Previous Experience

Mr. Kost spent 20 years in government in the state of Michigan, where he was actively involved at executive levels in government transformation and management reform. His tenure culminated in his becoming state chief information officer (1992-1996), the first state CIO in the United States. During his tenure as CIO, he led a massive infrastructure consolidation and organizational centralization effort and was also responsible for the state's procurement process. Mr. Kost previously served as chief deputy state welfare director and director of policy for the Michigan Senate. He began his state government career in 1976 as a welfare caseworker. After leaving government in 1996, Mr. Kost remained active in supporting government IT through private-sector roles, including starting the state and local sales organization for a large enterprise software vendor, serving as head of worldwide business development for a large government-oriented system integrator, and starting a state and local division for a consulting firm.

Professional Background

• Federal Sources, Senior Vice President - State and Local Government, 2 years
• Siebel Systems, National Sales Director - State and Local Government, 2 years
• TRW, Vice President - Public Sector Solutions, 2 years

Education

• Attended the State and Local Executive Program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and is a contributor to the Leadership for a Networked World program at the Kennedy School
• B.A., Political Science, University of Michigan
• M.P.A., Public Administration, Michigan State University

Industry Awards/Accolades

• Governing magazine "Public Official of the Year" (1995)