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Chandler Treon

Chandler Treon is an Austin-based staff writer. He has a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in literature and a master’s degree in technical communication, all from Texas State University.

  • Illustration of a website on a computer monitor surrounded by tools and accessibility-focused symbols.
    News
    DIR Webinar Highlights Vendor Role in Website Modernization Push
    What to Know:
    • DIR is signaling that vendors may have a role in execution, not just planning, as agencies assess websites for accessibility, navigation, usability and efficiency.
    • The state’s website templates are optional, so the stronger vendor play may be targeted assessment, remediation and modernization support rather than a full rebuild pitch.
    • DIR outlined multiple contracting paths, which could favor vendors already positioned on Shared Technology Services, cooperative contracts, deliverables-based IT services or staff augmentation vehicles.
    Insider
    March 27, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • TxDOT CapMetro Briefing.png
    News
    TxDOT, CapMetro CIOs Detail AI Plans and Vendor Expectations
    What to Know:
    • At an Industry Insider — Texas member briefing, the TxDOT and CapMetro CIOs said AI, network resilience and operational technology security are shaping near-term decisions.
    • CapMetro is focused on separating AI hype from tools that can deliver real return on investment.
    • TxDOT told vendors to make a clear case for value and explain why agencies should care before bringing forward new products.
    Insider
    March 27, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Banner image of a computer chip in light blue.
    News
    Former Texas CISO On What Agencies Want From AI Vendors
    What to Know:
    • Nancy Rainosek recently spoke on a webinar, saying Texas agencies want AI vendors to lead with visibility, governance and control rather than broad transformation claims.
    • Shadow AI and data exposure remain top concerns, creating demand for safer internal tools, stronger controls and secure deployment models.
    • Winning vendors will need to show practical results, fit within Texas compliance requirements and address stakeholders beyond the security office alone.
    Insider
    March 26, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • jury+box.jpg
    News
    Tarrant County Rolls Out New Jury Management System
    What to Know:
    • Tarrant County rolled out a new jury management system and online juror portal starting March 24.
    • The county said the upgrade replaces a platform that had been in use for nearly 20 years.
    • Jurors can now use a QR-enabled summons to access online service tools, email updates and optional text notifications.
    Insider
    March 26, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Austin New Website.png
    News
    Austin Debuts Redesigned Website in Digital Experience Push
    What to Know:
    • Austin launched a redesigned austintexas.gov site on March 19 as part of a broader digital experience modernization effort.
    • The project is tied to a multiyear Material Holdings contract approved in 2024 for up to $5.5 million.
    • The redesign follows years of city concerns about an aging web presence with thousands of pages and heavy resident traffic.
    Insider
    March 24, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • The downtown Houston skyline on a sunny day.
    News
    Houston City Council Advances $945,000 in Tech Purchases
    What to Know:
    • Council approved about $945,000 in technology purchases for Houston Information Technology Services.
    • The largest purchase was $545,000 to Motorola Solutions Inc. for public safety radios and accessories.
    • City leaders pointed to a broader efficiency effort, citing recommendations on consolidation, strategic purchasing and centralization.
    Insider
    March 24, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • CapMetro Austin Train.png
    News
    Profiles in Government: Capital Metro
    What to Know:
    • Capital Metro is Austin’s regional transit agency and is operating with a 2026 budget of $625.2 million.
    • The agency’s capital plan this year includes $15.7 million for IT projects.
    • Capital Metro’s Strategic Plan 2030 includes goals tied to digital transformation, process automation, fare technology and security technology.
    Insider
    March 20, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Cyan blue illustration of a shield with a closed lock in the center against a dark background.
    News
    Collin County Approves Firewall Renewal, Electronic Recording Agreement
    What to Know:
    • Collin County approved a $191,000 Palo Alto firewall support renewal through Dell Marketing LP for county data center network access.
    • Commissioners also approved an agreement with Hopdox LLC to support eRecording alongside the county’s paper-based filing process.
    Insider
    March 20, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • El Paso
    News
    El Paso Climate Debate Sharpens Around Meta Data Center
    What to Know:
    • Public pressure over El Paso’s proposed Meta data center dominated discussion, with speakers tying the project to water use, electricity demand, tax incentives and the city’s Climate Action Plan.
    • City materials indicate the project’s potential impact may be greater than some public comments suggested.
    • Council acknowledged the backlash but stopped short of taking direct action on the Meta agreement during the meeting.
    Insider
    March 19, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • The Cloverleaf AI logo.
    News
    Sean Williams Joins Cloverleaf AI as Senior Account Executive
    Williams said his focus at Cloverleaf AI is helping vendors engage government opportunities earlier, before procurements become late-stage, reactive pursuits.
    Insider
    March 19, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • An entrance to Rice University on a sunny day.
    News
    Rice Space Institute Tops $22.3M in Funding With Space Force Award
    What to Know:
    • Rice has secured $22.3 million in combined new funding for two space research centers.
    • The newest piece is an $8.1 million U.S. Space Force award for a center focused on sensing and data analysis.
    • An earlier $14.2 million Texas Space Commission award supports a second center focused on research, partnerships and workforce training.
    Insider
    March 17, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • The view through a fish-eye lens shows rows of servers in Data Hall B at Facebook's Fort Worth Data Center in Texas.
    News
    ERCOT Moves Toward Batch-Study Process for Large Power Users
    What to Know:
    • ERCOT is planning to shift very large power users from a single-study interconnection model to a batch-study process.
    • The change applies to large-load interconnections of 75 megawatts or more and is tied to Senate Bill 6 and PUCT review.
    • ERCOT’s timeline calls for Batch Study Zero revision requests in June and ongoing batch-study revision requests in September.
    Insider
    March 17, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Mike Robbins.
    News
    Mike Robbins Joins Ivanti as Regional Vice President for U.S. SLED
    What to Know:
    • Mike Robbins has joined Ivanti as regional vice president for U.S. SLED, where he will lead the company’s state, local and education market efforts.
    • Robbins previously spent close to four years at NetApp, most recently serving as district sales manager for SLED Midwest Atlantic.
    • Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles in supply chain and procurement.
    March 13, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • The Texas Capitol building in Austin.
    News
    Tony Sauerhoff Confirmed as State CIO, DIR Executive Director
    What to Know:
    • Sauerhoff had been serving as interim executive director and interim state CIO since January.
    • He stepped into the role after Amanda Crawford left DIR to become commissioner of insurance at the Texas Department of Insurance.
    • Board members described Sauerhoff as the standout candidate and approved his appointment Friday.
    March 13, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • A hand in blue gloves holding a small baggie of drugs against a dark background.
    News
    Midland County Advances $117,000 in Public Safety Tech Purchases
    What to Know:
    • Midland County approved purchases for a drug analyzer, courthouse X-ray system and jail radio infrastructure.
    • A TruNarc device for the Texas Anti-Gang unit will be funded through the TAG grant.
    • Commissioners amended an agreement with TxDOT allowing the Midland County Sheriff’s Office to install Flock license plate reader cameras on TxDOT rights of way.
    Insider
    March 12, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Anh Selissen Banner.png
    News
    Watch: TxDOT CIO Anh Selissen on AI, Automation and What’s Ahead
    Industry Insider’s latest conversation with TxDOT CIO Anh Selissen precedes the March 26 member briefing with CapMetro CIO Tanya Acevedo.
    Insider
    March 12, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Mockup,Medical,Stethoscope,And,Mobile,Smart,Phone,Isolated,On,Wood
    News
    Governor Directs Health Agencies to Review China-Linked Medical Device Risks
    What to Know:
    • Gov. Greg Abbott directed Texas health agencies and state-owned medical facilities to review cybersecurity and procurement policies tied to medical equipment made in China.
    • The order follows federal alerts about vulnerabilities in Chinese-made patient monitoring devices that could expose protected health information.
    • The move builds on Texas’ broader crackdown on foreign-linked technologies and suggests closer scrutiny of connected medical equipment in public-sector health-care settings.
    Insider
    March 10, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • View of downtown Austin, Texas
    News
    Austin Advances IT Consolidation Despite Union Opposition
    What to Know:
    • Austin is moving forward with a plan to centralize departmental IT staff under Austin Technology Services, with team alignment recommendations expected in April.
    • City officials say Gartner benchmarking found Austin’s IT spending and staffing levels well above peer cities, helping drive the consolidation effort.
    • The plan is drawing pushback from AFSCME Local 1624 and employees, who have raised concerns about service impacts, institutional knowledge and the transition process.
    Insider
    March 10, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Wireless Communications Tech.jpg
    News
    DIR Prepares TEX-AN Wireless Communications Services Solicitation
    What to Know:
    • DIR plans to issue a solicitation for wireless, pager and satellite communications services through the Texas Agency Network program.
    • The procurement will cover cellular voice and data plans, wireless infrastructure services and related equipment for eligible government customers.
    • Multiple vendors may be selected to provide services under indefinite quantity contracts.
    Insider
    March 06, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Rows of bright blue code with a shadow in the middle in the shape of a court gavel.
    News
    Texas VetHUB Program Faces Court Challenge After HUB Decertifications
    What to Know:
    • The lawsuit challenges the comptroller’s 2025 emergency rule that converted the Historically Underutilized Business program into Veteran Heroes United in Business.
    • Plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the emergency rule null and void, block enforcement through temporary and permanent injunctions and reinstate HUB certifications.
    • The Global Black Economic Forum says the stakes include more than $4 billion in Fiscal Year 2024 state contracting that went to HUB businesses and more than $1.6 billion in HUB spending by three named agencies.
    Insider
    March 06, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • A flooded road with a partially submerged "Road Closed" sign.
    News
    Kerrville Lands $14.7M Grant for Flood Warning Network
    What to Know:
    • Kerrville Public Utility Board is leading a regional partnership funded through the Texas Middle Mile Program to strengthen flood monitoring and warning capabilities in Kerr County.
    • The buildout is designed to move data from stream and rain gauges, weather stations and Texas Department of Transportation bridge sensors in near real time.
    • Partners include river authorities, local governments, Hill Country Telephone Cooperative and the Texas Department of Transportation.
    Insider
    March 05, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Satellite in Space
    News
    Texas Space Commission Funds UT Austin Space Force Partnership Lab
    What to Know:
    • The Texas Space Commission approved $9.3 million for UT Austin to establish a Space Domain Awareness Tools, Applications and Processing Lab supporting U.S. Space Force work.
    • UT Austin and the Space Force describe the effort as part of an accelerator framework designed to move new space domain awareness software and analytics toward operational use.
    • UT Austin said the lab is designed to run multiple cohort cycles that bring in private-sector teams for structured development aligned with Space Force priorities.
    Insider
    March 05, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • CapMetro buses in Austin, Texas, at night with their lights on.
    News
    CapMetro Greenlights $4.5M in Tech Contracts
    What to Know:
    • CapMetro’s board approved $4.5 million in tech-related contracts at its Feb. 23 meeting.
    • The meeting's consent agenda covered about $3.8 million in tech purchases.
    • A separate action item approved a five-year renewal of the Cisco Security Enterprise Agreement for about $720,000.
    Insider
    March 03, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • HR officer working with labor unions on employment agreements
    News
    DIR Board Approves STS Awards, Reports on Cooperative Sales
    What to Know:
    • DIR reported $882 million in cooperative contract purchases in Q1 FY 2026, down 11 percent year-over-year.
    • DIR approved three new Enterprise Technology Solution Services awards, expanding beyond Deloitte as the prior sole provider.
    • DIR extended Symbio Ecosystems sourcing and transition support until 2027.
    Insider
    March 03, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • A robotic hand pointing to the words "AI ethics" in white font surrounded by various white circles and symbols. Dark blue and black background.
    News
    DIR Board Adopts AI, Data and Accessibility Rules
    What to Know:
    • The department's Governing Board established an AI code of ethics with expectations for documentation, staff training, transparency when people interact with AI and processes for redress tied to AI-influenced decisions.
    • Another change focused on how the data governance assessment is treated and reported by agencies and higher education institutions.
    • A third action sought to align the state with the U.S. Department of Justice's digital accessibility standards.
    Insider
    February 27, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Closeup of the ends of a bundle of fiber-optic cables and an Ethernet plug.
    News
    Laredo College Lands $2.2M+ Broadband Workforce Grant
    What to Know:
    • Laredo College received more than $2.2 million to launch a fiber-optic technician training program starting this fall.
    • The program plans to train 150 students, with tuition and training equipment covered by the funding.
    • The award is part of Texas’ $24.6 million Building the Texas Broadband Workforce Grant Program backed by the Broadband Infrastructure Fund.
    Insider
    February 27, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Keshnel Penny, CIO of Grand Prairie, against a dark blue background, next to text that reads: "We are prioritizing investments that reduce risk, improve service reliability, and modernize core platforms. We are also investing in governance and portfolio discipline so that every dollar is tied to outcomes and measurable benefits."
    News
    Grand Prairie CIO Talks Cybersecurity and Building a Cloud-First City
    Keshnel Penny, who has led Grand Prairie's IT since 2016, discusses cybersecurity, cloud-first modernization and how governance and measurable outcomes shape technology investments.
    Insider
    February 26, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Gartner_logo - updated.jpg
    News
    Former Texas OAG Data Officer Roesler Joins Gartner
    What to Know:
    • Former Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Chief Data Officer Antonia Roesler has joined Gartner as a senior director analyst for data, analytics and AI.
    • She served as OAG chief data officer from February 2021 to February 2026, leading enterprise data strategy, governance and responsible AI adoption.
    • Roesler was named one of Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers in 2025 for her leadership in modernizing data and AI operations at the OAG.
    Insider
    February 26, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • A police officer in full gear with their back to the camera. The back of their vest reads "Houston Police."
    News
    Houston Extends HPD Records Software Contract
    What to Know:
    • Houston approved a stopgap extension for the Houston Police Department’s current records management system contract, keeping the existing platform in place with two three-month options.
    • City records show the replacement system’s go-live targets moved, with a city schedule showing an original target in 2024 and a revised target in 2025.
    • The replacement system was approved in 2023 under a city agreement with Versaterm Public Safety.
    Insider
    February 24, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • A San Antonio VIA system bus is red and shown near a street curb.
    News
    San Antonio Transit Agency to Overhaul Mobile App, Update Tech
    What to Know:
    • VIA told the San Antonio City Council it is working to integrate its multiple rider apps into a single experience.
    • VIA also said it is shifting back-end technology for VIAtrans to RideCo, aiming to better use VIA Link zone capacity to help manage VIAtrans demand and improve service quality.
    • VIA’s FY 2026 budget materials lay out a broader tech plan beyond the app work, including customer relationship management, data and reporting, and a third-party cybersecurity assessment.
    Insider
    February 24, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
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