Ed Kelly has just finished his third year as the state CDO and his seventh with the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR), capping a career that began in 1995.
In a LinkedIn message posted Sunday, Kelly writes: “I have officially submitted my notice of retirement effective September 16th to the State of Texas. The decision is bittersweet as I have had such a tremendous 16+ year career working at the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Agriculture and most recently, and with the fondest memories, as the Chief Data Officer, for the Department of Information Resources.”
Before being named state CDO in September 2019, Kelly had served as DIR’s statewide data coordinator, also serving on the Texas Interagency Data Coordination and Transparency Commission. Previously, he had served as the chief administrative officer for the Texas Department of Agriculture, a role in which he oversaw management of IT, human resources, facilities, risk and records management, licensing, and emergency management for the agency.
Kelly’s state service also included four years with the Texas Department of Public Safety, where he served as assistant chief and then chief of information management services. Kelly’s career in the private sector included positions with Dell EMC, Dell Financial Services, Evergreen Data Continuity, Unisys Corp., Styx Capital and TEK Systems.
Texas’ technology leaders responded with supportive replies to Kelly’s post:
State Chief Information Officer Mandy Crawford: “Thank you for your leadership and service to Texas, Ed. You will be greatly missed!”
State Chief Information Security Officer Nancy Rainosek: “Congratulations, Ed! You will certainly be missed! Thank you for all you’ve done for Texas!”
In his LinkedIn message, Kelly wrote: “As I look back on my time of public service, I will always remember the people that made the difference in my life and our success,” Kelly wrote. “Without the support of my supportive management, inspiring colleagues, outstanding teams, encouraging partners, and some of the very best friends we would never have been able to accomplish all the great things that I now leave behind. I truly have been blessed. With much gratitude and appreciation, I wish everyone all the best as I look to the next chapter of my life. Thank you all for everything you have done for me!”
This article was originally published by Industry Insider-Texas, Government Technology's sister publication.
