Michigan governor names acting director of technology department

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced that Kyle Guerrant, the deputy state budget director, is the new acting director of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget.

Guerrant, who has held leadership roles in finance and education in the Michigan state government over the past 17 years, will officially start in the new role on Saturday, when the department’s current director, Michelle Lange, departs. The appointment comes as part of a shift in the state’s technology leadership following the resignation last month of longtime Chief Information Officer Laura Clark.

“Michigan has a deep bench of public servants who step up every day to get things done and make people’s lives better,” Whitmer said in a press release.. “At DTMB, Kyle will ensure that state government operations continue smoothly so Michiganders can access the services they rely on.”

Whitmer last month named Eric Swanson, director of the Center for Shared Solutions within DTMB, as acting state CIO after Clark quietly resigned to take a position with Michigan State University. Clark had served as CIO for nearly five years, overseeing cybersecurity initiatives and statewide digital services, including efforts to secure millions in funding and launch the Michigan Secure mobile app.

In addition to the DTMB transition, Whitmer also announced that Terry Sabo, an Air Force veteran and former Michigan legislator, will take over as director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency at the end of January.