 2021 and received the 2022 Golden Gov: State Executive of the Year award from StateScoop.

Janet Grenslitt headshot

Janet Grenslitt

Surveys and Awards Director, Center for Digital Government

Janet Grenslitt is the Center for Digital Government’s director of Surveys and Awards. She manages the Center’s flagship surveys and awards programs for state and local government. Working with subject matter experts, she created the Digital Cities and Digital Counties surveys more than 15 years ago. Prior to joining e.Republic, Janet managed programs for state and local government in Florida, North Carolina and California. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Duke University, with a certificate in Social Administration from Hull University in England, and her Master’s degree from University of California at Berkeley.

Teri Takai headshot

Teri Takai — Moderator

Chief Programs Officer, Center for Digital Government

Teri Takai is the Chief Programs Officer of the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. She worked for Ford Motor Company for 30 years in global application development and information technology strategic planning. From Ford, she moved to EDS in support of General Motors. A long-time interest in public service led her to the government sector, first as CIO of the State of Michigan, then as CIO of the State of California, and subsequently the CIO of the U.S. Department of Defense, the first woman appointed to this role. She then served as the CIO for Meridian Health Plan. She is a member of several industry advisory boards. Teri has won numerous awards including Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year, CIO Magazine’s CIO Hall of Fame, Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers, the Women in Defense Excellence in Leadership Award, and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

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