April 27, 2023

Ep.130 Helping Communities Thrive with Rob Lloyd, Dep City Manager and Khaled Tawfik, CIO, City of San Jose

Ep.130 Helping Communities Thrive with Rob Lloyd, Dep City Manager and Khaled Tawfik, CIO, City of San Jose
Ep.130 Helping Communities Thrive with Rob Lloyd, Dep City Manager and Khaled Tawfik, CIO, City of San Jose
The Public Sector Show by TechTables
Ep.130 Helping Communities Thrive with Rob Lloyd, Dep City Manager and Khaled Tawfik, CIO, City of San Jose

Today on The Public Sector Show by TechTables we talk about making space for others to succeed, what separates good from great CIOs, using empathy to build a Smart City, and more with Rob Lloyd, Deputy City Manager, and Khaled Tawfik, CIO, City of San José.


Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roblloyd/
Connect with Khaled: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iktawfik/


Timestamps
00:00 Intro
06:04 The Best Boba in San Jose
08:34 How to Hire Your Replacement
11:25 Making Space for Success
13:05 What Separates Good from Great CIOs
17:04 Jumping into the Role of CIO
18:55 Building a Smart City, Empathy-First
20:31 Broadband and Digital Empowerment
22:12 San Jose's Start-Up Mentality
27:33 Top Takeaways from CIOs
37:08 Outro
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Rob Lloyd Profile Photo

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Director of the Information Technology Department, City of Seattle

Rob Lloyd is transforming how cities serve their communities through human-centered technology. As Chief Technology Officer for the City of Seattle, he orchestrates a $290 million technology portfolio and leads 650 innovators in pioneering smart city solutions that have made Seattle a national model for digital transformation in local government.

Previously, as San Jose's deputy city manager for Transportation, Aviation and Technology, Rob managed a $1.5 billion portfolio and workforce of over 1,000. His achievements include launching an award-winning digital inclusion initiative connecting 100,000 residents to broadband services and developing the nation's first municipal AI ethics framework.

Throughout his 20-year career across four states, Rob has earned over 40 national honors, including recognition as a two-time Government Technology "25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers" honoree and three-time StateScoop City Executive of the Year. His human-first approach to digital transformation has established a new standard for how cities leverage technology to create more inclusive, sustainable communities.