Jessica Chan is the new deputy director for the Technology and Administrative Services Division for the office, which comes under the umbrella of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). Chan succeeds Quentin Wright, who was named in March to be the department CIO for the California Department of Technology.
“Jessica is a positive, energetic and collaborative leader,” CalSTA Deputy Secretary and Agency Chief Information Officer Marcie Kahbody told Techwire in an email. “She not only understands technology but also has a great knowledge of administrative policies and procedures. She is a great addition to my team.”
Chan’s goal as CIO, according to a statement from the agency, is to “stay at the forefront of emerging technologies, continue to promote a collaborative approach that enhances services for the public and agency partners that ultimately allows the OTS to meet their mission of saving lives.”
Chan told Techwire in an email: “I am honored to have this opportunity and very happy to be a part of the fantastic team at OTS.” In her LinkedIn profile, Chan lists her areas of expertise as data analysis, system administration and change management.
Chan began her career in state service in 2010 with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). She held a variety of positions in the ensuing eight years, including working in Budgets, the Information Systems Division, the Information Technology Service and in Project Management, and as administrator of the IT Service Management system. It was while working on a project to modernize systems to develop budget plans that she directed her career toward new and emerging technologies.
Since Chan joined OTS in the fall of 2018 as an IT Specialist, she has led technology efforts to modernize business processes, including the launch of a digital signature program that significantly improves the development of grant agreements, according to a bio provided by CalSTA. Additionally, the agency said, she was instrumental in the implementation of a Learning Management System for employees, using a library of resources to provide employees with critical training and career growth.
“An advocate for efficient and user-friendly systems, Jessica brings a can-do attitude and collaborative approach to working smarter,” the agency said in a statement.
Before beginning her state service, Chan worked in sports marketing and sales, first with the Sacramento River Cats and then the Sacramento Kings and Monarchs.
Chan, a native of Cotati in Sonoma County, earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from California State University, Sacramento, as well as a master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix.
