Christine Sekuda, the governor’s nominee for state chief information officer and administrator of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, was confirmed March 7 by the Senate Committee on Labor and Technology during a hearing at the State Capitol in Conference Room 224.

Sekuda told the committee that a chief data officer and a data task force are already working on data-sharing and AI policies and that her office is developing training and certification opportunities for the enterprise IT workforce. “AI is top of mind for everyone. When I met with all of the department directors, everybody wants to use AI,” Sekuda said, adding that ETS is refining data-use policies and coordinating AI work with other state CIO offices.

The committee’s confirmation matters because the Office of Enterprise Technology Services sets enterprise standards and supports departments’ technology needs statewide. Senators and department directors who testified said the CIO role is central to efforts to modernize systems, improve cybersecurity and make state services more efficient.

Committee members asked Sekuda about cross-department cooperation, workforce training and the state’s approach to artificial intelligence. Sekuda said ETS is building programs that “support certification and training” for current staff and hopes to partner with the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism on workforce development. She described ETS work on data governance and an AI policy framework intended to complement cybersecurity rules and to guide departments in responsible use.

Multiple agency leaders testified in support. Keith Regan, comptroller for the Department of Accounting and General Services, said Sekuda engaged with agencies even before formally starting and has pushed ETS to improve enterprise service and cross-department collaboration. Luis Salaveria, director of finance, told the committee he has worked with every state CIO and said, “I think Christine has the potential to be the best CIO we’ve ever had.”

Committee members also discussed practical steps ETS is taking: creating data-use guidelines, formalizing AI and cybersecurity alignment, and expanding certification paths so departments can better maintain systems and recruit staff. Sekuda said ETS has an internal model to credential the team and is looking for ways to expand that model across state departments.

The committee’s decision record shows the recommendation to “advise and consent” for the governor’s message on Sekuda was adopted; the transcript does not record a full roll-call vote for this item.

Sekuda succeeds the prior CIO in a role that will oversee the state’s efforts to reduce legacy systems, strengthen cyber defenses and guide responsible adoption of AI tools. The committee's confirmation moves Sekuda from nominee to confirmed state chief information officer; next steps for ETS include publishing the refined data-governance policies and beginning broader workforce training partnerships.

Provenance (topicintro): “Aloha. Aloha, chair, senator Moriwaki, senator Ihara, members of the committee. My name is Christine Sekuta, and it is my privilege to, have the opportunity to testify in my capacity and my nomination as a state chief information officer.” (Transcript block starting at 3395.725)

Provenance (topfinish): Committee recorded recommendation and adoption for GM 641 (Office of Enterprise Technology Services, state CIO) in decision making later in the hearing; transcript notes the recommendation was to advise and consent and was adopted (decision blocks at ~5609.795–5617.655).