According to a report in POLITICO this morning, Vivek Kundra, the first official Federal CIO and principle architect of the government’s technology strategy, is expected to leave the White House in August.
Considered by many as an innovative leader who has pushed government agencies towards cloud computing / virtualization, creating better online experiences for citizens and shifting government to be more innovative, Kundra’s departure would be a significant loss for the Obama administration.
Prior to joining the administration, Kundra was the CTO for the District of Columbia, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Technology under Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.
The report of his departure suggests he is leaving the administration for a position at Harvard, but his exact role remains unclear.
What do you think Vivek Kundra’s departure from the White House as CIO means to the government and government contractors?
This blog post originally appears on GovWin.com at:Report: Vivek Kundra to Leave White House in August
Michael Hackmer is the Senior Community Manager of GovWin, a Deltek network that helps government contractors win new business every day. He also blogs on Colliding with the Social Web and is the host of Social Web Radio. He can be reached at [email protected], or you can follow him on Twitter @hackmer.
***************************************************************************************************************************************
RELATED CONTENT:
What Did Kundra REALLY Accomplish (And Who Should Replace Him?)
***************************************************************************************************************************************
Kundra did a great job. Moved government IT forward significantly. Created an important nexus between IT and public affairs by promoting transparency. Effects will be felt for years to come.
I am still impressed with how Kundra rose to such success in a career only 2 years longer than mine. I think he has been a smart mind that has been coupled with the best of luck circumstances to get the jobs he had and the visibility. Its a true example of that if you work hard, you can be rewarded for it. I know he gets the credit, but we should really thank those who did the implementations of the projects in which he championed.
As a career government professional I have to admit I have a jaundiced view of appointees in general. IT is an ongoing and ever-changing landscape. Does Mr. Kundra really believe that his work here is finished; that he has nothing more to contribute? He seems like just another appointment who found something more profitable to do than work for the common good.