LITTLE ROCK, AR--Arkansas Department of Information Systems Director Mark Myers was selected to serve as chairman of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Information Technology Oversight Council.

The council, created by an executive order, will oversee state information technology projects in excess of $50 million. In a letter to legislators announcing the council, Hutchinson said it was a continued effort of his administration to improve efficiency in state government. Project oversight by the council will also improve the state’s governance of its IT investments and promote strategic coordination by multiple state agencies, according to the letter.

“The strategic and collaborative process of this council will enable us to better meet the stringent cybersecurity standards mandatory in today’s government environment,” Myers said. “We also anticipate that coordinating technology platforms across state agencies will lower the overall cost dedicated by the state for IT products and services and save taxpayer money.”

The Oversight Council will also include the chief technology officers of the Department of Human Services, Department of Finance and Administration, and the Department of Health. The council will provide guidance to agency directors and will make recommendations to the governor about the direction, scope and cost of state agency IT.