By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (Jan 15, 2026)
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — El Dorado County has formally appointed Amanda Earnshaw as its first Chief Information Officer (CIO), a move the Board of Supervisors says is designed to centralize technology leadership and strengthen the county’s digital infrastructure. The appointment took effect Jan. 10, 2026, after a unanimous vote by supervisors at their Jan. 6 meeting.
Earnshaw previously served as interim head of the county’s Department of Information Technologies, where she led efforts to modernize systems and increase cybersecurity protections. The CIO role was created following a competitive recruitment process and recommendations from a county grand jury to elevate technology leadership countywide.
“I am honored to continue serving El Dorado County in this expanded role,” Earnshaw told the Board, emphasizing her commitment to advancing IT governance, cybersecurity, and collaboration across departments. Her nearly two decades of service include oversight of key systems supporting thousands of users and mission-critical county operations.
County officials noted the creation of the CIO post reflects a strategic shift toward enterprise-wide governance of digital services, prioritizing risk management, compliance, and long-term operational resilience. “Elevating this position underscores our commitment to secure, modern technology for all county departments,” said a Board member during the vote.
In her interim role, Earnshaw oversaw projects including email security upgrades and device refresh programs, and briefed supervisors on ongoing efforts to adopt AI governance practices responsibly. Her leadership will now guide a multi-year roadmap for IT improvements that support public services and internal functions.
