Acting head of VITA praises workers, tells them to ignore critics

By: JEFF E. SCHAPIRO TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER | Times-Dispatch
Published: June 26, 2009

The acting head of Virginia's embattled computer agency is praising employees for "doing heavy lifting" and urging them to ignore critics.

Leonard M. "Len" Pomata today met with about 100 employees of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency at its Chesterfield County headquarters.

Other workers listened by telephone conference call, as did a reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, who was supplied the numerical pass code. Some employees submitted questions to Pomata by e-mail.

Pomata did not return a telephone call later seeking comment on his remarks to the VITA staff.

Pomata, who is also technology secretary to departing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, told workers that the Democrat has "a lot of confidence" in VITA.

On Tuesday, however, Kaine appeared to criticize the agency by suggesting it is to blame for difficulties in implementing a 10-year, $2.3 billion information-technology services contract with Chantilly-based Northrop Grumman.

Pomata became acting chief information officer after the firing of Lemuel C. "Lem" Stewart Jr., who complained that Northrop Grumman is failing to meet the terms of the state's richest-ever privatization contract.

House of Delegates and Virginia Senate committees on Monday open inquiries into Stewart's dismissal and continuing dissatisfaction across state government with Northrop Grumman.

Meantime, the giant company is strengthening its lobbying efforts in an effort to quell discontent. Two more lobbyists recently registered on behalf of Northrop Grumman, pushing its total to eight.

During his session with employees, Pomata said VITA is made up of "a lot of people doing hard work, doing heavy lifting." He said there "is an incredible knowledge base within this organization."

Referring to continuing press coverage of the controversy engulfing VITA and Northrop Grumman, Pomata said, "Forget about the newspapers . . . They'll be critics no matter what they do."

Pomata's multiple roles as technology secretary, CIO and vice-chairman of the VITA oversight board troubles General Assembly Republicans. The agency's chief is supposed to be hired and fired by its board, insulating VITA somewhat from direct control by the governor's office.

Pomata said he expects a permanent successor to Stewart will be named "sometime this summer," and "then, I'll be out of at least one job." Like Stewart, the next chief information officer will have a five-year contract, said Pomata.