Florida – Nicole Rissler has been selected as the next assistant county administrator for Sarasota County. Rissler brings more than 20 years of public sector and non-profit leadership to role. Effective Jan. 28, she transitioned from her role with the parks and recreations department to lead countywide growth, development and sustainability initiatives.
California – Loren J. Blanchard has been announced as the next president of Cal State Long Beach. Assuming the position on May 1, he currently serves as the University of Houston-Downtown’s president. Blanchard will also bring over 35 years of education experience to the role, where he will with a strong commitment to student success.
Arizona – Jessi Pederson has been introduced as the new director for the Greater Arizona Development Authority. An Arizona State University grad, Pederson brings more than 20 years of experience in public service with tenures with multiple development authorities in Glendale. She will fill the director position following the departure of former director Mary Foote.
Illinois – Kavita Saraf has been appointed as the next chief information officer for the Illinois Gaming Board. Previously serving as the Deputy CIO for the Illinois Department of Corrections, she will bring her more than 28 years of experience across multiple industries and private sector firms.
Tennessee – Dan Hinton has announced his intent to reenter the workforce, joining the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) as a major projects director. Hinton previously worked with the Federal Highway Administration for 35 years, retiring as the Tennessee division administrator. He will manage and guide large and complex projects for TDOT.
Michigan – Kyle Guerrant has been appointed to the state Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) as the new acting director. Guerrant currently serves as the state deputy budget director and has operated in state government for over 20 years. In his new role, he will oversee the state’s IT, technology and financial services.
Virginia – Hassan Janjua, CISSP, AIGP, PMP, ITIL, has been selected as the next chief information officer for the city of Newport. In a joint announcement, Janjua will join the city’s executive team after leading major technology and modernization efforts in public sector environments. He will lead the city’s technology strategy and operations, overseeing enterprise systems, cybersecurity, data and analytics, and digital transformation initiatives.
Hawai’i – Li Honglong, PhD, PE, has been selected as deputy director for the city and county of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services. A nationally recognized transportation engineer, Li most recently served with the department since 2014, leading the city’s Rail Station Access Improvement Program and other vital transportation improvements.
