Comptroller Lierman Names Agency’s First-Ever Chief Information Officer
Former Baltimore County CIO brings more than two decades of experience to transform the agency’s aging technology to be more user-friendly for taxpayers
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 7, 2023) - Comptroller Brooke Lierman today announced the appointment of the agency’s first-ever Chief Information Officer.
Following the recommendations of her Transition Team in the recently released Comptroller’s Transition Report, Comptroller Lierman selected Robert W. O’Connor, who most recently served as Chief Information Officer for the Baltimore County Government Enterprise. He will lead the Comptroller’s Office in modernizing the agency's technology, moving from an antiquated mainframe system to a cloud-based platform to better serve Maryland taxpayers.
“I am thrilled that we are moving swiftly to hire the agency's first-ever Chief Information Officer and I know that Rob O'Connor will help fulfill my vision of modernizing the office to deliver the best service to Marylanders and create a truly data-driven agency,” Comptroller Lierman said. “The Office of the Comptroller faces huge tech challenges but also incredible opportunities. I know that working with our current team members, Rob will help develop and implement a strategy to ensure we are running a secure, twenty-first-century operation.
“Louis Goldstein liked to brag that he took the Office of the Comptroller from pencil and paper to the mainframe. Now it's time for us to take our office from the mainframe to the cloud.”
Mr. O’Connor, who worked in Baltimore County for 24 years overseeing system access for 10,000 users and 25 county agencies, a staff of more than 230 employees, and a $100 million budget, is looking forward to transforming the Comptroller’s Office’s technical capabilities in his new role.
“I am honored to serve Maryland and the Comptroller’s Office as the new CIO. I look forward to working with Comptroller Lierman and this incredible team,” Mr. O’Connor said. “Throughout my career of centralizing and building strong IT teams, I have learned that a positive culture and hardworking people are the greatest paths to success. Under the leadership and vision of this office, we will continue to modernize, secure, and create user-friendly systems that improve efficiencies and foster collaboration among state agencies to build a more equitable Maryland for all.”
One of the Transition Report’s key findings was the need to modernize the agency’s technology, paramount to collecting and analyzing data, managing risk, administering taxes, and processing payments. With enhanced technology, local governments, the public, and other partners would benefit from access to information housed in the Comptroller’s Office. And, with a new user-centered website and broader technology modernization, the agency and its partners would have a better understanding of the state’s economy, revenues, and spending, and make progress toward a more equitable Maryland.
Mr. O’Connor, who lives in Reisterstown, is the proud father of two daughters. He served as chairman of the Baltimore County Digital Equity Committee and chairman of the Baltimore County Information Technology Advisory Committee, among several other professional affiliations during his tenure with Baltimore County.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Adam Abadir: aabadir@marylandtaxes.gov
667-408-0768 (cell)
Barbara Sauers:bsauers@marylandtaxes.gov
410-212-9414 (cell)
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