Gov. Roy Cooper made the decision official today. Parrish was formerly deputy CIO of the state. North Carolina's previous CIO, Tracy Doaks, became president and CEO of tech nonprofit MCNC this month.
Parrish has held a variety of IT-related positions over the last few decades. He is currently an IT studies faculty member at Edgecomb Community College in Rocky Mount, N.C. He was also CIO of the North Carolina Deparment of Cultural Resources for more than seven years.
According to Parrish's LinkedIn page, he has also served as director of academic computing and network services for Elizabeth City State University, CIO of Rocky Mount, N.C., and IT director for the North Carolina Governor's Office.
In a release, Cooper emphasized that Parrish's long history with state IT and educational institutions makes him a leader that the state can trust.
"The state of North Carolina relies on our IT resources now more than ever," Cooper said. "Thomas Parrish’s experience as an IT leader and educator prepares him to lead NCDIT as the agency supports our state workforce in all 100 counties, both in the office and remote."
