People

Comings and goings

George Foresman, Virginia's chief of preparedness, nominated to be the Homeland Security Department's first official in charge of preparedness; Debra Stouffer, a well-known figure in private and government technology, has joined Digital Management.

People

Wynne wins confirmation

The Senate confirmed the nomination of Michael Wynne as secretary of the Air Force.

People

Ex-military official to lead VA reorganization

VA hires retired Army colonel with experience overseas to reorganize and consolidate IT shop.

People

DOD issues new labor, pay rules for civilian employees

Lawmakers have 30 days to review the 437 pages of regulations before they go into effect, barring litigation to block them.

People

DOD fills biz agency post

Army Maj. Gen. Carlos “Butch” Pair becomes the top acquisition official.

People

Summit: IT workforce must be diversified

Federal IT contractors share best practices and ways to improve opportunities for women and minorities.

People

OMB preparing to open shop for IT security LOB

The Office of Management and Budget hopes to begin setting up several lines of business for IT security in the next fiscal year, with the selection of the first centers of excellence.

Cybersecurity

Appeals court shelves shutdown of Interior computers

An injunction, issued Oct. 20, blocked the use of any systems with access to Indian trust fund data.

People

GAO: SSA is rushing disability claims system rollout

SSA is installing a nationwide electronic disability claims system without testing it end-to-end, government watchdog organization says.

People

Bush names DHS’ first undersecretary for preparedness

If approved, George Foresman would have a $4 billion budget to create a Preparedness Directorate at the department.

People

Database issues hurt National Guard and Reserve

New report criticizes the Defense Department for not enforcing a law that requires service members to inform DOD about their civilian employers.

Cybersecurity

OPM promotes Dillaman

As a senior OPM manager, Kathy Dillaman was a leader in automating the processing of personnel investigations.

People

VA will centralize IT budget, personnel authority over next year

The Veterans Affairs Department will put control of its IT budget and personnel under the department CIO—a sea change that should prevent future monumental IT system failures.

People

VA gives CIO power over budget

VA officials promise lawmakers they will centralize the agency's billion-dollar information technology budget in the CIO's office to control spending.

Cybersecurity

Interior to issue smart card identity credentials

The Interior Department’s National Business Center is setting up accredited procedures to issue smart card identity credentials for itself and other federal agencies.

People

Mass. CIO blames unions for IT hiring woes

But he said unions could play a useful role if they focus on providing training for members.

People

Turco named GSA acting deputy administrator

Kathleen Turco, chief financial officer at the General Services Administration, will become acting deputy administrator effective Nov. 1.

People

VA health IT gets new chief

Craig Luigart named to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health IT programs and services.

People

New York CIO to retire

James Dillon, New York's first CIO, said state governments are at a crossroads.

People

Academy elects 46 new fellows

The National Academy of Public Administration has announced its class of 2005 fellows.