Tennessee names former health care, finance executive as new CIO

Jim Bryson, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, on Monday announced that Kristin Darby, a former health care and finance executive, will be the state’s new chief information officer.

Darby will take over for Stephanie Dedmon, who is set to retire at the end of June after serving as Tennessee’s CIO since 2018 and more than 20 years service in the state. Dedmon announced her retirement in December to spend more time with her family.

An administration spokesperson told StateScoop Darby’s first day will be March 31.

As CIO of the Volunteer State, Dedmon led the Strategic Technology Solutions division of the finance and administration department, advancing work in automation technologies and generative artificial intelligence. She also served as president of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers in 2022.

At a NASCIO conference last September, Dedmon told StateScoop that robotic process automation had been deployed at 16 agencies. She also said an “AI partner vendor experience day” had convened 300 attendees, including 23 vendors, who showcased how AI might improve operations inside the government.

“Stephanie has been a visionary leader and an advocate for transformation, innovation, and security,” Bryson said in a news release. “Her dedication has advanced our technology capabilities and our comprehensive strategy, better preparing us for the future. I wish Stephanie all the best as she begins her well-earned retirement.”

According to a news release, Darby has more than 25 years of executive experience across the health care, finance, operations, biotech, cybersecurity and insurance sectors. She’s currently an independent director with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. She was previously the CIO at HarmonyCares, a California health services firm. She also held CIO roles at Envision Healthcare, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Vanguard Health Systems/Tenet Healthcare and the Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions.

“I look forward to working closely with Kristin as she continues to make significant strides in technology innovation and service delivery for our state,” Bryson said in the news release. “She brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record for success in transformative and strategic technology leadership to the people of Tennessee.”