The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced today that it has tapped Terry Carpenter to serve as the agency’s new chief information officer (CIO) and chief technology officer (CTO), as part of a broader IT reorganization marked by the establishment of an independent Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).
NSF said establishment of the OCIO was fueled by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, aligning with ongoing efforts to develop cutting-edge technologies. The agency said the new office will provide the necessary resources and expertise to accommodate anticipated growth in the years ahead.
“I am confident that the reorganization of our IT functions will propel NSF to new heights of innovation and efficiency,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “This strategic initiative reflects our solid commitment to delivering unparalleled IT services and solutions across the agency.”
Carpenter, who will spearhead OCIO operations, joined NSF in July 2023 as a senior adviser to Director Panchanathan. In this role, he helped the agency to think about scaling technology services for mission growth. He previously served as the CTO at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).
NSF also announced that Chief Data Officer Dorothy Aronson will serve in an additional role as the assistant CIO for artificial intelligence.
Aronson has served as the agency’s CIO for over five years but early last year announced her plans to transition out of the role. An NSF spokesperson told MeriTalk that Aronson has served as CIO until Carpenter took the helm.
Aronson has a lot on her plate, as NSF recently announced that she is also serving as the agency’s chief AI officer (CAIO), leading the agency’s efforts to advance President Biden’s recent artificial intelligence executive order (EO).
Other leadership changes announced today include Dan Hofherr as chief information security officer (CISO) and assistant CIO for operations, and Teresa Guillot as assistant CIO for enterprise services.
“This strategic realignment will ensure that IT, technology innovation, and data are supported by centralized structure and resources — elements critical to the agency’s mission now and in the future,” NSF said in a press release. “It also reinforces NSF’s commitment to President Biden’s priorities for Federal agencies to smartly pursue responsible AI and aggressively protect information through rigorous cybersecurity practices.”
NSF previously attempted to reorganize its IT functions in February of last year. At the time, NSF said it was looking to establish a new office – the Office of Business Information Technology Services – that would be led by an individual who would serve as both the CIO and CTO.
Nevertheless, it seems as though the OCIO has beat out the Office of Business Information Technology Services, with Carpenter assuming the pivotal CIO and CTO roles.
