Treasury CIO resigns, makes way for career executive

The Treasury Department's chief information officer will resign his post on April 30, officials confirmed Friday.

In a recent letter to President Bush, Drew Ladner said he was ready to return to the private sector, and that his mission to improve "information technology governance, operations, and policy…is complete."

"While I am proud of the measurable results that have been achieved, it is time to convert the CIO position back to the original civil service role," added Ladner, a political appointee.

A Treasury spokeswoman said Ladner's replacement would be announced at a later date.

Ladner came to the department's top technology post in March 2003. He was the first permanent CIO following the departure of Jim Flyzik, who left the department in 2002. During his tenure, Ladner managed a $2.6 billion technology budget. His portfolio included the largest telecommunications network of any civilian agency. He was active in a number of electronic government initiatives under the President's Management Agenda.

Prior to his government service, Ladner was managing director of Clasis Capital, a technology investment and advisory firm. He also worked with AOL Time Warner, Ripcord Systems and Netscape Communications. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a master's degree in theology from the University of Oxford. Heis a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.

Ladner has been credited with changing Treasury's technology spending strategy. The CIO's office now approves all the department's technology spending. Ladner also won praise for improving information security.

Ladner commended Bush for his "commitment to stewarding taxpayer dollars wisely," which he said "has enabled sweeping change in the federal IT community."

Ladner could not be reached to discuss his reasons for leaving or his future plans.