Workforce and People

What started as adult education focused on agriculture and home economics has grown into a flagship program at Louisiana State University, with certifications in fields such as AI, cybersecurity and cloud computing.

Police departments and emergency dispatch centers need more workers. Gov tech suppliers are rushing to the rescue, promising new software, data integration and other tools to make up for vacant positions.

The Chicago City Council has confirmed Nick Lucius as CIO to spearhead strategy for the just-created Department of Technology and Innovation. Lucius has a background in law and data science.

Western Maricopa Education Center school board member Robert Garcia recommends that school districts engage directly with employers to get a sense of what AI skills will be most important for students to learn.

Tyson Morris, the former chief information officer in Chattanooga, Tenn., is the new CIO for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. He’ll guide it through application upgrades and digital transformation work.

From digital inclusion to AI innovation, we take a closer look at Government Technology’s honorees in the 23rd year of its annual awards. In conversation with editorial staff, we focus on the work of five particular leaders.

The move comes amid wider debate about the role of green energy in law enforcement. Flock Safety says the flexibility of its new camera can also help ease police staffing shortages, a longstanding issue.

The U.S. Department of Labor has released guidance for employers and developers amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Several focus on protecting and empowering staff.

Former CTO Matt Van Syckle has taken a new job with private-sector firm KWR Strategies LLC. An interim CTO has been named as the state looks to fill the role.

A new claims portal is in place and call center upgrades are ongoing as state officials make large-scale changes to the technology behind Employment Development Department services. Next up: an RFP to replace the mainframe.

The city of Cleveland is expanding the chief innovation and technology officer position to oversee data and 311 services. The revised position was posted shortly after the city launched its first open data portal.

A public community college in Washington is seeking approval from its accreditor for a bachelor's of science program in computer science to address the community's educational and workforce needs.

Natalie Evans Harris, the state’s new chief data officer, brings nonprofit and public-sector experience to the job. Jason Silva leaves the Department of Transportation to become the deputy chief technology officer of platform services.

Jason Bowen, an Army veteran who previously worked as a senior security executive for a private-sector consulting firm, has been hired as the state’s new chief information security officer to replace Adam Ford.

David Johnson, a veteran state staffer who became executive director of the Department of Information Technology Services in November 2020, will retire in June. A search for his replacement is underway.

The state of Indiana has implemented a tool called Pivot, which leverages artificial intelligence to support job seekers by unveiling potential career paths personalized to their career goals. Later this year, it will begin to take on other tasks.

After just more than 15 months in the role, the state’s technology leader will step down effective May 31. North Dakota Deputy CIO Greg Hoffman has been tapped to fill the role in an interim capacity.

Our 2024 class of award winners is a talented group of not only technologists, but state and local leaders pushing the bounds of what it means to serve residents.