Governor McCrory Selects Next State Chief Information Officer

Governor Pat McCrory announced today that he has selected Keith Werner as the next State Chief Information Officer (CIO). Werner most recently served as Deputy State Chief Information Officer and succeeds Chris Estes, who returned to the private sector last month.
 
“Keith is the perfect choice to continue the momentum we have made in the area of information technology in the state,” said Governor McCrory. “He has been instrumental in helping to build the new Department of Information Technology, which will provide clear accountability and efficiency for the governance and management of IT across the state.”
 
Werner has been serving as acting State CIO since Estes’ resignation. Governor McCrory cited his experience in making the appointment permanent.
 
Earlier this year, Werner was appointed as the Chief Information Officer for Natural and Economic Resources, which includes the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and the Department of Commerce. He had been CIO at DEQ since 2013.
 
“I am privileged to take on this role and am honored to serve as North Carolina’s Chief Information Officer,” said SCIO Keith Werner. “I look forward to continuing to fulfill the governor’s vision of transforming IT from a collection of uncoordinated backroom operations to a critical driver of the state’s total infrastructure.”
 
Werner and his team will continue the implementation of the new Department of Information Technology, which the governor called for in his 2015 State of the State address, as well as continue to execute on the governor’s vision of using technology to be more efficient and effective in serving the citizens of North Carolina.
 
Werner has more than 20 years’ experience as a business leader and manager with a diversified background in information technology and product development. He is experienced in recruiting, sales, business development, solution management, service delivery, practice leadership, and management. 
 
Werner received a management degree from the University of North Texas.
 
He lives in Raleigh with his wife and two sons.
 
Werner will begin his role as State CIO immediately.