Government Technology - March 2008 - (Page 27)

C I O , F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S SCOTTMcPHERSON Becoming CIO of the Florida House of Representatives in November 2006 was like coming full circle for Scott McPherson, a Florida native who was elected to the House at age 25. Since then, he’s been a legislator, political consultant, technology expert and disaster recovery authority. McPherson has been a technology and communications consultant for 19 years, and has written a weekly technology column that’s appeared in numerous major newspapers. He was also director of IT for the Republican Party of Florida. He led the state’s Y2K preparedness effort, which was the largest IT project in Florida’s history, and won several awards. He led the state’s successful revitalization of its partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau. He headed the state’s cyber-security effort, and then was appointed CIO of the Florida Department of Corrections. Now in addition to being CIO for the Florida House, McPherson is nationally recognized as an expert in preparedness for influenza pandemics. Obviously McPherson likes working in government. “To me, it’s a very rewarding experience — the fact that we’re able to actually implement change, implement efficiencies, and try to help people.” That desire to help motivated him to learn as much as possible about influenza pandemics. “Something inside of me said, ‘I’m an expert in disaster recovery. I’m an expert in contingency planning. I just ran one of the largest projects in the state’s history. I can certainly understand and recognize when there’s a risk,’” McPherson said. It’s a risk he felt compelled to investigate. His blog, on the subject, www.scottmcpherson .net is a key resource for many. Should a pandemic occur, IT continuity would be a huge factor, McPherson said. Much of society depends on digital technology. “If you have any disruption in that ability to move those ones and zeroes in cyber-space, you’re going to have a calamity,” he said. Although he’s accomplished a lot, McPherson is most proud of the Y2K success, knowledge from which has helped Florida’s efforts in information security, homeland security and pandemic preparedness. It’s symbolic of McPherson’s career. He’s done many things over the years, but they all fit together. JIM MEYERS, STAFF WRITER F I R S T L A D Y, W E S T V I R G I N I A GAYLEMANCHIN Ask Gayle Manchin to sum up her experience as West Virginia’s first lady, and she arrives at two adjectives to describe it: adventurous and extraordinary. A longtime educator, Manchin has used her position as a catalyst to transform West Virginia schools — a natural fit, given her background. “In the beginning I didn’t see it as being very different from what I had been doing,” said Manchin, who spent nearly 40 years in teaching-related positions. “I guess initially it was kind of a continuation.” In March 2007, her husband — Gov. Joe Manchin — appointed her to the West Virginia Board of Education to serve a nine-year term. Through her recommendation, the state is now consulting with Cisco on providing broadband access to remote areas. She also advocated for a technology development initiative for higher education institutions — student teachers can get simulation training on classroom management, which is now being used in various schools statewide. Manchin views technology as a vital resource for schools, particularly in such a rural state. She advocates distance learning and immersing technology in the school curriculum. But she doesn’t see computers as a replacement for teachers. “Teachers still have a great impact in students’ lives,” she said, “but I do think technology has the power to equalize schools and make sure students have the same access to the world and to learning opportunities.” Manchin said her position as first lady lets her make a significant impact on West Virginia education. “If I look at anything in my career, it’s that I was always looking forward,” she said. “It wasn’t until I was in this position for a while that I realized this truly is a window of opportunity to do more, be more, discover more and accomplish more.” Ultimately she intends to leave a legacy of improvement in West Virginia schools. “I will be able to look back and have evidence that we have improved the lives of children and families in West Virginia, that we have done it through a better, more equitable education system, a betterskilled work force, a better collaboration between education at all levels — from preschool to higher ed,” she said. “It isn’t something that I have done individually, or that Joe has done individually. But through passion, or compassion maybe, that we have excited other people to get involved, and by doing that we’ve been able to make some great strides. I would hope that would be our legacy.” KAREN STEWARTSON, MANAGING EDITOR “Teachers still have a great impact in students’ lives.” 27 http://www.govtech.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - March 2008

Government Technology - March 2008 Contents Point of View Big Picture The Last Mile On the Scene Four Questions for... Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers Let's [Not] Get Physical No Data Left Behind Conservation King Community Drug Test Reinventing the System Better Late Than Never Closing the Deal Spectrum Products Personal Computing signal:noise Digital Communities The Expanding Focus of Digital Communities The Digital Imperative Hot Fusion Redefining Municipal Wireless Made in the USA Bridge Detectives The 2008 Agenda

Government Technology - March 2008

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