New Kentucky CIO trades the Big Apple for bluegrass

Moving from the Big Apple to the bluegrass state, James Fowler is set to begin work as the state’s next chief information officer on June 1.

Fowler, who has served as New York City deputy commissioner of the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications since 2010, was appointed CIO by Gov. Steve Beshear on April 30.

“Jim has the experience, leadership and professional expertise that will be of tremendous value for leading Kentucky’s information technology efforts and employees,” Gov. Beshear said announcing the appointment. “His background in both the private and public sectors was a major factor in our decision to bring him to Kentucky.”

Fowler will manage Kentucky’s Commonwealth Office of Technology, including more than 650 employees, which is in the midst of a comprehensive executive branch IT infrastructure consolidation effort.

“I am very excited to be taking on this new challenge,” Fowler said during the appointment. “Gov. Beshear has outlined an aggressive agenda to advance the effective and efficient use of information technology throughout state government, and I look forward to helping the Commonwealth achieve the goals outlined in this vision.”

Prior to his role in NYC, Fowler held CIO positions with the Chicago Transit Authority and the New York City Transit Authority. Private sector positions included York International Corporation, and Navistar International Truck and Engine Corporation.