FDIC CIO Gross to retire after 40 years

Another long-time federal technology executive is calling it a career. Larry Gross, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s chief information officer, announced Wednesday he is retiring in January after 40 years of federal and military service.

A FDIC spokeswoman confirmed Gross’ decision, and said Howard Whyte, FDIC’s chief information security officer (CISO), will serve as acting CIO starting Oct. 1.

Additionally, the spokeswoman said Noreen Padilla, the current deputy director in the Division of Information Technology (DIT), will serve as acting CISO.

Gross will assist in the transition until his retirement.

During his career, Gross worked at several agencies, including the last almost two years as FDIC’s CIO and chief privacy officer.

At the FDIC, Gross came in during a tumultuous time when its previous CIO left under uncertain circumstances, and then faced a data breach and tough questioning from Congress. FDIC sustained a series of seven data breaches involving tens of thousands of confidential files.

Gross launched several cyber initiatives to improve the security of FDIC’s networks and data, including using digital rights management to protect information, no longer letting employees use removable media like thumb drives and creating a new incident tracking system.

In June, Gross issued FDIC’s strategic IT plan for the next three years. In the strategy, it calls for the agency to focus on five goals, including developing mobile technologies for FDIC applications and creating data management and analysis capabilities.

Gross came to the FDIC after serving as CIO of the Agriculture Department’s Farm Service Agency. He previously was deputy CIO for the Interior Department and associate CIO for the Treasury Department. Gross also worked in the information technology areas of the Department of Energy, Department of Justice, and the Navy.

Whyte has been with FDIC since January after spending a just over a year with Goldman Sachs and seven years with NASA.

FedScoop first reported Gross’s decision to retire.

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