Chris Stewart
240
July 23, 2026
#240: How Successful Local Government CIOs are Winning Funding Despite Budget Cuts
Recorded at the inaugural WRITA spring conference, this episode brings together Scott Conn (CIO, City of Mesa and WRITA chair), Mary Wynne (CEO, Fusion Learning Partners/PTI), and returning guest Chris Stewart (CRO, Freeit Data Solutions, former City of Austin CIO). They unpack how WRITA was built as an all-hands regional alternative to CIO-only clubs, and how leaders are handling local government IT budget cuts — through tools-first strategy, real partnerships over transactional vendors, transparent communication, and continued investment in professional development.
![#170: How Large City CIOs are Building Responsive Government, Regional Collaboration, and Future Talent Pipelines [Big Sky, MT Airbnb Experience]](https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/redwood-labs/showpage/uploads/images/44775572-1873-4940-8285-8c70188ada5a.png "#170: How Large City CIOs are Building Responsive Government, Regional Collaboration, and Future Talent Pipelines [Big Sky, MT Airbnb Experience]")
170
Feb. 15, 2024
#170: How Large City CIOs are Building Responsive Government, Regional Collaboration, and Future Talent Pipelines [Big Sky, MT Airbnb Experience]
Featuring
Mark Wittenburg, CIO of Raleigh
Rob Lloyd, Deputy City Manager of San Jose
Chris Stewart, former CIO of the City of Austin
Episode Highlights:
Building Responsive Government Services
San Jose's two-pronged approach to responsiveness using IAP2 spectrum for public participation and human-centered design to truly understand community needs
Austin's comprehensive accessibility initiatives ensuring digital services work for visually and hearing impaired residents and tho...
Mark Wittenburg, CIO of Raleigh
Rob Lloyd, Deputy City Manager of San Jose
Chris Stewart, former CIO of the City of Austin
Episode Highlights:
Building Responsive Government Services
San Jose's two-pronged approach to responsiveness using IAP2 spectrum for public participation and human-centered design to truly understand community needs
Austin's comprehensive accessibility initiatives ensuring digital services work for visually and hearing impaired residents and tho...