Nevada Appoints First Chief Privacy Officer to Strengthen Data Protection

Nevada appoints first statewide chief privacy officer

Nevada is centralizing its data protection strategy with the appointment of Casey Quinn as the state’s first chief privacy officer and general counsel, GovTech reported.

The move shifts privacy oversight from a fragmented model—where responsibilities were split between various technology leaders, legal teams, and agency staff—to a single executive role. Quinn will lead privacy and data protection efforts across all state agencies while simultaneously serving as the top legal adviser for the Governor’s Technology Office (GTO).

This structural change comes as state governments face increasing pressure to manage the vast amounts of personal information they hold. By creating a dedicated position, Nevada aims to move beyond reactive data management and toward a proactive, unified policy framework.

A growing trend in state governance

Nevada is not alone in this shift toward specialized privacy leadership. According to a 2026 report from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, 31 states now employ a chief privacy officer, up from 17 states in 2020.

Despite this momentum, the transition is proving difficult for many jurisdictions. The same report indicates that more than half of all states are still in the process of building their privacy programs, often struggling with insufficient funding, limited staff, and a lack of specialized expertise.

The role of a modern privacy officer extends far beyond mere legal compliance. These officials now influence critical decisions regarding what data agencies collect, who is granted access, and how that information is shared. As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence become more integrated into government services, the stakes for data protection rise.

“The more steps we can take towards data security, the better we can mitigate the impact of data exposure,” State CIO and GTO Executive Director Timothy Galluzi said.

Galluzi noted that while protecting resident information has always been a priority, it has recently “rose to the top of the list.” He specifically highlighted the growing use of AI as a driver for this decision, noting that as agencies look to use AI and share information, the state must pay closer attention to the data powering those efforts.

Strengthening the technology leadership team

Quinn’s appointment is part of a reorganization within the Governor’s Technology Office to strengthen its leadership structure. The GTO also announced two other key appointments to manage the state’s digital infrastructure and communication policies.

Jared Wilkin has been named chief IT manager of the GTO’s Client Services Division. In this capacity, Wilkin will oversee the technology services state employees rely on, including the maintenance of state applications, websites, and databases. He will also manage essential platforms such as ServiceNow and OnBase.

Wilkin is a veteran of Nevada’s state technology systems. He began his career at the Division of Child and Family Services in 2013 as an application developer and eventually became the lead developer for UNITY, the state’s child welfare system. He transitioned to the GTO in 2022, where he has managed work involving various state databases and websites.

Quinn brings legal and technical experience to his role

Quinn brings nearly 20 years of legal experience to the position, spanning both private practice and government service. His background includes serving as a senior deputy attorney general for Nevada, where he handled complex litigation and regulatory compliance. He is a Certified Information Privacy Professional and is licensed to practice law in Nevada, Arizona, and New York.

His mandate includes advising agency leaders on state rules, legislative matters, and the legal implications of emerging technologies. This follows an earlier effort by the state to implement a statewide data classification framework, which provides agencies with a standardized method for sorting and handling information.

The success of this new leadership team will likely depend on how effectively they can balance the push for technological innovation with the necessity of data security. While the appointments provide a clear hierarchy, the challenge remains in securing the resources necessary to protect Nevada’s digital borders in an era of increasingly sophisticated data threats.

The full details of these leadership changes can be found in the official Governor’s Technology Office press release.