Ep.157 Transforming Maricopa County: A CIO's Insights on AI Advancements and Entrepreneurship in GovTech

Show Notes
“We can talk about all the great things we want to do. We can talk about how we leverage technology for all these outcomes. In the end, you have to deliver. That's what matters.” ~Richard McHattie

🔗 Connect with Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-mchattie-42602a5/

“Our primary responsibility is you've got to secure the enterprise. And without that, you know, not much else matters.” ~ Richard McHattie

On this episode of The Public Sector Show by TechTables, we sit down with Richard McHattie, CIO for Maricopa County. From working in his parents' RFID startup, pioneering implantable microchips for pets, to his current role as the CIO of one of the largest counties in the US, Richard shares the challenges, triumphs, and unexpected turns that shaped his path in technology, leadership, and public service, including:

🎙️ Perspectives on securing the enterprise, data priorities, and the ongoing journey of digital government transformation in Maricopa County

🎙️ Know your “why:” How work ethic follows passion for the mission

🎙️ Hands-on leadership and the entrepreneurial mindset advantage

🎙️ Improving customer experience through entrepreneurial initiatives in AI, conversational AI, and robotic process automation

🎙️ How to collaborate with early-stage startups, break down barriers in procurement, and foster a culture of innovation

🎙️ Q&A questions from Montana CIO Kevin Gilbertson and fmr. Florida CIO Jamie Grant

🎙️ And more!

⭐️ Leave a Review

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, ⁠please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts⁠ and let us know in your review who you want to see next on the podcast. Thanks!

You can also Tweet us on ⁠@thejoetoste⁠ and tell us what lessons you learned from the episode so we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏🙏

🔗 Connect with TechTables

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

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

Twitter ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thejoetoste⁠

Follow us on Instagram! ⁠https://www.instagram.com/techtablespodcast/⁠

Website ⁠https://www.techtables.com/

🎥 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.

Join now: https://www.techtables.com/

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.