Brian Gardner Appointed Interim CIO of Dallas, Taking Over from Outgoing CIO Bill Zielinski

Brian Gardner, Dallas’ six-year chief technology and information security officer, has stepped into a new role as the city’s interim CIO. Gardner, who holds a Ph.D. in information technology, will now lead the city’s Information and Technology Services (ITS) department, overseeing a team of 260 employees who deliver more than 860 systems and services to Dallas’ 13,415 employees and 1.3 million residents.

Gardner’s appointment comes as Bill Zielinski, the city’s outgoing CIO, retired after four years of service. Zielinski will be transitioning to the private sector, as reported by The Dallas Morning News. Under Zielinski’s leadership, Dallas was recognized for launching innovative projects such as a smart neighborhood and a cyber safety app for citizen use. ITS, with a budget of over $140 million, has also increased its focus on cybersecurity since May.

Despite facing technology challenges, ITS has maintained transparency by regularly publishing its accountability report. This report details the department’s performance metrics, timelines, budgets, and successes of IT projects and programs. It also provides updates on the city’s cybersecurity initiatives, including responses to incidents like the May 2023 ransomware attack.

Gardner expressed his commitment to improving city services, embracing innovation, and reducing technical debt during his tenure as interim CIO. He also emphasized the importance of expanding the Technology Accountability Report to provide more information to the public.

This news story was first reported by Industry Insider — Texas, a publication of e.Republic, Government Technology’s parent company. Rae D. DeShong, a Dallas-based e.Republic staff writer, contributed to this report. For more stories by DeShong, visit the link provided.