October 20, 2022 – California Department of Technology welcomes four executives appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Suzie Changus has been appointed State Chief Technology Officer. In her previous position, she served as Chief Information Officer at the California Prison Industry Authority in Folsom, CA. While serving in this position, Changus managed a $12 million annual technology budget and $30 million project portfolio budget. While at the agency, she established a new Project Management Office and partnered with agencies to develop an Information Security Collaborative. In her career, Changus has garnered valuable experience in both the private and academic sectors.
Governor Newsom appointed Jonathan Porat as State Chief Technology Innovation Officer. Previously, Porat was the City of Seattle’s first Information Technology Engagement Manager. He ran the City’s Client Engagement Team to encourage City employees and residents to use innovation and data to better meet business and policy goals. Porat worked across org charts and governments leading initiatives with City Executive Directors, frontline staff, the City’s Council, the Washington State Legislature, and even the US Congress to identify business and policy problems, find innovative tech solutions, and ensure that they were sustainably managed for years to come. Previously, Porat worked at the US Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy leading the policy analysis on small business impacts from technology, labor, and other regulations and in the Executive Office of the President leading the management of national technology policy goals.
Also joining CDT is newly appointed Deputy Director of Legislation Edmond Cheung. Cheung has over a decade of experience in the California State Assembly during which time he has served as Chief of Staff, Committee Consultant, and Legislative Aide. As Chief Consultant to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee, Cheung advised members on technology and consumer protection policies related to the telecommunications, broadband and passenger transportation industries. Additionally, Cheung spearheaded negotiations over legislation that provided millions of additional funding for the state’s broadband and universal service programs, as well as legislation governing net neutrality. He has also led numerous legislative oversight hearings on topics including the state’s emergency alerts systems and student access to the internet for distance learning.
Finally, Brenda Bridges-Cruz will start a new role at CDT as the Deputy Director of Special Projects. Previously, she served as Deputy Director of CDT’s Office of Professional Development, where she was responsible for the oversight of statewide IT professional development initiatives and programs. Before joining CDT, Bridges-Cruz served as the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Covered California and has more than 20 years of private and public sector IT experience.