GERALD CARON
ITA
GERALD CARON
TITLE : CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
COMPANY : INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION
Gerald Caron is the Chief Information Officer for the International Trade Administration . In this role , he implements information technology services , solutions , and strategy for an agency of 2,200 employees across 100 U . S . cities and 80 international markets .
Caron has two decades of experience leading global teams in IT operations and cybersecurity . Prior to joining ITA , he was the Chief Information Officer and Assistant Inspector General of Information Technology at the Department of Health and Human Services during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic .
He also served at the State Department in various technical roles , including as Director of Enterprise Network Management oversaw the Department ’ s infrastructure and operations ( network , perimeter security , active directory and much more ) and was extensively involved in mitigating cybersecurity attacks . He began public service in the U . S . Army for seven years .
Caron is a tri-chair on the interagency U . S . Chief Information Officers Council ’ s E-Ops Committee for Zero Trust , whose aim is to drive efficiency and effectiveness of government cybersecurity effectiveness . He also chairs the Zero Trust Working Group for the Advanced Technology Academic Research Center ( ATARC ), a non-profit that bridges the gap between government , industry , and academia on emergent technologies . Previously , he chaired ATARC ’ s Trusted Internet Connection 3.0 Working Group .
Caron is a recipient of the FedHealthIT 100 2022 and 2023 award . He was named GovCIO ’ s 2022 and 2023 GovCIO Zero Trust Advocate Flywheel Award , ATARC ’ s 2022 Government Member of the Year , FedScoop ’ s Best Bosses in Federal IT 2022 , FedTech ’ s 30 Federal IT Influencers Worth a Follow in 2023 and Public Sector Networks Global Top 50 Government Innovators of 2023 . He is a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College and holds certification from Forrester as a Zero Trust Strategist .
“ There ’ s been a real culture shift ,” he says . “ Rather than playing tennis back and forth , now we ’ re working together side by side , making sure that we deliver what was needed the first time .
“ Sometimes wrenches are thrown in , but that takes a conversation with everybody . We ’ re not making the decisions in IT , we ’ re working on the decisions that the business units or those representatives have made with our coaching and feedback . Such feedback details what our constraints are , and what we can do with our capacity . Ultimately , that culture shift has been interesting to watch , but it ’ s been a good relationship and I hope to see it continue to improve and mature .”
Leveraging AI at the ITA As the ITA looks to the future , leveraging AI will emerge as a key strategy to enhance operational efficiency and user experience . By deploying AI-driven solutions , such as natural language
244 April 2024