Jamey_Heary: I can't see putting anyone from the IRS in this role. The IRS doesn't seem very visionary to most people.

Matthew_Nickash: Perhaps such a CIO position would get lost in a "devil in the details" implementation, without proper roles being defined in the first place.

Curt_Monash: Let's back up. There are two or three major kinds of CTO functions. One is making the government be a better user of technology. I don't see why the public's perception of who is a visionary would matter much at all to that. Second, there's a need for a senior advisor that decides which new technologies to promote. That's the role where people think they want a star.

Dan_Tynan: I really think the position is symbolic, and if that is indeed the case, then a highly visible geek with political skills is what's needed not a hands-on guy or gal.

Jamey_Heary: Curt, you need to be a visionary in order to implement the right solution. Whatever is picked for a solution will be the standard for years. The government doesn't change standards lightly. I would argue that all good CTOs are visionaries. In order to properly structure an enterprise you have to be looking out 3-5 years.