Overview

April 7

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered how mid-size cities and counties view technology, according to new national research from the Center for Digital Government. More than half of respondents say digital transformation has become more important since the pandemic hit and almost 70 percent expect more than half of their services and processes to become digital. These are just a few findings from this ground-breaking survey focused specifically on how mid-sized government jurisdictions are approaching IT modernization.

Join the Center for Digital Government and Amazon Web Services on April 7 at 11 a.m. Pacific/2 p.m. Eastern as our experts analyze the survey results and explain what they mean to your organization. We’ll look at key digital transformation trends among mid-sized governments today -- and identify the challenges and opportunities that exist as they move forward.

-- How the pandemic is changing attitudes at traditionally risk-averse agencies

-- Which four trends will move digital transformation forward (hint: the first one is overcoming resistance and fear of change)

-- What factors are most important for building leadership buy-in for digital transformation

Speakers

Shonte Eldridge

Executive Government Advisor, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Shonte Eldridge currently serves as an Executive Government Advisor with Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this role she is responsible for engaging State and Local Government leaders to build cloud frameworks that reduce cost, improve service delivery, change customer experience and transform the organization into a modern, inclusive, equitable and innovative enterprise. Prior to joining AWS, Ms. Eldridge worked in the public sector for over 20 years and held various C-suite positions including the Deputy Chief of Operations for the City of Baltimore, Chief of Policy, Planning and External Affairs for the Office of the States Attorney for Baltimore City and Chief of Policy for Maryland’s Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention. During her time in government she was known for using technology to solve some of the largest operational and social challenges her state and local governments faced, as well as changing the culture to more readily accept and try new technologies. Ms. Eldridge’s work in the industry has appeared in numerous national publications and is often called upon to speak and conduct workshops on the importance of creating holistic digital transformation strategies and how to implement technology that improves operations and delivers a better customer experience.

Jeff Friedman

Leader, Citizen Services, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Through his work with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Jeff helps deliver world-class constituent services to local governments. Launched in 2006, AWS began offering key infrastructure services to businesses in the form of web services — now widely known as cloud computing. The ultimate benefit of cloud computing, and AWS, is the ability to leverage a new business model and turn capital infrastructure expenses into variable costs. Jeff works closely with local governments to ensure they can benefit from the same cloud technologies used by hundreds of thousands of businesses around the world. Prior to AWS, Jeff spent his career in the local government space, working as a management and productivity consultant, in technology, and for the City of Philadelphia where he had several different roles in various departments, including setting up the City's 311 system.

Phil Bertolini — Moderator

Co-executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Phil Bertolini is the Co-Executive Director of the Center for Digital Government (CDG), a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Previously, he served as deputy county executive and CIO for Oakland County, Michigan. During his 31-year tenure, Phil built a world-class IT organization in the second-largest county in Michigan, just north of Detroit. As Oakland County CIO, he oversaw more than 150 employees serving over 1.2 million residents. In 2005, he was also promoted to deputy county executive, holding dual positions until his retirement. Phil’s efforts earned the county national attention, winning numerous awards for technology innovation and excellence. He was named one of Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year and Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers. He was also honored by the President Obama White House as a Champion of Change for 2012.

Webinar

Find out how mid-sized governments are changing their approach to technology