[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced Tarek Tomes as the incoming Commissioner of Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) and the state’s Chief Information Officer. Commissioner Tarek Tomes brings both public and private-sector experience to the role, having most recently served as the first Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Saint Paul. Tarek will be succeeding Acting Commissioner William Poirier who withdrew his name from consideration.

“I am thrilled to have Tarek Tomes joining our team as MNIT Commissioner,” Governor Walz said. “Meeting the needs of an increasingly complicated technology era requires innovative and inclusive solutions from responsive leadership. As a recognized industry leader and experienced public servant, Tarek brings over 25 years of experience in managing technology and operations systems and building effective partnerships to provide Minnesota with the systems and solutions we need.”

“Technology has presented the business of government with exciting opportunities and serious challenges,” Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said. “We were committed to selecting a commissioner who was prepared to take on both opportunities and challenges with a thoughtful and innovative approach. Tarek has demonstrated his ability in transition and change management and the use of technology to improve the lives of Minnesotans across the state.”

“I am tremendously excited to join the Governor and Lieutenant Governor in building One Minnesota,” Tarek Tomes said. “The continual evolution of technology innovation opportunities has raised expectations for how government delivers services.  Supporting a culture that embraces reliable and secure delivery of digital services that improves the lives of Minnesotans is essential to support the One Minnesota vision. Strengthening relationships and keeping people at the center of solutions will be critical in the work we do.”

‘Each of our finalist candidates offered unique strengths to this CIO/Commissioner role. We were impressed by Tarek’s contagious excitement about the role and his ability to reimagine how our state's technology investments will improve the lives of all Minnesotans as they interact with state services and leaders,” said Theresa Wise, former CIO of Delta.

“I've known Tarek Tomes for over 20 years. He is an exceptional business technology leader with a deep appreciation for and understanding of how business and customer needs are always at the forefront of any technology decision,” said Matt Kramer, Vice President of University Relations at the University of Minnesota and former Chief of Staff to Governor Tim Pawlenty.

Incoming Commissioner Tarek Tomes will begin in his new role on Monday, April 29^th and Acting Commissioner Bill Poirier will resume his previous role as Chief Technology Officer until May 10^th to support a smooth transition. 

About Tarek Tomes

Tarek Tomes is the Chief Innovative Officer and former Chief Information Officer at the City of St. Paul. In these positions, Tomes was responsible for ongoing process improvements, human-centered design, and overall effectiveness of city services, resource, support, and opportunity. He set clear information technology goals that anticipated needs and were responsive to the City’s strategic plan and goals. Before joining the City of St. Paul, he served as Assistant Commissioner at Minnesota IT Services for six years and British Telecom for thirteen. An experienced professional with a background in both the private and public sectors, Tomes has facilitated data-driven decision making, implemented many critical enterprise projects, and improved workforce diversity and inclusion.

Tomes received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and attended Graduate School for Business Management at Boston University.

About Minnesota IT Services

Minnesota IT Services is responsible for the design and delivery of IT across all entities in the executive branch of the State of MN. MNIT sets IT strategy, direction, policies, and standards for enterprise IT leadership and planning, delivering enterprise and local technology solutions for Minnesota state agencies that transform how government brings services to the people of Minnesota.

About the Hiring Process

At the Governor’s request, Kathy Tunheim, the CEO of Tunheim Partners, convened an interview panel of private and public sector IT experts to screen the applicants. The hiring panel led by Tunheim consisted of ten members:

• Eric Hallstrom, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Management and Budget
• Chuck Johnson, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Human Services
• Richard Kolodziejski, Public Affairs Director, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees
• Rick King, Chief Information Officer, Thomas Reuters
• Theresa Wise, Former Chief Information Officer, Delta
• Ed Clark, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, University of St. Thomas
• Eduardo Valencia, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Metropolitan Airports Commission
• Bernie Gulachek, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, University of Minnesota
• Chris Pelzer, Information Director, Todd County
• Jay Sikkink, Information Director, Crow Wing County

The hiring panel screened 22 candidates and recommended three finalists. Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan interviewed the finalists and made their selection.

In the interest of transparency, the Walz-Flanagan Administration is releasing the names of the other finalists considered. They are Philip Haan and Mark Blais.