CSC shuffles IRS prime execs

Computer Sciences Corp., the lead contractor for the Internal Revenue Service's multibillion dollar modernization program, has reassigned two of its top program managers and brought in a new executive, according to industry sources.

Jim Kennedy, a CSC executive who had been the program's executive, is taking a new job in CSC's federal sector. Dave Edmondson, the program manager, is returning to CSC's aerospace unit where he started his career.

In their place, CSC is bringing in Michael Plett, a seasoned program manager who has worked on many CSC projects, including the Program Information Systems Mission Services contract at NASA's Marshall Space Center. Sources said he would be working with Stephen Kalish, president of CSC's civil group, who has an office at the IRS.

Sources did not characterize the personnel changes as a shakeup. IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti sent letters to both Kennedy and Edmondson thanking them for their work on the modernization project, a source said.

A recent report by the Treasury Department's inspector general found that nearly $10 million had been wasted on the project, work was behind schedule and project managers had not established proper accountability for tasks.

CSC and IRS officials declined to comment.