CIO Tuck Wins Technology Lifetime Achievement Award

Days before retiring from the County, Chief Information Officer Harold Tuck received a major award from the National Association of Counties (NACo.)

Tuck accepted NACo’s Technologist Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday at the organization’s annual conference in Pittsburgh. After 26 years with the County, Tuck is set to retire Wednesday.

He called the award “extremely humbling.”

Often such awards are given posthumously, Tuck said, and at 59 years old, he said he appreciated being able to enjoy it.

“I told my staff, it’s nice to smell the roses while you’re still alive,” he said.

Tuck said NACo told him they wanted to recognize the assistance he had given not only NACo but counties all over the country on technology policy issues “without question and whenever anyone calls.”

Tuck said the organization also noted that he is “always there to respond and that (he) is known throughout the country as someone who is there to respond.”

Tuck said he has always accepted invitations to speak about technology at regional and national NACo events and events put on by industry partners.

Internally, Tuck is also being recognized for his strong body of work.

A recent County Technology Office report describes Tuck as having been “a driver for IT innovation in the public sector” since his earliest days at the County.

“Harold’s vision and leadership (have) been pivotal in growing IT to its current position within County government and making it a model of excellence for other government agencies nationwide,” the report states.

After joining the County in 1986 as an Electronic Data Processing coordinator, Tuck rose through the ranks and became regional General Manager for the HHSA’s Central Region. He also served as Director of Housing and Community Development, then became General Manager for the Public Safety Group in 2002. In 2008, Tuck was named Chief Information Officer, a position where all information technology functions for the County were his responsibility.

Tuck has no immediate plans for his retirement, though he hasn’t ruled anything out. He doesn’t plan to work again full-time, but says he’s “too young not to do anything.”

His most pressing plans are to celebrate his birthday (July 23) with all five of his siblings and their families. They’re all flying in from around the country.