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Derek Williams
Chief Technology & Innovation Strategist for State and Local Government
Derek Williams is a distinguished executive IT leader and computer scientist who currently serves as a Chief Technology & Innovation Strategist for State and Local Government at Dell Technologies. In this role, he leverages over two decades of deep experience in public sector technology to guide government agencies in their digital transformation journeys.
Prior to joining Dell, Derek had a decorated career with the State of Louisiana, culminating in his gubernatorial appointment as the State’s Chief Information Officer (CIO). As CIO, he was the principal technology advisor to the Governor and the executive cabinet, holding ultimate authority and responsibility for all state technology systems, services, and procurements.
His leadership journey within Louisiana’s Office of Technology Services (OTS) included roles as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Deputy CIO. As CTO, he had executive oversight for all technology verticals, leading over 700 employees and managing an annual budget of $700 million to provide IT services to more than 1,200 locations. His responsibilities spanned the full spectrum of IT, including infrastructure, data centers, end-user services, application development, and the statewide ERP system.
A U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Derek began his technology career after receiving his Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Kentucky, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. His early work as an AI researcher and application developer built the foundation for a career marked by innovation, strategic leadership, and a profound commitment to public service. His work has been recognized with numerous awards for excellence in government technology and innovation.