In a significant nod to outstanding leadership and technological innovation in the public sector, Sandra Jeffries-Perry, Shelby County Government’s Chief Information Officer, has been named Tennessee’s CIO of the Year. The honor underscores her role in driving efficiency and transparency within Shelby County's governmental operations.
Shelby County's announcement details Chief Perry’s historic rise as the first black woman to lead the county’s IT division, a role she's excelled in for over three decades. Her latest achievement, the CIO ORBIE Award, celebrates her ability to transform complex systems into streamlined, community-centric solutions.
Chief Perry's impactful work includes overhauling the criminal justice system through technological updates to the integrated Criminal Justice (iCJIS) System, which greatly enhanced data sharing and efficiency, and upgrading the county's email systems which, was crucial as the demand for multimedia support increased for public events such as courtrooms and commissioner meetings. Her collaborative efforts with the Division of Planning and Development have also revolutionized the process of applying for permits via Develop901.com, effectively increasing access and transparency for Shelby County residents and businesses.
“I congratulate Chief Perry on this well-deserved recognition. Her dedication and commitment to her role sets Shelby County apart from our peers
and will advance the work of every division. We all look forward to her continued success in the future.” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, according to the county's official statement. Similarly, Shelby County Chief Administrative Officer Harold Collins credited the IT Services Division’s success to Perry's "visionary leadership."
Eddie Jones, Shelby County Probate Court Clerk and IT Steering Committee Chair echoed these sentiments, praising Chief Perry's leadership on the new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) initiative. "As the Shelby County Government IT Steering Committee Chair, I congratulate Chief Perry on receiving this distinguished award. Chief Perry's leadership in the development of the new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) initiative will significantly advance Shelby County's technological capabilities, taking us into a new era," he said, per Shelby County's release.
Born and raised in the historic community of Orange Mound, Jeffries-Perry is a product of Shelby County through and through — from her education at Melrose High School to her higher education at the University of Memphis and Western Governors University. Her broad educational background spans engineering technology, computer systems, and information technology management, allowing her to pair her deep community ties with a forward-thinking approach to technological governance.
