City of Austin Gets Chief Innovation Officer

Our two-year effort to support a new Office of Civic Innovation within the City of Austin has culminated with the appointment of the first Chief Innovation Officer for the City.

Last night, the City announced:

City Manager Marc Ott announced today, Dec. 17, that he was appointing Kerry O'Connor to become the first Chief Innovation Officer to the City of Austin.

"I expect the Innovation Office to work across City departments, as well as forge relationships between the City, university, community, businesses, and the technology community and to serve as a gateway for proactively engaging diverse constituencies in creating unique and creative solutions to civic challenges," said Austin City Manager Marc Ott.

Ms. O'Connor is scheduled to start March 24, 2014.

We see this position as key for moving forward on the open government and open data policies established by the Mayor and City Council.

For more information, see the press release: City Manager Ott Names First Chief Innovation Officer