#81: Kevin Gilbertson, CIO, State of Montana - Workforce of the Future: Growing Your Public Sector Alumni

We cover Kevin's unique perspectives on the benefits of private sector experience in the public sector, utilizing internship opportunities to create a culture of alumni who want to return and serve, Montana's Digital Challenge, and the low code, no code strategy.

Connect with Kevin Gilbertson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgilbertson/

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

00:50 Kevin shares his background in the private sector and how having a non-exclusively public sector background can benefit persons in CIO roles

09:37 Kevin discusses how onboarding people into the Public Sector through internship and apprenticeship opportunities can be a win-win

11:19 It's not just about pay: Kevin relates how the ability to impact citizens' lives for the better brings value beyond monetary compensation

13:34 Send them out and welcome them back- Kevin talks about the importance of creating an "alumni" mindset that encourages former employees to want to come back when they are ready to serve again

18:58 How incorporating learning-based goals alongside results-driven goals can produce better overall outcomes

19:59 What is the Montana Digital Challenge and the next steps being taken towards going 100% digital?

26:32 The low code, no code strategy and how it's being implemented in Montana

Get new episodes directly in your inbox - We send updates every week and bonus content over the weekend. Join the newsletter below.

TechTables is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Follow us:

LinkedIn TechTables https://www.linkedin.com/company/techtables/

LinkedIn - Connect with Joe! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/

Twitter https://twitter.com/thejoetoste

🎥 Upcoming Live Podcast Tours

1. 2026 IGNITE Powered by Info-Tech LIVE - Austin, TX - Sept. 17th-18th

If you’re an IT leader in Austin, Houston, or nearby, Info-Tech’s got complimentary tickets with your name on them (just DM me I’ll be there). IGNITE is getting past the AI hype and into the real questions CIOs are wrestling with: how to get your people actually using AI, what the shift from “employee in the loop” to “employee on the loop” looks like, and how to budget when the costs keep moving up.

→ Ready to join the conversation in person? Email joe@techtables.com

Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:

1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter

Thanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more — straight to your inbox.

2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?

Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader — our next retreat is November 4th-6th in Austin, TX!

Learn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government

3. 🤝 The Better Together Series

The narrative-driven series bringing together industry partners and public sector CXOs. Discover the compelling stories that unfold when we stop working in silos and start building together.

»»» Email joe@techtables.com to learn more.