As a Sacramento-based firm, we bring more than market expertise — we bring longstanding relationships and a deep understanding of the community we serve.
George Akiyama is the Founder and Principal of Akiyama Government Strategies (AGS), a boutique advisory firm dedicated to strengthening relationships, strategy, and executive alignment across California’s public-sector technology landscape. With more than two decades of service in California state government, including his tenure as the Governor-appointed Chief Information Officer for Caltrans, George brings a rare, insider-level understanding of how statewide initiatives, budget cycles, governance processes, and leadership priorities shape technology outcomes.
Throughout his career, George has led some of the state’s most complex technology organizations and modernization efforts. As CIO of Caltrans, he guided a 600-person IT division, managed a $135 million enterprise portfolio, authored the department’s multi-year IT Strategic Plan, and established a governance framework that modernized decision-making and operational accountability. His leadership included legislative testimony, enterprise lifecycle management, and the launch of an IT leadership development program that helped mature the department’s executive pipeline. Recognized as CIO of the Year and a CIO Academy IT Leadership Award recipient, George is known for his strategic clarity, disciplined execution, and commitment to enabling public-sector outcomes through thoughtful leadership and collaboration. Prior to Caltrans, George held senior leadership roles at CalPERS, the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal), and the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). His work at AGS is grounded in the belief that successful public-sector technology engagements are built on trust, alignment, and a genuine understanding of how decisions are made at the executive level. Born and raised in Sacramento, at AGS, George brings the full weight of his experience, relationships, and public-service mindset to support organizations committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for California’s residents, agencies, and technology partners. He has recently earned the Asian Pacific State Employee Association "Lifetime Achievement Award" and has served on its Foundation Board.
Today, AGS partners with software companies, system integrators, and government leaders to help them navigate California’s complex IT ecosystem. Through AGS, we provide strategic advisory services focused on executive engagement, market positioning, and long-term relationship strategy.
