As part of Industry Insider — California’s ongoing efforts to educate readers on state agencies, their IT plans and initiatives, here’s the latest in our periodic series of interviews with departmental IT leaders.
Mike Wentworth is chief information officer and director of the Information Services Department (ISD) at San Mateo County, both roles he has had since April 5. A county executive manager for the past 13 years, he had been serving as interim CIO since May 2021, following the departure of longtime CIO Jon Walton. Wentworth has worked at San Mateo County since 1996 and his previous roles have included deputy chief information officer/assistant director of ISD, deputy director of administrative services and airports in Public Works, and director of administration and information services at the Human Services Agency.
Industry Insider — California: As CIO at your organization, how do you describe your role? How have your role and responsibilities changed in recent years in terms of their intersection with IT and innovation?
Wentworth: My role is to lead our team of technology professionals to provide innovative information technology services to county departments that support their delivery of high-quality services to our residents and visitors; and partner with regional IT leaders on shared initiatives. Since the pandemic and wildfire emergencies of 2020, the focus of my role has shifted more toward providing services directly to the public. Examples of this work include nearly quadrupling the (San Mateo County) SMC Public Wi-Fi network to support families without Internet access; enhancements to our Board of Supervisors’ meeting to enable greater participation by residents in the county’s legislative process through online and in-person access, as well as live interpretive services in Spanish, Tagalog and Chinese; and upgrading the county’s website to provide residents improved access to public information. The websites can be translated into more than 50 languages. We have also created various dashboards to better inform the public about the county’s efforts to reduce risks related to natural disasters, end homelessness, increase economic recovery, and improve data transparency. We are also working to implement smart street technologies concurrently with one of the county’s road improvement projects. The project includes public Wi-Fi access, smart parking and street lighting, digital signage, roadway usage analytics and other technologies that will improve the visitor experience in the neighborhood in a way that is complimentary to the community’s values. All this work aligns with our Board of Supervisors’ and county executive’s goals of equity and social justice, increases public engagement, improves access to information and services, and creates a remarkable experience for everyone. Also, our level of engagement with county departments and regional partners has increased as we all explore opportunities to enhance services based on lessons learned during the emergencies and the latest changes in technology. Going forward, we are engaged in transforming how we serve the public with a focus on resiliency and innovation. Everything from new mobile applications to advanced data analytics and AI-enabled technologies is underway. It’s a very exciting time.
Industry Insider — California: Does your organization have a strategic plan? How big a role do you personally play in writing that strategic plan?
Wentworth: The county of San Mateo operates on a two-year budget and now is the time when departments prepare their strategic plans and associated budgets. I lead all aspects of the strategic planning and budget formation. I just concluded our kickoff sessions to start this work. There were many small group sessions with every member of the department, and over the next few months I will be working with all our teams and customers to establish goals and objectives for the next two-year cycle. This is critical to creating a comprehensive plan that will ensure the department is well-prepared to support our customers as they achieve their goals. I anticipate posting the strategic plan on our public-facing website in late June 2023. Our countywide five-year strategic plan just expired this year so we will be working on that in 2023 as well. The five-year strategic plan is more of a visioning process and less tactical than our two-year budget and strategic plan, so it gives us an opportunity to dream big.
Industry Insider — California: What big initiatives or projects are coming up? What sorts of developing opportunities and RFPs should we be watching for in the next six to 12 months?
Wentworth: In addition to the innovation projects I referenced in the first question, the department is focused on enhancements to cybersecurity, remote work and process improvement technologies, advanced digital services, telecommunications, microwave/radio, enterprise operations platform, broadband expansion, and GIS.
Industry Insider — California: In your opinion, what should local government be doing more of in technology?
Wentworth: I believe government should incentivize technology growth and utilize technology to enhance services to the public. I am grateful to be part of an organization that invests in technology, and that we challenge the technology community through the public procurement process to solve problems and improve services. As a result, the technology community continues to invest in solutions that benefit everyone. We will need this partnership in a future, more hyperconnected world. Especially across fields that are currently unrelated.
Industry Insider — California: How do you define “digital transformation?” How far along is your organization in that process, and how will you know when it’s finished?
Wentworth: That’s a great question. For me, it’s more than just improving something using technology. I can always provide a new piece of equipment with new capabilities, improve a work process, improve data analytics, or automate something. I like to consider technology, economic, and social disruptors to help us realize new opportunities never considered before that raise up everyone. The county of San Mateo and my department have been making strides in this area and will continue to do so. I don’t believe the work will ever be done, and that is very exciting for me.
Industry Insider — California: What is your estimated IT budget and how many employees do you have? What is the overall budget?
Wentworth: The department has 135 positions and a budget of almost $80 million for Fiscal Year 2022-23; and the county’s FY 2022-23 budget is $3.4 billion. I should note that the county of San Mateo invests more through the other 24 departments, some with their own IT staff and line of business needs. I am very lucky that both the Board of Supervisors and the county executive officer value technology and the opportunities it brings to our work.
Industry Insider — California: How do you prefer to be contacted by vendors, including via social media such as LinkedIn? How might vendors best educate themselves before meeting with you?
Wentworth: To preserve the public procurement process, I generally meet with vendors after they have been awarded a contract. That said, I attend conferences and informational meetings where vendors are presenting their products or services to groups. I really appreciate hearing and seeing those presentations.
Industry Insider — California: In your tenure in this position, which project or achievement are you most proud of?
Wentworth: I’ve been in the role since the end of March 2021, and there have been so many projects and achievements since then. These projects, along with our customers’ technology projects, have helped create a more resilient, flexible, innovative and equitable San Mateo County. I suppose if I had to pick one specific achievement, it would be that everyone is seeing and appreciating technology as an integral part of their business and service delivery. I know our technical teams are seeing that appreciation, and it is very gratifying for all of us.
Industry Insider — California: What has surprised you most this year in government technology?
Wentworth: I’m very pleased about the accomplishments of government technology over the last couple of years. And I am extremely proud of our teams and the county’s support of the community during unprecedented times. Our teams have helped stabilize the county’s ability to serve the community. I suppose I am most surprised at how quickly everyone is focused on technology and how it can help improve resiliency and future success. As a result, I have asked our teams to focus on innovation, process improvements, and total user experience. This includes focus on resident-centric services, modernization, cybersecurity/identity management, AI/(machine learning) ML/blockchain technology, automation, and cloud services.
Industry Insider — California: What do you read to stay abreast of developments in the gov tech/SLED sector?
Wentworth: Obviously, I read Government Technology* and Industry Insider.* I also read resources from membership groups I belong to, and I’m currently reading (listening) to the Harvard Business Review’s “10 Must Reads on Leading Digital Transformation” on Google Play because that is top of mind for me right now. I also talk a lot with my local, state, and federal colleagues on shared interests and strategies.
Industry Insider — California: What are your hobbies and what do you enjoy reading?
Wentworth: I don’t really have a hobby. That said, I like to try new things and it generally it involves me making something or learning something new. I enjoy reading all kinds of things that helps with my “hobby,” and I always enjoy a good spy novel or movie.
*Government Technology and Industry Insider — California are part of e.Republic.
Editor’s note: This interview has been lightly edited for style and brevity.
CIO: Pandemic, Wildfires Shifted Role Toward Direct Public Services
