Q&A: Darwin John on his new job as CIO at the FBI

By Todd R. Weiss

July 11, 2002 12:00 PM ET

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Computerworld - After having served as the worldwide director of information and communications systems for the 11 million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City since 1990, Darwin A. John on Monday will become the new CIO at the FBI. John, 64, was named to the post this week by FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III to replace Bob Dies, who served for two years as both CIO and assistant director for information resources at the agency (see story).

Q: Since the terrorist attacks in the U.S. in September, IT systems at the FBI and other federal agencies have come into question. Some reports say the systems are antiquated and as much as a decade out of date. Where do you begin to make changes to help the FBI fight terrorism?
A: Director Mueller has stated publicly that there is some catching up to do. He's been clear about that. Some news reports, I believe, may have been exaggerated. I don't see any challenge that isn't doable. Since I haven't yet started at the agency, I haven't been close enough to the FBI's situation to know exactly what will be needed. I will see when I get there. One specific information management part of my new job will be ensuring that the right information is captured and accessible to those who need access and is not accessible to those who shouldn't have access.


Darwin John, CIO at the FBI

Q: You have had a varied IT career, including work in private industry for companies such Scott Paper Co., General Mills and Honeywell International. You followed that by going to work for the Mormon Church. How will these experiences help you prepare for and perform your new job at the FBI, where fighting terrorism has become the new mantra?
A: Across my experiences are some systemic things that are very much in common, such as supporting the enterprise and helping to realize its reason for being. My belief is that basic CIO leadership is very transferable across those various kinds of environments where I have worked.

Q: What were your responsibilities in your job with the church?
A: I have been focused on similar things, such as anticipating the future, setting strategic direction and doing development work to put tools and people in place to support the church's mission. My job also entailed minding the shop day to day and ensuring that the infrastructure was reliable and secure.

Q: What are your thoughts as you prepare to start this job, knowing how important it may be to the future security of our nation, which is facing the continuing threat of terrorism?
A: Atthis stage of my life, when most people would probably be thinking about playing golf more often, I've still got some passion about seeing if I can help make a difference for the country.

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