California’s chief technology officer stepped down

California’s top technology leadership ranks continue to shift — first, with the retirement of former state Chief Information Officer Liana Bailey-Crimmins in March, followed by state Chief Technology Officer Jonathan Porat.

Porat stepped down from his role at the California Department of Technology on April 21, said Diana Nguyen, a spokesperson for the department, following nearly three-and-a-half years in state government. He joined the agency in December 2022 as chief technology innovation officer before being named CTO the following year.

During his tenure, Porat helped shape California’s statewide digital strategy. He played a role in the state’s emerging technology work, including early artificial intelligence pilot projects like Poppy, an AI-powered digital assistant designed for use by state employees.

“So the guiding principle behind Poppy has been: for state workers, by state workers, built by us here at the state. Everything is built around the idea that a state worker is using it,” Porat said in an interview about Poppy in February. “It’s great that not only can we have an AI tool that’s this accessible, but it’s an AI tool that’s secure and really grounded and built off of state data.”

Before joining California, Porat served for four years as a technology client engagement manager with the City of Seattle and held a role as an economist with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s advocacy office. According to his LinkedIn profile, he started in government as a student volunteer at the Office of Management and Budget’s information and regulatory affairs office before serving for a year as one of OMB’s policy analysts.

The state has not named Porat’s permanent replacement. His departure adds to a number of leadership changes ahead of California’s gubernatorial transition this year (Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited), which is sure to bring shifts in the state’s technology strategy.