Russ Nichols
Strategic IT Advisor
Strategic IT Advisor for Complex Organizations
Helping executives align technology strategy, governance, and delivery with mission-critical goals.
California’s most complex policy and service delivery challenges increasingly depend on effective use of information technology. Success requires more than technical execution—it requires executive leadership, disciplined governance, and clear alignment between mission outcomes and delivery strategy.
“Sacramento, View of California State Capitol from 10th Street” by Andre M, 9 March 2014, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0).
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Former California Deputy CIO | Acting California CIO | CIO for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Firsthand experience leading statewide and departmental technology strategy at scale.
Independent Strategic Advisor
for Public-Sector Executives
I provide independent, strategic IT advisory services to California government executives and project sponsors. My advisory work is informed by direct, firsthand experience leading technology strategy at the highest levels of California state government, including service as California Deputy Chief Information Officer, Acting California Chief Information Officer, and Chief Information Officer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.​ My focus is to help executives leverage information technology to enable, improve, and transform public services—while managing risk, complexity, and public accountability.
Drawing on experience as a former statewide technology executive, I advise government leaders from a sponsor-level perspective shaped by direct accountability to the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, control agencies, and the public. As an independent advisor, I provide:
An understanding the realities of California government decision-making, oversight, procurement, and delivery. I advise leaders from the perspective of someone who has sat in the sponsor’s seat—accountable to the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, control agencies, and the public.
As an independent contractor, I provide:
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Objective, sponsor-focused guidance free from vendor or delivery bias
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Practical advice grounded in statewide and departmental leadership experience
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Strategic insight informed by large, complex, and high-visibility initiatives
My role is not to manage programs or implement systems, but to strengthen executive decision-making and governance at critical moments.
Strategic IT Advisory Services
I support California government leaders across the full lifecycle of major IT initiatives, with particular strength in large, complex, and mission-critical environments.
Executive Strategy & Alignment
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Technology strategies aligned to departmental mission, policy objectives, and statewide direction
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Executive briefings and decision support for critical policy, funding, and governance decisions
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Independent review of proposed solutions, delivery approaches, and strategic assumptions
Program & Portfolio Governance
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Sponsor-level governance frameworks informed by statewide oversight experience
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Clarification of executive roles, decision authorities, and accountability
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Steering committee and executive governance support for high-risk initiatives
Risk, Readiness, & Assurance
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Independent assessments of organizational, technical, and vendor readiness
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Early identification of systemic delivery, governance, and integration risks
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Actionable recommendations based on real-world experience leading large programs
Vendor & Delivery Oversight
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Executive-level oversight of system integrators and major vendors
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Alignment of contract execution with executive intent and public value
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Support for managing vendor performance within California procurement constraints
Who I Serve
My advisory services are designed for leaders who carry accountability for outcomes. Effective in environments where visibility is high, risk is material, and decisions must withstand public, legislative, and audit scrutiny.
Agency Secretaries & Department Directors
Executive Sponsors of large or high-risk initiatives
Deputy Directors & Chief Information Officers
Executive steering committees & governance bodies