Two months after retiring as a state employee, former California CIO Carlos Ramos is busy launching his own business focused on bringing leading-edge technology solutions to the public sector.
His new venture, called Maestro Public Sector Strategies, is working with Silicon Valley companies that have keyed in on the commercial sector but haven't yet pursued business opportunities in government.
Ramos said he's working with these companies to develop a go-to-market strategy and business case for the public sector.
"In some cases it's companies that are adapting their established solutions with more innovative approaches, and some companies that have an innovative solution that's already been tested and in place only in the commercial sector, but not in public sector," Ramos told Techwire on Wednesday.
Ramos did not identify by name the companies he's consulting, but did say one them is a firm that delivers self-service and self-provisioning of IT infrastructure on user-friendly platforms similar to Amazon, social media or an app store.
Ramos, a resident of Elk Grove, Calif., said he's the principal of his business and is working with a few associates right now, and is targeting not just California state government but eventually local, state and federal public sector across the country.
During nearly five years as state CIO, Ramos said he saw a need for innovative approaches for the challenges government has, and the potential for consumer-focused products to solve some of those problems.
Ramos said Wednesday some companies still are frustrated doing business with government, and he sees his consultancy as being a bridge between Silicon Valley and state government.
After leaving state government in March, Ramos said he heard from several companies and organizations.
"I thought, 'Why limit myself to just one?' Why not go out and find out who's doing the good stuff and bring a number of them around?" Ramos said.
