George Okamoto started Sept. 19 as the agency information officer of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
Okamoto previously was deputy director and CIO of the Department of Toxic Substances Control for the last three years. He replaces the retiring Carlos Quant, who has been the labor agency's CIO the past six years and held a variety of positions in California stretching back more than three decades.
Okamoto began his technology career in state service and has worked in technical capacities for several California agencies and departments.
At the the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Okamoto was responsible for all software development, data management, network infrastructure, information security and information systems within the organization.
Prior to joining DTSC, Okamoto was a senior IT manager for the Department of Insurance and a network architect for the Department of Conservation. He has also held positions at the Department of Justice, Department of Water Resources, Franchise Tax Board and Employment Development Department.
He studied management at the University of San Francisco.
The California Labor and Workforce Development Agency was created in 2002. Under its umbrella are the Employment Development Department, Department of Industrial Relations, California Workforce Development Board, California Public Employment Relations Board, Agricultural Labor Relations Board and other entities.
