Technology Business Management Chair Tapped to Lead Government’s Tech Innovation Shop

The General Services Administration’s technology innovation arm is getting a permanent leader, the agency announced Friday.

Anil Cheriyan, an industry chief information officer, will be taking over the reins of the Technology Transformation Services beginning in January.

Cheriyan has a long career in technology and business management in the private sector. He retired from SunTrust Bank in March, where he served as an executive vice president and CIO. He has also done stints at IBM and PwC.

Cheriyan is also the chairman of the board of directors for the Technology Business Management Council, a non-profit group that espouses the virtues of Technology Business Management, or TBM, a framework for connecting IT investments to mission outcomes. Federal agencies are under a mandate to adopt TBM practices, per the President’s Management Agenda.

As director of TTS, Cheriyan will oversee the government’s internal tech consultancy, 18F, as well as the Office of Products and Programs and the Presidential Innovation Fellows. He will also be responsible for administering the Centers of Excellence—a set of contracts and advisory groups currently working with the Agriculture Department and Housing and Urban Development to improve core digital and IT services.

“Anil has a proven track record of results in the private sector and we are excited to welcome him to public service,” said Jared Kushner, senior advisor and son-in-law to President Trump, whose Office of American Innovation has pushed TBM and the Centers as major federal initiatives. “Anil joins a strong and growing bipartisan team of exceptional talent, focused on delivering results for the American people.”

When he starts in January, Cheriyan’s official title will be director of TTS and deputy commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service.

“I am honored to be a part of the president’s agenda to fundamentally transform and modernize the federal government’s technology,” Cheriyan said. “It comes as no surprise this work has bipartisan support and is highly valued across the government. I am confident we will make tremendous progress in the years to come and look forward to leading the TTS team and serving the public in this important role.”

Kelly Olson has been leading TTS on an acting basis since August. In an email to GSA staff, Administrator Emily Murphy said Olson will be returning to her previous role as TTS chief of staff.