Job Done, Social Security's Y2K Leader Is Moving On

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Are there any other question for this nice lady?

Y2K lessons: Software development is key, CIOs got seat at table

By Patrick Thibodeau 08/23/99 Washington

The U.S. Social Security Administration has led other large federal agencies in repairing the year 2000 problem. But the person who is responsible for spearheading much of that effort is retiring and beginning a second career.

Kathleen Adams -- the agency's assistant deputy director of systems and chairman of the year 2000 committee of the federal government's Chief Information Officer's Council -- said last week that she plans to work at SRA International Inc., an information technology consulting and systems integration firm in Fairfax, Va., as vice president of strategic accounts.

Q: Will you be anxious about the year 2000 performance of Social Security or federal systems? A: If we had not completed everything that we set out to do and finished our program, I would not be going. I'm taking what's called an "early out" retirement. As a career employee, I'm about as high up as I'm going to go. Jobs above my level are political appointees.

Q: What have you learned from repairing the Y2K problem? A: I don't know if it's year 2000 per se, but one thing we really have been looking at is improving our software development processes. We always tend to think of programming and IT as being very creative, and it should be, but the application of it should be more methodical and disciplined.

Q: What has all this taught you about the role of IT professionals in large organizations? A: Y2K has really made people realize the extent to which we depend on automated systems and computers to do business. And in many ways I think it's brought the CIO more to the table, if you will, in a number of corporations and governmental agencies.

Q: How can federal agencies compete more effectively with the private sector for IT employees? A: What the government can offer, as long as we keep the salaries relatively close (with private industry) ... is (the) value of working in public service. We have a great mission. There are 48 million (people) who depend on us to get their payments every month. For the 27 years that I've been here, I always knew that what I was doing mattered.

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), August 24, 1999

Answers

This is someone who didn't go to the agency Y2K meetings, just took credit after it turned out to be important. Knows nothing about software processes, methodologies, configuration management. Knows everything about playing agency politics.

They still aren't done and it will be apparent in 5 months. She has got to get out befor the administration finds out that they have been having Clinton and Gore say for months that SSA is done, and they are not.

-- ng (Cantprovideemail@none.com), August 24, 1999.


How about a LINK...? Also, I believe that makes FOUR high-profile "escapees" from gov't service in the last 6 months or so. Can someone please provide the names/titles/agencies?

I sure would appreciate it.

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), August 24, 1999.


Link
Sorry about that chief.

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), August 24, 1999.

I wonder if she has a home way high up in the mountains? I wonder if she get's to work from home?

Didn't someone say, "watch thier actions, not just their words"

Mike

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-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), August 24, 1999.


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