Press & Recognition

2019

"Happy New Year: A conversation with Digital Services Georgia"
USDS Administrator Matt Cutts sat down with the State of Georgia’s Chief Digital Officer, Nikhil Deshpande for a conversation about the Peach State’s digital service team.

"Georgia pilots new user-centric website"
To modernize the online presence of more than 90 state agencies, Georgia’s Office of Digital Services has connected them under a new content management system, called GovHub, designed to standardize the look of the state’s digital services and make them easier to access.

"NASCIO Honors Nikhil Desphande with Technology Innovator Award"
GTA’s Nikhil Deshpande was honored with a State Technology Innovator award on October 15 at the annual conference of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO).

"Building Georgia's Digital Future"
Together with Digital Services Georgia (DSGa) and the branding specialists from IDEO, (Lullabot) created GovHub, a next-generation platform that helps state agencies serve residents better, leverages new technologies more effectively, and simplifies the lives of overworked staffers.

"How Digital Services Georgia Puts Constituents First"
As local digital service teams continue cropping up across the country, the focus on technological advancements dominates the narrative...At DSGa, Chief Digital Officer Nikhil Deshpande believes the team’s main responsibility is to create better programs for constituents.

"Innovator Profile: Georgia Chief Digital Officer Nikhil Desphande"
USDS Administrator Matt Cutts sat down with the State of Georgia’s Chief Digital Officer, Nikhil Deshpande for a conversation about the Peach State’s digital service team.

2018

"Designing a Modern Digital Platform for the Constituents of Georgia"
Redesign the Georgia.gov platform to provide a more unified, trustworthy and uniquely Georgian citizen experience, while serving the needs of 80 interconnected state agencies.

State of Georgia websites rank 4th overall in the nation
In its 2018 report, the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) ranked Georgia state websites highly. Georgia.gov received #1 primary state website, and the 5 state sites they evaluated were #2 for average page load speed and #4 overall. Additionally, DOR ranked #2, and DPH and DPS each ranked #3 in their respective categories.

"How the State of Georgia provides innovative digital services to citizens"
An interview with Nikhil Deshpande of Office of Digital Services for the State of Georgia on how he and his team provides digital services to digital citizens in innovative ways.

2017

"State of Georgia receives 2017 Government Experience Award"
Recognized for their work in creating websites and digital services that are user-centric and more accessible to Georgia citizens, the Digital Services Georgia team was honored with the Overall State Government Experience award by the Center for Digital Government.

"Georgia is using Alexa to reach more disabled residents"
Georgia becomes one of the first to extend its informational and transactional services onto Amazon's voice-driven platform, Alexa, making content accessible for Georgia citizens.

2016

"GTA's Nikhil Deshpande named to 40 Under 40"
Digital Services Georgia Director, Nikhil Deshpande, is named as one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle's 2016 40 Under 40 recipients.

"GTA's web accessibility initiative receives national IT award"
Digital Services Georgia is recognized for their initiative to ensure the accessibility of state websites to people with a range of disabilities.

"Perspectives with Condace Pressley"
Episode 3.27.16 focuses on the benefits of using Georgia.gov. WSB's Condace Pressley interviews Digital Services Georgia Director Nikhil Deshpande, and Editorial Director Bethany McDaniel.

2015

"Embracing & Managing Negative Feedback"
Georgia stands as an example on how to handle negative feedback on social media.

"Face to Face with Commendable Communicators: Bethany McDaniel, Georgia.gov Interactive"
Editorial Director Bethany McDaniel talks with Kerry Shearer about her take on dealing with negative comments and finding the voice of your organization within social media.

2014

"How Georgia's Portal Embraces Responsive Design"
Written by GeorgiaGov's, Nikhil Deshpande, Peter Lee and Christina Lingga for StateTech Magazine.

2013

"Georgia Goes Drupal"
NextGov by Joseph Marks.

"Georgia Saving Millions with Open Source Technology" 
by Acquia's Brian Heaton.

"15 states jump on the responsive web design bandwagon"
As of last year, only 15 states had their main .gov websites responsive. Digital Services Georgia was one of the first along with Michigan and Utah back in 2012.

Drupal
Digital Services Georgia Case Study

2012

"Georgia Technology Authority Case Study"
A case study by Amazon Web Services on GeorgiaGov's choice for cloud hosting.

2011

"Georgia.Gov has Drupal on its mind"
GovFresh by Luke Fretwell.