State Chief Information Officer, Chris Cummiskey, & Las Artes Arts and Education Center in South Tucson will receive Distinguished Service to State Government Awards from the National Governors Association (NGA). The awards will be presented Sunday, July 13th, during the NGA Centennial Meeting’s plenary session.
Cummiskey was appointed State CIO & director of the Arizona Government Information Technology Agency in 2003. During his more than 5 years in that position, he has distinguished himself through his ability to form powerful coalitions of business, education, non-profit, government & community stakeholders to transform government service delivery & implement innovative technology strategies.
"Chris has been a powerful agent for positive change in Arizona during his 17 years in public service,” Governor Janet Napolitano said. “I have called upon Chris time & again to inspire government innovation & manage transformation initiatives. His strong leadership skills have led to the creation of Arizona 2-1-1, Arizona Health-e Connection, the Project Management Certification Program, & the Statewide Information Security and Privacy Office, just to name a few.”
Las Artes Arts & Education Center in South Tucson creates ceramic tile murals to beautify inner city & rural communities while offering youth who have dropped out of school a chance to earn their general education degree. This unique mix of intensive instruction, support & artistic engagement has improved the lives of 428 out-of-school youth for more than a decade. More than 70 public art works throughout Pima County have been produced by Las Artes student.
"Las Artes has been a powerful catalyst for individual and community self-improvement through public art, each making a highly visible statement about culture & pride,” Napolitano said. “I am proud of the accomplishments & contributions of Las Artes students.”