Gagnon recently referred to himself as a “Panhandle kid.” An Amarillo native with a long career in private-sector IT, he returned home in 2016 as the city’s tech leader.
“Doing something in my own community … that’s a different reward,” he said.
One of his passion projects has been to connect the city and region to broadband, educational opportunities and workforce training. Gagnon said that to innovate and problem solve, leaders must bring multiple partners to the table; partnerships for Panhandle Connected include Education Service Center Region 16, the area’s library consortium and Amarillo College.
Serving the business needs of city departments is a priority. IT “serves the community by serving departments, and that’s how we make an impact,” Gagnon said.
Industry Insider — Texas: As CIO of your organization, how do you describe your role? How have the role and responsibilities of the CIO changed in recent years?
Gagnon: My role is to work with each line of business in the city to build transformative business models while adding value and minimizing risk. The role has been through significant shifts in the last several years. CIOs must have a deep understanding of the business and the impact of transformative change in the technology, workforce and cybersecurity landscapes to co-create new business models almost continuously. Our ability to affect change in the business has increased greatly over the last couple of decades as have the expectations.
Industry Insider — Texas: In your tenure in this position, which project or achievement are you most proud of?
Gagnon: My greatest achievements are all in the teams I have played a part in building, the leaders I have been able to mentor and the culture of innovation they bring to the city.
Industry Insider — Texas: How do you define “digital transformation?” How far along is your organization in that process, and how will you know when it's finished?
Gagnon: Digital transformation is the use of technology to build transformative business models. Technology is evolving and so is digital transformation. It is never finished.
Industry Insider — Texas: How often do you update your organization’s enterprise catalog?
Gagnon: At our current rate of change, the catalog is updated quarterly.
Industry Insider — Texas: 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?
Gagnon: City resources are fully tasked with existing projects for the next 12 months. In addition to ERP upgrades, broadband, a next-generation city hall and a full suite of digital transformation projects, we are engaged in several innovation efforts such as broadband, digital literacy and workforce development, regional crime center and policing, solid waste efficiency, Ecolution Power, and community engagement.
Industry Insider — Texas: What is your estimated IT budget, and how many employees do you have? What is the overall budget?
Gagnon: There are 38 IT employees, IT budget [is] $9 million ... and a total city budget of $490 million.
Industry Insider — Texas: If you could change one thing about IT procurement, what would it be?
Gagnon: Addition of a purchasing vehicle at the state level to simplify the use of emerging technologies.
Industry Insider — Texas: What do you read to stay abreast of developments in the SLED sector?
Gagnon: Government Technology*, CIO, Harvard Business Review, The Economist
Industry Insider — Texas: What are your hobbies, and what do you enjoy reading?
Gagnon: Woodworking, gardening, travel, hiking. I read constantly. Everything from management theory and technology to science fiction and fantasy.
*Industry Insider — Texas and Government Technology are both a part of parent company e.Republic.
