Governor appoints Jonathan Askins as state’s Chief Technology Officer

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has appointed Jonathan Askins as the director of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services (TSS) Division of Information Systems (DIS). Askins will also serve as the state’s Chief Technology Officer.

“Jonathan Askins brings a wealth of experience in business and government,” Hutchinson said. “In his career, he has been a team builder, a business developer, a problem solver, and a crisis manager. He’s is everything you look for in a leader, and DIS has great days ahead.”

Askins comes to DIS from Acxiom, where as director of Expert Client Management he guided new product strategy in the company’s government business sectors. From 1998 to 2000, Askins worked at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, where he led a cabinet-level task force to encourage investment into Arkansas’ tourism industry. In 2018, Gov. Hutchinson appointed Askins to the state Data Transparency Commission, which he serves as vice chair.

“My wife, Leigh Anna, and I have been blessed by the State of Arkansas through a number of programs that have helped our children and I was thrilled for this opportunity to repay a state that has given us so much,” Askins said.

“The State of Arkansas is fortunate to have a person with Jonathan’s experience and qualifications join our Department. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Jonathan in the past and look forward to his leadership on the TSS team,” said TSS Secretary Amy Fecher.