Caltrans is tasked with helping maintain, upgrade and plan out the infrastructure system for the nation's most populous state — more than 39 million people and counting — where roadways are built through the middle of the Mojave Desert, snow-covered peaks in Tahoe and on the sides of coastal cliffs. Being able to manage that varied infrastructure is a constant challenge.
One way to tackle this problem head-on is to realize you are not in it alone, said Caltrans CIO George Akiyama, winner of the California Public Sector CIO of the Year award on Thursday. “This win is really a win for my whole team,” said Akiyama. “There is no way I could have done this by myself.”
Akiyama was appointed CIO of Caltrans in December 2015. He previously served as IT manager at CalPERS since 2012 and in the same position for the Franchise Tax Board starting in 2011. He also served as deputy director and CIO for the Financial Information System for California from 2009 to 2011, and as IT manager at the Franchise Tax Board from 2001 to 2009. He started his career with the state in 1995.
Recently Akiyama has worked to unify all facets of IT at Caltrans, including IT planning, application development, infrastructure and security. He has demonstrated visible leadership of approximately 600 staff at Caltrans, said California State Transportation Agency CIO Marcie Kahbody. “He is committed to public service, the development of IT leaders and the continued maturation of the IT program at Caltrans,” Kahbody said.
Since Akiyama joined Caltrans, the department oversaw hiring of Mike Nguyen as chief technology officer and Karl Kopper to serve as chief information security officer. The department has been able to focus on public-private partnerships too.
In April 2016, Caltrans began its free data-sharing partnership with Waze, the navigation app powered by drivers, in which each will share data to provide the public with better traffic and road information. CalTrans feeds data to the app — road closures, road maintenance locations and more — while Waze relays data on traffic congestion gathered via the app's users.
Furthering business partnership opportunities at Caltrans will continue to play into the agency’s long-term plans. The department is issuing an internal Business Intelligence road map, Akiyama said. That document is slated to be released in November 2017.
Caltrans also works with many universities throughout California, calling on some of the state's brightest minds to create a more effective, efficient and safe transportation infrastructure. “Partnerships are the key to success,” Akiyama said. The thinking is that, because of constrained budgets, agencies will have to be more willing to admit that it's not possible to do everything themselves.
Caltrans has been a key force in the implementation of a CIO Communication Program to ensure consistent communication at all levels of IT. In accepting his award, Akiyama said it was a win for his entire team. From the road construction workers who put themselves on the front line where some have tragically lost their lives, to the executives who understand that improving safety conditions is of paramount importance, he dedicated the award to them. Akiyama also called out members of his own team during the award ceremony to receive applause, and said how instrumental they were in receiving the award.
After honoring his teammates, Akiyama challenged his fellow IT leaders in the audience to take the time to help build their teams.
“We’ve got to develop our teams; we’ve got to inspire them. We’ve got to breathe life into our organizations," he said. "You start by doing what is expected of you, and then you do what’s possible, and then your team can do what’s impossible."
Accomplishments
Program Management Improvements• Launched California State Highway Collision Data Automation Project to expedite the collection and analysis of collision data.
• Launched a Business Intelligence Program Roadmap effort to educate, evaluate, and plan for the future BI environment at Caltrans.
• Initiated a Call Letter process to capture and plan for all significant IT projects across Caltrans.
• Completed sixteen enterprise-wide reforms associated with the Construction Management System.
Strategic Management
• Developed an IT Strategic Roadmap to provide a long-term framework for future IT initiatives.
• Established an IT Business Plan for short-term initiatives.
• Implemented Key Metrics to track and measure overall IT performance
• Implemented a CIO Communication Program to ensure consistent communication at all levels of IT.
Source: Public Sector CIO Academy Awards Program
