Aug 20, 2007: State Treasurer Releases Blue Ribbon Commission Report

State Treasurer James B. Lewis appointed a Blue Ribbon Commission in May 2007 to review information technology systems and operations and make recommendations to enhance the operational efficiency of the office.

In a press conference at the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, August 16, the Commission's findings were made public. As stated in the report, the Commissioners focused on three principal areas:

1) Operations and management issues associated with the State of New Mexico’s new Statewide Human Resource, Accounting, and Management Reporting (SHARE) system
2) Planning and implementation considerations associated with the State Treasurer’s Office’s internal information systems
3) State Treasurer’s Office personnel and their roles in operating and maintaining critical internal processes

Recommendations included interagency communication in solving SHARE challenges; enhance network security and develop business continuation and disaster recovery plans; and review of agency staffing and creation of staff development plans.

In his remarks, Treasurer Lewis assured the Commission members and others in attendance that "receiving this report is not an end result but is a beginning of finding solutions. Communication, collaboration, and cooperation at all levels will be necessary as we analyze and find the best ways to incorporate the recommendations."

In his summary of the report, Vince Murphy of Strategic and Learning Services and the Commission facilitator held that "as long as the State Treasurer’s Office maintains a strategic outlook, works with the Governor and legislators, and continues to provide leadership among state administrative agencies, all visible impediments can be overcome."

The Commission includes professionals from the banking, investment, and IT industries, from government scientific labs, and from education: Ed Austria, Bank of America; Steve Bohlin, investment manager (retired); Paul Cassidy, RBC Dain, municipal finance; Gary Concannon, Sandia Labs; Jesse Dompreh, insurance; .Lowell Gilbert, IT consultant and retired government executive; Lou Hoffman, former City of Albuquerque treasurer; Beverly Hoover, accountant; Carole Petranovich, Computer Corner; and, Mark Pike, Wells Fargo Bank.

A follow-up and progress-reporting session will be held in six months. To view or download a copy of the report, click on the link.