Government Technology names 2026 Top 25 public-sector tech leaders

By AI, Created 10:35 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Government Technology has announced its 2026 Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers, marking 25 years of honoring public-sector technology leaders across state and local government and education. The list highlights people using technology to make government services more accessible, responsive and effective.

Why it matters: - The awards program spotlights the people shaping how state and local governments, schools and universities deliver services. - The 2026 class arrives as agencies face pressure to modernize systems, expand access and adopt AI and cybersecurity tools with measurable results. - Government Technology says the program has honored more than 650 public-sector leaders over 25 years.

What happened: - Government Technology announced its 2026 Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers on April 30, 2026. - The program marks the 25th anniversary of the magazine’s flagship awards recognizing public-sector technology leadership. - This year’s honorees include CIOs, CISOs, AI leaders and educators from state and local government and education. - Read the winners’ stories at the full report.

The details: - Honorees are selected through a nomination process that draws on Government Technology’s data, editorial, events and executive teams. - The Center for Digital Education, a sister brand focused on K-12 and higher education technology leadership, also helps evaluate candidates. - External nominations are accepted. - Candidates are judged on leadership, forward-thinking approaches and measurable progress. - The honorees span large states, small jurisdictions and classrooms. - Government Technology said the common thread is a focus on improving people’s experiences through more accessible, responsive and effective services. - 2026 honorees include Liana Bailey-Crimmins, former CIO, California; Jorge Cardenas, CIO, Brownsville, Texas; Bruce Coffing, CISO, Chicago; Viggo Forde, CIO, Snohomish County, Washington; Robert Fulk, chief information and innovation officer, Indiana Secretary of State; Timothy Galluzi, CIO, Nevada; Cynthia Guerra, executive chief assistant public defender for operations, Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, Florida; Troy Horton, CIO, Illinois Health and Human Services Group; Michael Mayta, CIO, Wichita, Kansas; Melanie McDonough, chief innovation and AI officer, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Kelly Moan, CISO and head of Cyber Command, New York City; Ryan Murray, CISO, Arizona; Suma Nallapati, chief AI and information officer, Denver; Anthony O’Neill, CISO and chief risk officer, Massachusetts; Dru Rai, CIO, New York; Josiah Raiche, chief AI officer, Vermont; Denise Reilly-Hughes, CIO, Vermont; Kristi Rice, cybersecurity educator, Spotsylvania, Virginia; Anh Selissen, CIO, Texas Department of Transportation; Jason Snyder, CIO, Massachusetts; Art Thompson, CIO, Detroit; James Twigger, CIO, Tamarac, Florida; Jaime Wascalus, CIO, St. Paul, Minnesota; Mark Wittenburg, CIO, Raleigh, North Carolina; and Lin Zhou, VP, CIO and executive director for AI and quantum computing, Texas Tech University.

Between the lines: - The list shows how public-sector technology leadership has broadened beyond traditional IT into AI, cybersecurity, risk management and education. - The anniversary framing suggests Government Technology is using the awards to reinforce its role as a long-running gatekeeper for public-sector innovation recognition. - The mix of state leaders, city officials, county executives and school-focused specialists points to a broader definition of what counts as government technology leadership.

What’s next: - Government Technology will continue publishing winner profiles and related coverage tied to the 2026 class. - The awards program is positioned to keep tracking public-sector technology work as agencies navigate modernization and AI adoption. - Government Technology and the Center for Digital Education remain brands of e.Republic, which directs readers to learn more at www.erepublic.com.