Barbee will start April 20, bringing more than a decade of executive-level experience managing enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity initiatives and large-scale technology projects.
As technology solutions director, a CIO-equivalent role, Barbee will oversee strategic planning, cybersecurity and project governance. His role is also responsible for aligning technology systems with the operational needs of city departments and City Council priorities, while maintaining secure and reliable services for employees and residents.
In announcing the appointment, city officials pointed to that breadth of responsibility and Barbee’s experience managing complex technology environments. He “brings exactly the kind of forward-thinking leadership we need right now,” City Manager Bo Ferguson said in a statement, noting Barbee’s “proven record of strengthening infrastructure, improving security, and delivering complex technology projects that support large, mission-driven organizations.”
Barbee was most recently executive director and chief technology officer for Durham Technical Community College, where he led infrastructure and networking upgrades, expanded IT services and supported new technology initiatives. He was also a member of the institution’s Executive Leadership Team, advising on technology and operational priorities.
Before that, he served as IT director III for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing a nearly 200-person team responsible for 24/7 enterprise operations, according to the announcement. Earlier still, he held leadership roles in health care, including positions at Granville Health System and UNC Health Care, where his work included infrastructure consolidation, cybersecurity recovery efforts and enterprise technology upgrades. He has a degree in electrical and biomedical engineering from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from Regis University according to LinkedIn.
Barbee said in a statement that he “look[s] forward to working with departments across the city to build secure, reliable, and forward-thinking technology that makes it easier for employees and residents to access the services they rely on,” and that “[s]trengthening our technology systems, improving cybersecurity, and expanding innovative tools will be essential as we modernize for the future.”
