A New IT Leader Takes on the State's Troubled Tech

The state finally has a new leader for the troubled Information Technology Department -  Tarek Tomes, who completes Gov. Tim Walz's cabinet. After botched state technology projects such as Minnesota's new drivers licensing and vehicle registration system, MNLARS, his appointment proved to be a long, difficult road.

“I’m looking for someone who has a deep knowledge of technology, deep understanding of how to turn cultures. I’m looking for visionary leadership of what’s next over the horizon. Someone who has the political skills to be able to work with the legislature in a divided legislature. The response was, if we find that unicorn, we'll send him right over to you,” Gov Walz said.

"I’m not so sure I’m a unicorn," Tomes responded. "I have a tremendous, tremendous passion for technology."

Tomes has a quarter century of public and private sector technology experience, living and working around the world. He played basketball in Germany and has two children playing for the Air Force Academy. As a coach, he's used to pressure and has launched big projects before. "The state of Minnesota supports an application portfolio 2,800 applications large," he said. "That’s large - that’s as big as any Fortune 50, 500 company, billions of transactions.”

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