**
Cloud Forum on the horizon: It pays to pay attention to the California Department of Technology’s blog. This month, CDT posted an early heads-up about a new forum coming to state IT: the Cloud Smart Community Forum. As CDT explains: “Cloud Smart is a long-term, high-level strategy to drive cloud adoption. Sometimes, the journey to cloud computing can feel a bit intimidating if not downright daunting. Many questions often arise: Is a cloud architect needed? What about a solutions architect with limited knowledge of cloud implementations? Where can I find the best training? How much training is enough? The objective of the Cloud Smart Community Forum is to provide a convenient place to sort out these kinds of questions by sharing knowledge, stories, experiences, and information about implementing cloud computing throughout California. Forum members will have the opportunity to make new connections and build ongoing relationships to strengthen California’s evolving cloud community.” The initial soft launch is a first step designed to improve the soon-to-come full-scale production release of the Cloud Smart Forum, CDT notes. “Comments are being gathered for the next release that, ultimately, will lead to a community of various forums. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon.”
**
Nods for a neighbor: It’s been an exciting couple of weeks for Folsom-based Pondera Solutions. The company (almost a next-door neighbor to Techwire) garnered two moments in the spotlight recently. First, it was chosen — again — for membership in the prestigious GovTech 100, an annual list compiled and published by Techwire sister publication Government Technology as a compendium of 100 companies focused on, making a difference in, and selling to state and local government agencies across the United States. “I absolutely love the spotlight this list shines on gov tech companies,” founder and CEO Jon Coss told Techwire. “And the fact that we’re on it makes it really great.” Pondera and Coss were also featured in a recent Sacramento Business Journal story about how the growing startup is recruiting for significant growth, seeking to add two-dozen people to its staff. The firm, which Coss founded in 2011, specializes in detecting and preventing waste, fraud and abuse in government. More recently, it has added health-care fraud detection to its portfolio. Coss was a Northern California finalist last spring in EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
**
Calbright is recalibrating: Only a few months after enrolling its first class of students, Calbright College, California’s new online community college, is rebooting its leadership. CEO Heather Hiles, who had worked in technology, venture capital and philanthropy before taking the helm at Calbright College, has been placed on paid administrative leave and will be leaving the position in March. CalMatters tells the story: “Hired in February at a salary of $385,000, Hiles called the Calbright job a career-capping challenge, expressing hopes to draw on experience creating the digital portfolio site Pathbrite to help the college develop its own custom technology. But some of Hiles’ actions raised eyebrows — like the signing of a $500,000 no-bid contract with a politically connected executive recruiter to fill top positions. …” The story further quotes a letter from the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, issued after Hiles was placed on leave: “We continue to question the value of Calbright. Unfortunately, new leadership alone will not fix this inherently flawed use of state resources.”
**
Smile and say, ‘I voted’: In a nod to the ubiquity of technology (and to call additional attention to the state’s “get out the vote” campaign), the office of California Secretary of State Alex Padilla has issued a reminder that “ballot selfies,” once considered verboten, have been legal since 2016. “A voter may now take a photograph of their ballot (a “ballot selfie”) and share it on social media,” says the advisory from the Secretary of State’s Office to California’s clerks and registrars of voters. “While ‘ballot selfies’ are now allowed under California law, elections officials and poll workers will still need to exercise their discretion as to whether ‘ballot selfies’ cause disruptions requiring a response.” The advisory also includes reminders about laws governing electioneering and soliciting, intimidating or otherwise disturbing the polling place.
