Los Angeles Chief Data Officer Abhi Nemani left the city toward the end of September. Nemani announced the departure internally and within his community of data scientists after 13 months of opening data sets and coordinating open data efforts across the city.
"Illuminating, educational and useful," Nemani wrote of his time as CDO with the city in an unofficial announcement. "Now having gotten a chance to be on the inside, I'm excited to apply those learnings further. It's been a privilege to serve the people of Los Angeles, and work with the fantastic public servants there, and I can't speak highly enough about how useful it's been to learn about civic innovation from inside City Hall. Thanks for everyone who made this year a special one, and welcoming me so warming into the city. And know that data in the City of Angels is in good hands with Lilian Coral and the whole team in the Mayor's Office."
Nemani said he made the decision to the city on Sept. 10, and then made this announcement via email to key stakeholders on Sept. 21.
Coral is the city's deputy chief data officer, though Los Angeles has not given word as to her role following Nemani's departure or announced plans for Nemani's replacement.
According to Nemani's LinkedIn profile, he opened more than 400 data sets, bringing Los Angles' national open data ranking to No. 1. He also built a data dashboard for the mayor, worked with universities to reduce auto collision rates, and created new projects and NGOs to sustain innovation in the city.
Nemani continues to serve on the board of directors for the OpenGov Foundation, and has created a citywide initiative called #techLA that aims to engage the technology community in civic innovation. It features monthly events, a technology challenge, and many additional opportunities to strengthen the city.
This story was originally published by Government Technology.
