Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)

Welcome to OCIO

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) provides the technological solutions that enable the Department of Education to deliver world-class service to schools, students and their families.

To accomplish its mission, OCIO advises and assists the Secretary and other senior officers in acquiring information technology (IT) and managing information resources. OCIO helps these leaders comply with the best practices in the industry and applicable federal laws and regulations, including the Clinger Cohen Act, the Government Paperwork Reduction Act and the Federal Information Security Management Act. In addition, the agency's Chief Information Officer is charged with establishing a management framework that leads the agency toward more efficient and effective operations, including improved planning and control of IT investments.

About OCIO

The agency's CIO is charged with implementing the operative principles identified in the Act requiring the establishment of a management framework to improve the planning and control of information technology investments and leading change to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of agency operations.

The CIO reports directly to the Secretary of Education and provides leadership and direction to:

• Develop, maintain, and implement a sound and integrated information technology enterprise architecture;
• Provide enterprise-wide IT services that include technical infrastructure support, enhanced infrastructure services, and centrally supported application services;
• Promote the effective and efficient design and operation of major Departmental information resource management processes and recommend, as appropriate, improvements to agency business processes;
• Manage agency information resources to improve the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of Federal programs inclusive of information dissemination initiatives and efforts to reduce information collection burdens;
• Develop information technology and information assurance requirements, completing cost/benefit analysis of proposed solutions, managing projects in accordance with sound systems life cycle management procedures and establishing performance standards and measures to assess success of short and long term solutions;
• Define and manage capital planning and investment management processes to ensure their successful implementation and integration with the Department's budget, acquisition and planning processes;
• Monitor the performance of the agency's information technology and information assurance programs and investments, evaluating them against performance and other applicable measures, and advising the Secretary regarding their continuation, modification or termination;
• Assess information technology, information assurance, and information management competencies defined for agency personnel to ensure that Departmental employees are technologically prepared to achieve the Department's strategic goals;
• Manage the agency's Information Assurance Program, developing agency-wide policy for the protection and control of information;
• Deploy and maintain all enterprise-wide information technology;
• Develop recommendations and implement information technology solutions designed to enhance and enable agency business processes;
• Develop and provide technology standards to ensure business alignment and promote a viable enterprise technology framework;
• Provide administrative and technical support to the agency's Data Integrity Board and monitor the Department's compliance with the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act;
• Manage the agency's participation and implementation of Federal CIO Council Initiatives and coordinate Council activities throughout the Department;
• Coordinate all eGov Initiatives and their status reporting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB);
• Develop and maintain an integrated Departmental accounting and financial management system, including internal controls in accordance with the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 and the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996;
• Establish Departmental travel policy and procedures, administer and monitor the agency’s travel system and program, and conduct training to ensure ED compliance with the Federal Travel Regulations.

Legislation and Guidelines

The following laws and guidelines govern the operation of OCIO and the management and oversight of information technology investments throughout the Department of Education. 

• Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996
• Agency Chief Information Officer
• Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act of 2014 (FITARA)
• E-Government Act
• U.S. Federal Information Policy
• Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA)
• Federal Records Act
• Assistive Technology/Sections 504 and 508
• Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
• Department of Education Transition to Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)
• Cybersecurity
  • Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA)
  • Executive Order 13800, Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure
  • Bidder's Security Package: Security Requirements for Contractors Doing Business with the Department of Education
  • Computer Security Act of 1987
  • Government Information Security Reform Act (GISRA)
  • Department of Education Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
• OMB circulars, memoranda, and other guidance on IT
  • Circular A-11 (PDF), Planning, Budgeting, Acquisition of Capital Assets, Strategic Plans, Performance Plans
  • Circular A-76, (PDF), Performance of Commercial Activities (Outsourcing)
  • Circular A-94, (PDF), Guidelines and Discount Rates for Benefit-Cost Analysis of Federal Programs
  • Circular A-130 (PDF), Management of Federal Information Resources
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Executive Guide: Improving Mission Performance Through Strategic Information Management and Technology, General Accounting Office Report AIMD-94-115, May 1, 1994
  • Executive Order 13231, "Critical Infrastructure Protection in the Information Age," October 16, 2001
  • Executive Order 13228, "Establishing the Office of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Council," October 8, 2001
  • Executive Order 13011, "Federal Information Technology," July 17, 1996
• Additional Legislation and Guidelines that OCIO collaborates with other offices to implement and/or comply with.
  • Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988
  • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
  • Government Performance Results Act (GPRA)
  • Information Quality Guidelines
  • Paperwork Reduction Act
  • Privacy Act

Additional Guidance and Resources

• Learn how OCIO complies with the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulations
• Visit our Technical Guidance website to review Login.gov guidance for external users
• Find more information at the Federal Chief Information Officer Council website

OCIO Executive Leadership Team

Brian J. Bordelon, Acting Chief Information Officer and Deputy Chief Information Officer 

Brian Bordelon is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he worked with the defense messaging system in Twentynine Palms, CA, followed by time as the Chief Watch Officer at the Area Control Center, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve (MARFORES), New Orleans, LA, and the Certificate Authority (CA) at G-6 Marine Corps Mobilization Command (MOBCOM), Kansas City, MO. Brian also spent time overseas supporting efforts for the Global War on Terrorism for the Department of Defense. 

Brian was recently named the Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) to support the Department’s key initiatives and leading strategic planning efforts for OCIO modernizations and enhancing mission-focused capabilities. He previously served as Executive Director of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) with OCIO where he led teams of federal civilians and contractors to drive the Portfolio of Integrated Value-Oriented Technology (PIVOT) IT capability and service delivery functions for the enterprise. 

His federal civilian roles include IT Program Manager, Combined Arms Center, National Simulation Center at Fort Leavenworth, KS; the Deputy Director for Network Integration at the Mission Command Center of Excellence; J-6 Business Relationship Manager; and Information Management Official and Deputy Director for IT and Resource Management at the Enviromental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), where he led digital transformation efforts for the mission area. He oversaw major efforts at the Cyber Center of Excellence as a proponent for Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) warfighter integration and force modernization efforts, and has also represented the United States Army for multinational talks and led interoperability workgroups for the Armies of Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (ABCA). 

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science from Park University in Management as well as Master of Science in Administration and IT Resource Management from Central Michigan University at Fort Leavenworth, KS. From there, he undertook studies at National Defense University at Ft. McNair, Washington D.C. and successfully completed the Chief Information Officer (CIO) graduate program and the Federal Executive Institute program in Charlottesville, VA. Brian is a federally certified FAC-PPM and also holds Microsoft, ISC, PMI and ITIL and the Gartner CXO industry certifications.

Brian resides in Prince William County, VA with his wife and daughter. As a veteran, Brian advocates and volunteers for local veterans causes (VFW, DAV, IAVA) to support those who have served. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with family, sports, and outdoor activities.

Steven Hernandez, Chief Information Security Officer and Director of Information Assurance Services 

Steven Hernandez is an information assurance executive serving the past twenty years in a variety of contexts and missions. His rich background includes law enforcement, financial, education, healthcare, credentialing, heavy manufacturing, non-profits, and governments at the federal, state, and local levels.  Steven’s experience ranges from the board room to leading tactical, day-to-day security operations, as well as leading broad security initiatives such as the US government's Zero Trust Architecture approach across large and complex organizations. 

Presently, he is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Director of Information Assurance Services (IAS) at the U.S. Department of Education. Steven also serves as the co-chair of the U.S. Government Federal CISO Council and Government Chair of the ACT-IAC Cybersecurity Community of Interest. Prior to his position at the Department, he held a variety of roles at the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services including CTO, CIO, CISO, Senior Official for Privacy and Chief Services Engineering Officer.  

He is an inaugural member of the United States Scholarship for Service Hall of Fame and an ardent supporter of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through his teaching work as an Honorary Professor, Affiliate Faculty, and guest lecturer at over a dozen Institutions of higher education.

Walter McDonald, Director of Information Technology Program Services 

Walter McDonald was selected in January 2017 to serve as Director of Information Technology Program Services (ITPS) for the U.S. Department of Education, within OCIO. He directs technical and administrative operations and functions to support the CIO’s efforts in overseeing the delivery and management of IT systems and services required to maintain the Department's $1.7B IT portfolio. As Director of ITPS, Walter serves as a principal advisor to the CIO in leading the Department’s activities to ensure full compliance with the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA), and ensuring the agency’s long range IT planning efforts are integrated with its budget and acquisition processes. Walter is also responsible for managing an organization that functions as a "portal" for the provision of OCIO services to support offices in the development of IT-based business solutions and web-based applications that support the agencies on-line business processes across the Department.

Walter previously served as the Director of Business Planning and IT Governance, and subsequently, Associate CIO (Acting) of IT Policy & Oversight for the U.S. Department of Transportation. In those capacities he coordinated information management planning and developed Departmental policies and processes to facilitate the integrated management and oversight of Transportation’s $3.5B IT portfolio, and provided advice and counsel to the CIO and 10 Operating Administrations on the effective management and innovative use of IT resources to support and enhance business operations. 

Walter has over two decades of experience in several Acquisition and IT leadership capacities within the Department of Defense, Industry and the federal government. He has used his expertise to provide technical and managerial direction in transforming and enhancing customer support using cutting-edge information resource management and business process re-engineering techniques to create business value and achieve mission success. He received his Master's degree in Business Administration from St. Leo University, and holds a number of professional certifications in IT and Program Management. 

Gary Stevens, Director of Enterprise Technology Services

Gary joined the Department of Education in 2021, and currently serves as the Director of ETS within OCIO. He ensures the Department’s information technology systems are up and operational on a persistent basis to meet the needs of OCIO and the Department's aligned missions. 

He started his career as an Officer in the United States Air Force in 1993, and has since then served in a number of civilian positions including roles with Arthur Anderson, SAIC, the Missile Defense Agency, and the Department of Veteran Affairs. 

Gary has a Master's of Business Administration from Colorado State University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

Stephanie Taylor, Chief of Staff

Stephanie Taylor joined the Department of Education as OCIO's Chief of Staff in 2022. In her role she serves as the strategic advisor to the CIO and OCIO senior leadership team. She leads OCIO's strategic planning initiatives to include the identification, tracking, and reporting of associated organizational performance measures, and alignment with the Department's strategic plan. She also leads the development and implementation of OCIO's overarching IT policy framework development and implementation of its communications strategy.

Stephanie previously served as the Director for IT Program Integration at the Department of Veterans Affairs for three years. In this role she led an office responsible for the creation, integration, and execution of the Technology Enterprise Strategy, and she also led the Continuity and Mission Assurance Office. Stephanie was also responsible for executing Veterans Affairs and Technology-level initiatives that bridged coordination gaps, enhanced innovation, and streamlined technology operations to drive efficiencies and create a positive end-user experience.

Prior to this role, Stephanie was the Division Chief of the Cyber Business Intelligence division where she led and developed programs directly impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network security centric services delivered to the Veterans Affairs' Enterprise.

Before joining the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2005, Stephanie spent almost a decade in the private sector providing an array of tech services including solving complicated technical issues for over 5,000 clients, delivering IT products and services and implementing and improving cybersecurity programs, policies, and strategies.  She brings a wealth of public and private sector expertise in information technology, human capital, and financial management.

Stephanie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Hampton University, and a Master’s Degree in Managing Information Systems from Bowie State University.  She is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and a two-time recipient of the Women in Leadership Impact Award. 

Stephanie is very active in her community and enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She resides in Waldorf, MD with her husband, Kawan, and their three children -- Kendall, Kayla and Khloe.