Governor appoints Mike Hussey as new head of Technology Services
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 19, 2015) - Gov. Gary R. Herbert has appointed Mike Hussey to lead the Utah Department of Technology Services. After 32 years of service in state government, Mark VanOrden will retire effective Nov. 12, 2015.
“To know Mike is to like Mike. He has great enthusiasm and an abundance of expertise,” Gov. Herbert said. “He will be a valuable member of my Cabinet and will capably lead Utah in its delivery of digital services.”
In this role, he will continue the department’s efforts to increase efficiency and bolster cybersecurity efforts. He will also have an important role working with the Utah Technology Council and the private sector to foster the growth of Utah’s more than 5,700 technology companies.
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity,” Hussey said. “Utah is well known for its innovative e-government initiatives, and I look forward to working with Governor Herbert to make Utah government even more transparent and more efficient.”
Prior to his appointment, he was the information technology manager for the Utah Department of Technology Services. He has also served as a member of the IT team for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget under Gov. Michael O. Leavitt.
Hussey helped create the largest CD-ROM database network in the nation, which was crucial to the University of Utah research efforts. He played an important role in encouraging government transparency, including the use of streaming audio from the House and Senate floors to the Internet. In addition, he helped design, develop and implement a critical software application that centralized the statewide voter database for the Lt. Governor’s Office. In 2013, Hussey received the Governor’s Award for Excellence for Outstanding Public Service.
