For nearly a quarter-century, Government Technology’s* Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers awards have honored those who work tirelessly at the state and local levels to propel government toward the future. This year’s group is made up of CIOs, CISOs and innovation and data officers, as well as those pushing for advancements in AI, accessibility and education. They are using their skills in their agencies and communities to redefine what it means to work in public-sector IT, continuing to bridge gaps and meet all residents where they are.
California had three honorees among the Top 25, and this week we'll profile all three. Today's subject is Jose Gonzalez, chief technology officer for the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
As chief technology officer for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), Gonzalez is responsible for tech leadership across 80 school districts serving nearly 2 million students. It’s the nation’s largest regional education agency, and Gonzalez works to make it a hub for both help and collaboration.
Since joining LACOE in 2021, he’s brought tech teams from the county’s schools together to create templates that can then be tailored to meet each district’s needs. This past summer, for example, the agency worked with district staff and students to create step-by-step instructions for the use of artificial intelligence in schools.
That collaborative spirit extends to LACOE’s quarterly “tech talks,” where IT staff from the county’s many districts are invited to network and share ideas. Gonzalez added that these events often draw national experts as well.
“Sometimes it’s difficult for the FBI or the DOJ or the different resources that are statewide to go to all 80 districts,” Gonzalez said. “So bringing them all to one place, they get to meet and interact with these support systems and folks that can back them up when they do have an issue.”
Such consolidation has worked with vendors as well. By handling procurement agreements and creating “piggyback-able” contracts, Gonzalez said LACOE has been able to save districts money and time.
“I always tell the vendors, you can either give us really good pricing, or you can bid 80 different times at 80 different districts,” he said.
Most recently, Gonzalez and his team went to bat for LACOE schools affected by the January wildfires, working with the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation and vendor partners to secure Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hot spots for students.
“We’re helping get technology to these districts that lost all this equipment,” he said. “At least while they’re temporarily placed in different schools, they’ll have access to hardware and devices.”
Moving forward, Gonzalez said he’s working to create a security operations center at LACOE and expand the agency’s ability to provide backup data hosting for districts.
*Government Technology is part of e.Republic, Industry Insider — California's parent company.
This story originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Government Technology magazine. Click here to view the full digital edition online.
Coming Wednesday: A look at Rebecca Kauma, director of digital equity for Los Angeles County.
One of California's Top Doers, Dreamers and Drivers: Jose Gonzalez
As chief technology officer for the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Gonzalez is responsible for tech leadership across 80 school districts serving nearly 2 million students.
