Zangardi out at DHS

Department of Homeland Security CIO John Zangardi has stepped down from his position, according to an email sent to staff Friday and obtained by FCW.

Zangardi, who has served as CIO since 2017, told staff that Deputy CIO Beth Cappello would be taking over in the wake of his departure and that he would be taking “a very short break” from work before “div[ing] back into the excitement.”

“After 3 decades of military and government service, I feel the time is right for me to try something different,” Zangardi wrote. “My ask for each of you is that you continue to serve our nation and DHS with pride, honor vigor and commitment. Our nation deserves no less. It is worth the effort knowing that we get to serve the nation for the homeland.”

He praised both DHS leadership and rank-and-file staff for helping to push and drive innovation for the 240,000 employees at the department.

“Your accomplishments delivering modern and secure IT is critical to the department’s mission success and our nation’s security,” Zangardi wrote. “None of what you have done is easy. I am proud of the sacrifices you all have made supporting the mission and I am proud to have served alongside you.”

FedScoop was first to report on the resignation.

Zangardi did not mention where he was going or if he had another position lined up. The news of his departure was unsurprising to two federal industry sources contacted by FCW. “It’s not been a well-kept secret” that he has been looking for a job on the industry side for a few months, said one.

A 2018 Fed100 winner, Zangardi oversaw IT operations at a time when DHS was seeking to overhaul and restructure its data center operations and implement new technologies to promote cybersecurity, identity management, telecommunications, cloud and data analytics.

He is the latest in a string of departures at OCIO, including Donna Roy, executive director for DHS information sharing and services, who left to take a position at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau earlier this fall.