Texas Department of Information Resources Announces Chief Data Officer Ed Kelly’s Retirement

After working in both the private sector and with other state agencies, Kelly joined DIR in September 2015 when he was hired as the newly created Statewide Data Coordinator. Kelly quickly jumped into the role and began transforming the data management landscape for Texas state government. When the Texas Legislature created a statewide Chief Data Officer under DIR in 2019, Kelly was the obvious choice to fill the role, said Amanda Crawford, DIR’s Executive Director and Chief Information Officer for the State of Texas. 

“Ed Kelly will leave a lasting impression on the state of Texas through his efforts to improve the state’s data governance and data management policies and practices,” Crawford said.  “Along with all that he achieved during his time at DIR, Ed has been a trusted guide and calm confidante for his peers.”

Kelly was instrumental in developing the Texas Open Data portal as well as policies that strengthened state agencies’ data management and governance requirements. Kelly’s commitment to data management earned him multiple prestigious national and international awards, including being named one of DataIQ’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Data for 2022 and Chief Data Officer Magazine’s U.S. State and Local Leading Data Executives List for 2022.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the State of Texas’ first Chief Data Officer under DIR’s leadership,” Kelly said.  “Through the support and collaboration of many talented state agency and higher education professionals, we had the opportunity to grow and mature the state’s overall data management program. I am proud of our accomplishments and excited about the prospects that are to come.”

While the search for Kelly’s replacement is underway, DIR’s Data Officer, Neil Cooke, will serve as Interim Chief Data Officer.

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