Key Takeaways:
- New Jersey’s Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has confirmed that Dave Cole will continue serving as the state’s Chief Innovation Officer.
- The New Jersey Innovation Authority (NJIA) has been established, making the state’s Office of Innovation an authority within the Department of the Treasury.
- The NJIA will have a 13-member board appointed by the governor, including members from the public and experts in data science and public engagement.
- The state’s innovation operation has helped over 65,000 people launch businesses, sparking $168 million in economic activity in 2024.
- The new law aims to position New Jersey as a leader in AI and government technology and innovation.
Introduction to New Jersey’s Technology Plans
The first clear signal of how New Jersey’s next gubernatorial administration plans to approach technology was revealed through a decision about who would stay in their current role. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill confirmed that Dave Cole will continue serving as New Jersey’s Chief Innovation Officer and leader of the New Jersey Office of Innovation (OOI). Cole has spent roughly five years at OOI, the past two as Chief Innovation Officer, and has helped advance several of the state’s most visible digital and service delivery initiatives.
Background and Experience of Dave Cole
Cole’s background includes hands-on work across state technology efforts, from pandemic response initiatives to digital service design and resident experience projects. He served in leadership roles, including senior adviser to the CIO and deputy director of new media in the Obama administration, and global vice president of strategy and operations at an AI-based technology startup. This experience will be valuable in his continued role as Chief Innovation Officer, as he aims to harness innovation to bolster the state’s economy and modernize how residents get services.
New Jersey Innovation Authority
On Monday, outgoing Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a bill establishing the New Jersey Innovation Authority (NJIA) and making the state’s Office of Innovation an authority within the New Jersey Department of the Treasury (DOT). The NJIA will have a 13-member board appointed by the governor, including members from the public and experts in data science and public engagement. This move aims to position New Jersey as a leader in AI and government technology and innovation. The governor-elect framed Cole’s continuation as a strategic choice grounded in experience and momentum, stating that she was "honored to have Dave Cole continue as our state’s Chief Innovation Officer."
Impact of Political Change on Technology Leadership
While New Jersey embraces continuity in tech, recent election cycles could reshape technology leadership for other state and local governments. In Virginia, the state constitution prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms, and Governor Glenn Youngkin’s departure will usher in a new administration, potentially placing state CIO Bob Osmond in an uncertain position. Locally, a change in Pittsburgh’s mayoral leadership had immediate consequences for the city’s technology team, with CIO Heidi Norman exiting her role at the request of the incoming administration. New technology leadership could impact the city’s broader innovation ecosystem, including initiatives like its PGH Lab incubator.
New Jersey’s Innovation Efforts
The state’s innovation operation has helped over 65,000 people launch businesses via the state’s online portal, sparking $168 million in economic activity in 2024. Officials working on innovation have also deployed the latest technology to state call centers, used data to bring "nutritious food" to more students, and reduced wait times for unemployment insurance applications, among other work. The new law comes with fresh data designed to illustrate the appeal of the new innovation authority. With the permanent establishment of the New Jersey Innovation Authority, the state aims to deliver more efficient and effective services for New Jerseyans, saving residents and businesses time and money, and furthering New Jersey’s reputation as a national leader in innovation.
Conclusion and Future Plans
The new structure of the New Jersey Innovation Authority stands up a model of what works: a data-driven, human-centered, and agile approach to improving critical services that support residents and grow the economy. As the state looks to the future, it is clear that innovation and technology will play a key role in shaping its economy and government services. With Dave Cole continuing as Chief Innovation Officer and the establishment of the NJIA, New Jersey is well-positioned to remain a leader in government technology and innovation. The state’s focus on using data and technology to drive efficiency and effectiveness will be crucial in addressing the complex challenges facing governments today.
