The Washington tech upgrade has officially entered a new phase with the arrival of Gretchen Peri as the new Chief Technology Officer for WaTech. She is scheduled to begin her role on September 2, 2025, and her appointment signals a strong commitment to modernizing digital services across the state. With more than twenty-five years of experience supporting public sector technology, she brings a mix of innovation, leadership discipline, and human-centered thinking. Her mission revolves around designing technology that improves real-life outcomes for residents rather than building systems that favor internal convenience.
Vision Centered on People
Peri chose to join WaTech because she wanted to make a deep and lasting impact in one community. She shared that her purpose is to help residents feel confident when interacting with state services. She plans to introduce a culture where everyone values clarity, simplicity, fairness, and emotional support. The Washington tech upgrade will not only focus on tools but also shift mindsets toward respect, inclusion, and long-term trust.
Strategic Roadmap for Modernization
The Washington tech upgrade aligns with WaTech’s multi-year modernization efforts. The plan places strong emphasis on digital service improvement, workforce development, and statewide leadership in technology standards. Peri intends to support these goals through measurable action steps, improved accountability, and stronger decision-making frameworks. She believes technology should not be treated as an optional enhancement but as a foundational public service.
Resident-First Service Design
Peri’s philosophy focuses on designing systems around the needs of residents. She suggests that digital services must work on every device, support multiple languages, and meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities. The Washington tech upgrade will prioritize research-based design by interacting with residents, learning from feedback, and refining services through iterative improvement. She calls it a transformation from process-driven delivery to compassion-driven service.
Responsible Use of AI and Cloud Technology
Peri views artificial intelligence, automation, and cloud platforms as powerful opportunities for the Washington tech upgrade. However, she remains committed to ethical guardrails. She plans to develop clear standards and protection guidelines to ensure transparency, fairness, and safety. She believes that modern technology must help residents complete tasks more easily, access information faster, and avoid stress caused by confusing or outdated systems.
Solving Data Fragmentation Challenges
Washington agencies store large volumes of valuable data, yet much of it is spread across separate systems. Peri considers data fragmentation to be one of the most serious barriers to measurable progress. As part of the Washington tech upgrade, she plans to encourage secure data integration so that agencies can analyze trends, track outcomes, and make decisions based on collective insight. Her approach focuses on transforming data from archived records into active intelligence.
Innovation for Community Benefit
Peri sees digital innovation as a tool to support quality of life. She believes that responsible AI and automated technology can assist with infrastructure inspections, service requests, environmental monitoring, and crisis response. She wants the Washington tech upgrade to support not only convenience but also well-being, preparedness, and sustainability. Her view of innovation extends beyond performance metrics and moves into long-term community value.
Culture, Training, and Workforce Preparedness
Although technology plays a major role, Peri acknowledges that mindset and culture are the real foundation. She plans to build a supportive environment where teams embrace learning, experimentation, collaboration, and accountability. To achieve this, she wants to automate repetitive work so employees can focus on strategic thinking. The Washington tech upgrade will improve confidence across teams through ongoing training rather than one-time training events.
Measuring Success Through Real Experiences
Peri believes the success of the Washington tech upgrade will be measured by how residents feel when they use state services. She hopes the transformation results in fewer frustrations, faster answers, and more predictable process outcomes. She wants people to describe state technology as reliable, friendly, and surprisingly smooth during major life events such as job changes, family needs, or emergency situations.
Conclusion: A Human-Centered Digital Future
The Washington tech upgrade marks the beginning of a new era for statewide technology leadership. Under Peri’s guidance, WaTech intends to move from outdated systems into a modern, responsible, and emotionally aware service model. The transformation is not only technical; it is cultural. Every system, tool, and policy aims to serve people first. Washington now stands at the threshold of a digital future built on innovation, dignity, and public trust.
