According to the CIOs of Delaware and New Hampshire, advancing digital government is often a matter of convincing other state officials it's a good idea.

Sometimes projects run into roadblocks. Delaware CIO James Collins says the keys to advancing are diligence and persistence.

The new program follows on a 2017 initiative designed to cut costs and streamline government operations.

Collins replaces Oklahoma CIO James "Bo" Reese. Texas CIO Todd Kimbriel will serve as group's vice president.

Solomon Adote, who previously worked for the state as a network analyst, was most recently an information security manager for multinational chemical manufacturer FMC.

The state wants to connect 127,700 homes and businesses that currently lack high-speed internet service within the next two years.

A group of 13 top statewide CDOs wrote in support for the Federal Data Strategy initiatives, but is asking for closer collaboration with state and local government stakeholders.

The resulting work could lay the groundwork for a new corporate filing system as the state renews its interest in the emerging record-keeping technology.

Starkey had worked in state government for 22 years, the last 13 as Delaware's top cybersecurity official.