EPISODE · Jun 16, 2026 · 19 MIN
E75: Appointments, State IT Leadership, and the Risks of Being ‘At the Pleasure’
from Gov Tech Today · host Russell Lowery
On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss how California government transitions affect thousands of gubernatorial appointees and the broader technology landscape, especially with an uncertain governor’s race and early “lame duck” dynamics. They use the departure of longtime state technology leader Liana Bailey Crimmins and the arrival of a new state CIO as a case study in how leadership changes ripple through procurement, priorities, staff retention, and vendor relationships, while core operations continue. The conversation explains the difference between political appointees and Career Executive Assignments (CEAs), including at-will risk, return rights, and why CEAs are sometimes called “career-ending assignments.” They argue that “personnel is policy,” urging listeners to prepare accomplishments, elevate strong public servants, and build relationships with the managers who will remain through future administrations. 00:00 Welcome to Gov Tech Today 00:14 California Transition Stakes 01:42 Positioning for New Governor 03:10 CIO Departure Shockwaves 06:37 Keeping Projects Moving 09:21 Explaining CEA Roles 11:25 Return Rights and Risks 14:07 Personnel Is Policy 15:58 Transition as Opportunity 18:19 Build Middle Manager Ties 19:32 Wrap Up and Thanks
What this episode covers
On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss how California government transitions affect thousands of gubernatorial appointees and the broader technology landscape, especially with an uncertain governor’s race and early “lame duck” dynamics. They use the departure of longtime state technology leader Liana Bailey Crimmins and the arrival of a new state CIO as a case study in how leadership changes ripple through procurement, priorities, staff retention, and vendor relationships, while core operations continue. The conversation explains the difference between political appointees and Career Executive Assignments (CEAs), including at-will risk, return rights, and why CEAs are sometimes called “career-ending assignments.” They argue that “personnel is policy,” urging listeners to prepare accomplishments, elevate strong public servants, and build relationships with the managers who will remain through future administrations.
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E75: Appointments, State IT Leadership, and the Risks of Being ‘At the Pleasure’
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