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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesEscambia County is pleased to announce John Erar has been selected as Chief Information Officer, overseeing the Information Technology department. His selection was confirmed by the Board of County Commissioners during the Feb. 20 BCC meeting.
Erar brings two decades of senior information technology executive experience and achievements to Escambia County, capitalizing on technological advances to drive operational growth, performance, and innovation. During his career, he has served as the IT Director for the United States District Court, Probation/Pretrial Services Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and as the Chief Information Officer for the Minnesota Judicial Branch, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Hennepin County State Court in Minneapolis.
As the District Court CIO for the Minnesota Judicial Branch, Erar was responsible for information technology services, operations, infrastructure, and project management for the largest district court in Minnesota, serving 1.4 million county residents and overseeing 35 full-time employees and independent contractors. Erar oversaw court technology, enterprise applications, cybersecurity, and business continuity while advancing organizational objectives to build synergies between judges, departments, and judicial service consumers. He also created an IT Governance Board and served as its co-chair, reporting and communicating on organizational objectives for technology programs, services, and court-wide IT projects.
Erar joined Escambia County in October 2022 as the Senior Budget Analyst in the Office of Management and Budget. Using his IT background, Erar helped increase productivity by developing automated reporting and forecasting tools and used advanced analytical tools to perform variance analysis, identify budget spending trends, and develop recommendations for board approval. He performed financial forecasting, reporting and operational metrics using OpenGov software and worked closely with his colleagues to ensure accurate financial reporting and budget amendments for Escambia County.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Board of County Commissioners for this truly remarkable and exciting opportunity to serve as the County’s new Chief Information Officer,” Erar said. “Together, with our talented and dedicated staff, I look forward to helping lead Escambia County thoughtfully forward into the digital world. The vast array of technology services we provide to our citizens, our constitutional offices, agencies, and lines-of-business help drive the delivery of County services that are critical to the data needs of our citizenry and vital to our continued success. I am looking forward to working with all of you, as partners, to advance a service model based on a shared vision, a shared purpose, and a shared responsibility to help deliver County services in the most secure, efficient, and resilient manner possible.”
As Chief Information Officer, Erar will be responsible for setting the county’s information technology strategy and ensuring all necessary systems to support its operations and objectives are in place. He will also ensure that county information technology is reliable and responsive, delivering results that make a difference. Additional responsibilities include overseeing the county’s technological infrastructure, implementing technology to streamline all internal operations, and ensuring the county remains compliant with federal, state, and local laws, and regulations, codes, and standards pertaining to information technology.
“I’m pleased to welcome John as our Chief Information Officer,” County Administrator Wes Moreno said. “Any time we have the opportunity to promote top talent within our departments is a win for Escambia County. John has demonstrated a high level of success during his career, and his innovative approach to information technology processes will help advance the county’s goals and better serve our residents. He has been a pleasure to work with during his time in the Office of Management and Budget, and I’m excited to see how he shapes the future of Escambia County’s IT Department.”
The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.
Under Florida law, IP addresses and both the content of emails and email addresses are public records. If you do not want your IP address and the content of your email or your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in person.