State

Wyoming governor picks South Dakota IT chief as new CIO

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has picked South Dakota CIO Jeff Clines to serve as Wyoming's new top tech official.

August 19, 2024

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon thanks speaks at an event at the State Capitol in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Dec. 14, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard / Jacqueline Marshall)

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon last week announced he’s picked Jeff Clines, chief information officer of South Dakota since 2020, to be the state’s new CIO.

Clines will take over for Chief Information Security Officer Aaron Roberts, who has served as interim CIO and director of the Wyoming Department of Enterprise Technology Services since April. Clines’ his first day will be Sept. 9, according to a news release.

Roberts took over the role after interim CIO Timothy “TR” Sheehan resigned last April for a job at the IRS’s criminal investigation division.

“In this era of persistent cybersecurity threats, it is imperative that our state’s technology remain up-to-date and that we competently address cybersecurity challenges in order for our state government to function effectively,” Gordon said in the release. “Jeff brings experience from leading a similar agency in South Dakota. He is an excellent choice for this important role.”

In South Dakota, Clines served on Gov. Kristi Noem’s Cabinet as commissioner of the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications. He oversaw the statewide IT organization that, among other functions, is responsible for broadband administration, including a network serving 151 school districts. The tech bureau also manages about 700 websites and web applications, the state’s two-way radio system, which transmits communications for first responders using 54 towers, along with the state’s data centers and IT support center.

Before joining South Dakota, Clines served as CIO for the Illinois Secretary of State’s office and as director of enterprise applications for the American Heart Association. According to his biography on the South Dakota website, Clines grew up in Wyoming and Colorado.

“I am thrilled to join Wyoming’s ETS team and deeply grateful for the trust and leadership of Governor Gordon, his administration, and the dedicated professionals at ETS,” Clines said in the news release. “I eagerly anticipate collaborating with this talented group, and the leadership across state agencies as we work together to serve Wyoming citizens.”