MaSSSoftech

The state's new top state technology executive is wasting no time in making changes to the Virginia Information Technologies Agency.

Chief Information Officer George F. Coulter, hired last month, announced Tuesday that he is reorganizing VITA to focus on enhancing its services to state agencies. He also named a 14-member council to provide state agencies input into decision-making regarding information technology.

In a news release, Coulter said changes are expected in the Northrop Grumman Corp. partnership team to complement the new VITA organization.

Northrop Grumman's 10-year, $2.3 billion contract, inked in 2005, has come under intense scrutiny amid reports of cost overruns, delays and state employee dissatisfaction with technology services.

After Northrop Grumman failed to meet a June 30 deadline for finishing the work, state technology officials instructed the company to submit an updated plan.

The corrective plan indicates that most of the work is now expected to be completed by April.