José Arrieta

In May 2018 José Arrieta was appointed as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

José provides leadership and oversight of the Department’s information technology (IT) systems and security activities. As the head of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), he leads the Department’s efforts in developing and implementing IT policies, managing high priority projects, and planning strategic IT investments. As the CIO, José also provides leadership and oversight of the Department’s $6.3B IT portfolio in support of its expansive mission to enhance the health and well-being of Americans.

José brings over 15 years’ experience in policy, procurement and technology solutions to HHS. He is a respected leader in applying emerging technologies, especially blockchain, artificial intelligence and robotic process automation, to the Federal acquisition process.

He is actively engaged in the academic community, and currently serves at the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University as an Adjunct Professor focused on blockchain, business management, and public procurement.

Prior to becoming the CIO, José served as the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition; Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Grants and Acquisition Policy and Accountability; the Senior Procurement Official; and the Small Business Executive at HHS. He spearheaded HHS Accelerate, the first blockchain-based capability to receive an Authority to Operate in the federal government.

As the former Director of Schedule 70 Operations with the General Services Administration (GSA), José led the largest IT contract in the world. It averaged $15B /year in business volume, providing IT products and services to federal, state, and local customers.

Prior to GSA, José was the first Senior Executive Director of the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization for the Department of the Treasury. José was Treasury’s representative to the National Security Council and focused on the impact of blockchain on the U.S. national security posture.

José has built a strong reputation among his peers within the federal government and with industry stakeholders. Most notably, his accomplishments have been recognized by receiving the Pinnacle Award’s IT Innovator of the Year award in 2018.