San Rafael, CA – Liza Lowery Massey, who has worked most of her 31-year technology career for local and state government agencies, is the County of Marin’s choice to lead its Department of Information Services and Technology (IST).
County Administrator Matthew Hymel made the announcement of Massey’s appointment, and her first day on the job will be May 21. Assistant County Administrator Dan Eilerman has served as IST’s interim director since January 2018.
Most recently, Massey was Chief Information Officer for the State of Tennessee’s Department of Human Services. Her team provided technical and business solutions for the purposes of temporary economic assistance, work opportunities and protective services. During her time working in Nashville, she spearheaded the launch of many new online services and mobile applications.
Prior to her state position, Massey led the nonprofit Nashville Technology Council, worked as an independent consultant, and founded and managed a private consulting firm for the public sector. Earlier in her career, she led the information technology departments for the City and County of San Francisco, the City of Los Angeles and City of Milpitas.
Massey has been passionate about contributing to education as well, serving as adjunct university professor and in advisory roles related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs at the high school level. She has also authored books, research papers, and award-winning magazine articles on government technology.
“Liza stood out during the interview process as someone who could enhance our services to our residents and departments,” Hymel said. “We feel fortunate to have someone with her skills and abilities joining our executive leadership team.”
Massey said she was interested in the Marin position because of a renewed desire to work in local government and relocate back to the West Coast. As part of the interview process, “I met some of the employees and walked away feeling like it was a great fit,” she said.
Massey grew up mostly in central Florida and gained interest in technology because of her father, a U.S. Air Force officer who “worked in IT back when it was called data processing and computers took up whole rooms,” she said. “My earliest memories are of running around the mainframes and hiding among the disc drives.”
Massey has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and accounting and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from Troy University in Troy, Ala.
Her annual salary will be $203,299 and benefits will be consistent with those received by other department heads.