RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell and Senator Ryan T. McDougle, Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, today announced the appointment of David W. Burhop as the new Director of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems (DLAS) at the seat of state government on Capitol Square, Richmond. A widely recognized technology leader in the public sector, Burhop has a well-earned reputation and proven track record of collaborating with stakeholders and developing creative solutions that work for and benefit all Virginians. The DLAS Director is responsible for providing the vision and direction for information services and has overall responsibility for the systems, networks and technology infrastructure used to support the General Assembly’s core staff agencies. Burhop succeeds R. Jay Landis, who retired earlier this year, and he will begin his new job on June 12, 2017.
“I am impressed by Dave Burhop’s effective leadership, cooperative style of managing and his pragmatic approach to problem solving,” said Speaker Howell, who chairs the General Assembly’s Committee on Joint Rules. “The fact that he was chosen from a strong candidate pool, coupled with positive feedback from those working for and with him over the years, made the decision an obvious one. He is thorough, always prepared and believes in not just doing a job but doing it right and without a lot of fanfare. Dave Burhop is the right person to continue moving DLAS forward toward new levels of innovation and success.”
“DLAS plays an important role in ensuring the accuracy and availability of vital information to the General Assembly and the public,” noted Senator McDougle, Chair of the Senate of Virginia’s Rules Committee and Vice Chair of the Committee on Joint Rules. “Dave has impressed me and others as a highly knowledgeable, well-organized innovator. He’s a proven technology leader with a drive for continuous improvement, allowing his staff to explore the value IT can bring by developing creative solutions.”
Mr. Burhop possesses more than 30 years of IT experience crossing both the public and private sectors. He has worked at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in Richmond from 2004 to the present, where he has been Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer. Prior to his service at DMV, he was Chief Information Officer at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (1989-2004). Burhop has effectively managed the third largest state IT budget by aligning business strategies with innovative technologies and methodologies.
A native of Northbrook, IL, Burhop, 60, began his IT career in 1983 with the M.S. Ginn Company in Hyattsville, MD. He also worked in various IT positions for the Association of American Medical Colleges (1985-1987) and the Planning Research Corporation (1987-89). In addition, he is a 1980 graduate of the University of Kentucky and a 2006 graduate of the Virginia Executive Institute. Burhop’s accomplishments have been recognized by numerous organizations, including the Harvard School of Government, Hewlett Packard, Computerworld magazine, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, among others. He also was named a Top 25 “Doers and Dreamers” by Governing Technology magazine and received the Governor’s Technology Award.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Division of Legislative Automated Systems,” Burhop said. “The technology systems supported by DLAS are an important tool in the provisioning of information to the legislature and the public. I’m looking forward to working with the legislative agencies to ensure the systems support the successful delivery of the Commonwealth’s legislative services.”
As DLAS Director, Burhop will be responsible for the Division’s professional and support personnel who provide technical services and access to legislative information for the General Assembly and the public, primarily through the popular Legislative Information System (LIS). Among its many duties, DLAS performs computing and programming services for all legislative agencies, facilitates legislative branch initiatives for the development, operation and maintenance of information services and technology systems, and maintains a strong cooperative relationship with other legislative agencies.
The appointment of Burhop as DLAS Director was welcomed by others.
“Like so many in and around state government, We are looking forward to working with Dave in his new role as a fellow legislative agency head,” noted House Clerk G. Paul Nardo and Senate Clerk Susan Clarke Schaar. “Dave’s has a demonstrated ability of bringing people together, forging strong partnerships with his colleagues and stakeholders and delivering leadership and guidance to new technology initiatives. DLAS will be in a great position with him at the helm.”
DLAS is a legislative branch agency reporting to the Committee on Joint Rules. Current members are: Speaker Howell, Senator McDougle, Delegates Kirk Cox, Terry Kilgore, Steve Landes, Chris Jones, David Toscano and Betsy Carr as well as Senators Tommy Norment, Steve Newman, Frank Ruff, Bryce Reeves, Dick Saslaw and Janet Howell.