NC's Chief Information Officer Leaving For Private Sector

North Carolina's chief information officer is leaving Gov. Pat McCrory's administration next week to return to the private sector.  The governor's office announced the departure of Chris Estes on Monday.

Estes joined McCrory's administration in early 2013 and was charged with modernizing the state's information technology operations. The General Assembly followed McCrory's wishes and in September turned Estes' agency into a Cabinet-level department. Estes was sworn in as an official Cabinet member just last month.

McCrory praised Estes in a release for saving taxpayer money and helping citizens and businesses interact more easily with state government through technology.

Estes departure is effective November 29.  He plans to return to a consulting firm where he used to work. Deputy State CIO Keith Werner will fill Estes' duties as the acting state CIO. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report