Energy names its third permanent CIO since the start of Trump 2.0

The Energy Department has named Dawn Zimmer as its newest permanent chief information officer — the third such official to serve in the role since the start of the Trump administration. 

Zimmer was brought on as Energy’s principal deputy CIO last November, and first served as the acting CIO during the presidential transition. She has subsequently served as Energy’s acting CIO in between a carousel of permanent — albeit short-lived — officials under Trump 2.0.

Ryan Riedel, a former SpaceX employee, was appointed CIO in early February, although he left Energy in March. Ross Graber — who previously supported the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency’s work at the State Department — replaced Riedel as Energy’s CIO, although he also departed the agency in July to serve as the National Nuclear Security Administration’s chief information security officer.

Energy did not respond to a request for comment, although the department has updated their website to show Zimmer in the CIO role. A separate source within Energy also confirmed Zimmer’s appointment as permanent CIO. 

Prior to coming to Energy, Zimmer served as executive director of Virginia Tech’s IT engagement and experience and held roles at the Federal Aviation Administration and Justice Department.

Editor-in-Chief Frank Konkel contributed to this article.