Pentagon: IT departures won't disrupt relations with industry

The Pentagon does not see the resignation of CIO Teri Takai and other senior officials as disrupting its coordination with industry on IT issues, Defense Press Secretary John Kirby said April 29 in a briefing with reporters.

"I don't foresee there's going to be any drop off or degradation of our coordination and relationship with industry as a result of this," Kirby said. "Ms. Takai has done a great job in that regard and ... I think she has worked very hard to make sure that that kind of collaboration can continue and we look forward to that."

Takai revealed she was stepping down as DOD's top IT officer in an April 28 email to staff. Her deputy, Robert Carey, left DOD for the private sector in late March, while the Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer -- another important IT policy driver -- has seen three officials leave since last summer.

The CIO is "a critical part of this department and a critical capability that we've got to continue to improve," Kirby said April 29. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel "knows it's an important job, wants to fill it [and] wants to fill it with the right person. It's more important that we get the right talent in there than we do it quickly," he added.

The Pentagon has no timeline for replacing Takai as CIO, Kirby said, adding that the department would like to find a permanent replacement as soon as possible.