James Collins has been nominated to become the next Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Delaware Department of Technology and Information.
If confirmed by the State Senate, Collins would succeed Jim Sills, who will become CEO of Mechanics and Farmers Bank in September after serving as in the post since 2009. State Technology Chief Operating Officer William Hickox will serve as Acting CIO immediately following Sills’ departure.
“James understands that nearly every initiative we undertake as a state involves information technology,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “His expertise in this field along with his impressive record of developing and implementing innovative services make him an ideal candidate to serve as the state’s Chief Information Officer.
Collins, who earned a Master of Science in Managing Innovation and Information Technology from Champlain College in 2005, spent ten years as the Director of Delaware’s Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) in the Department of State. He served simultaneously as Deputy Secretary of State from 2009 – 2013, where he helped to manage nearly 600 employees and expand the state’s e-Government initiatives and use of information technology.
Collins also led the establishment of the Delaware Prescription Monitoring Program database to combat a statewide prescription drug abuse problem. The system, used by a significant portion of Delaware physicians, serves as a tool for to prevent drug-seeking “doctor shoppers” from abusing prescription medications.
Collins left the Department in January to become the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, a position that includes acting as Markell’s policy advisor on issues relating to the technology department.
“I am thrilled and humbled to be nominated by Governor Markell to lead DTI,” said Collins. “If confirmed, I will take very seriously the agency’s most important obligation to safeguard the state’s data and information systems, and to provide agencies with strong support in order to help them deliver the highest quality services to our ultimate customers – the people of Delaware.
“I know the state is highly dependent on secure information systems that are functioning at their highest levels. If given the opportunity to serve, it will be my priority to work with the talented team at DTI to make the agency’s expertise and assistance readily available for these initiatives.”
Prior to joining the Department of State, Collins implemented large-scale computer technology projects as a senior consultant with Peregrine Systems, an enterprise software company, and Maximus Inc., a leading operator of government health and human services programs.
Collins, 44, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wesley College in 1997, while serving in the United States Air Force for nearly nine years, before finishing his military career at Dover Air Force Base.
