Rethink ITState and local governments provide vital services to their citizens, and keep them safe. They are also one of the largest employers in the country. Without counting public schools and hospitals, they employ about 14 million people in the US. However, they’re also wrought with antiquated systems, broken processes, paperwork overwhelm, lack of transparency, and underutilization of smart technologies. If you are a municipal leader, everyday citizen of one of those working for a state or local government across the US, you’ve come to the right place! Welcome to RethinkIT, a podcast for municipal leaders, IT managers, CIOs, city or county council members, and the like that focuses on trends in government IT, as well as its current best practices and challenges. Hosted by Abhijit Verekar, the show features special guests every week from various municipal agencies across the US to share their insights on how to rethink IT and make the Government smarter and more efficient. As President and CEO of Avèro Advisors – an “end-to-end” information technology advisory firm that positions clients for success through the effective application of tailor-made technology management strategies – Abhijit Verekar has been helping clients “Rethink IT” and focus on answering the age-old question of “Yes, its new and shiny, but how does it fit into my organization and how does it help further our strategic interests?” With a long list of clientele served, Abhijit has helped local government executives develop and implement 3-5 year IT strategic roadmaps so they can deliver the highest level of services to their communities. He’s delivered value to over 40 cities and counties across the US and guarantees results. He also has extensive experience in IT and organizational modernization initiatives with state and local government agencies across the United States. Over the last 15 years, Abhijit has helped clients achieve significant efficiencies through IT strategic planning, cybersecurity, business process review, redesign, and general advisory and stewardship when dealing with significant organizational and technological changes. Get rid of the inefficiency and take advantage of proven technologies. Keep up with the latest trends and step into innovation. Learn what other people like you are doing and make better technology decisions to make your organization smarter and more efficient in the long term. Discover how you can leverage proven technology to deliver better services to your citizens. RethinkIT! Join Abhijit Verekar and his guests today!

]]>en-usfalseAbhijit Verekarhttps://www.averoadvisors.com/thinktankAbhijit Verekarav@averoadvisors.comepisodicAvero, LLC. 2020-2023 | All Rights Reserved | averoadvisors.comNavigating The Journey To City Management Through Civic Technology And Problem Solving With Noel BernalRYjdQHnlNTue, 31 May 2022 10:00:00 GMT2691https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/navigating-the-journey-to-city-management-through-civic-technology-and-problem-solving-with-noel-bernalfalseIn this episode we will follow the journey of Noel Bernal into becoming the City Manager of Brownsville, Texas. Noel was really working and focusing on helping people to make an impact and serve which is why he decided to become an attorney. As one of the requirements of his political science, he came across public administration. The course really stood out with him so he decided to change to this course and take a master’s degree. Join us as Noel shares how he is handling matters and managing the largest city in the south Texas region!


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]]>34Create Simple Cybersecurity Solutions With Cybersecurity Professional James Lesliew2kaz19ANTue, 01 Mar 2022 11:00:00 GMT1809falseCreating simple cybersecurity solutions is important so people will use them. Abhijit Verekar presents James Leslie, a cybersecurity professional and the Chief Information Officer at Cambridge Housing Authority. What people need right now are solutions, not tools. Because they may have all the tools they need but not know how to use them. That’s why human-focused, in-user training is crucial. Another way to simplify the process is to use password-less authentication. It’s a long-term solution that makes everybody’s life easier. Want to know more about cybersecurity strategies? Join in the conversation. 


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]]>33Transformation Through Technology: Reaching Operational Sufficiency By Leveraging Tech With Ivory Mathews8hsEzf-sLMon, 22 Nov 2021 11:00:00 GMT1657https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/transformation-through-technology-reaching-operational-sufficiency-by-leveraging-tech-with-ivory-mathewsfalseHow do you take a system inundated with outdated technology and bring it back to efficiency? You begin a transformation through technology, that’s how. In this episode, Abhijit Verekar gets into an informative conversation with Ivory Mathews, CEO of Columbia Housing, about transforming an antiquated system into a modern, efficient one. Ivory shares the experiences that led to her coming to work with Columbia Housing and how they are turning an antiquated system into a world-class one using technology. Interested in the transformations that can be done for your organization? Then tune in for more. 


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]]>32Cybersecurity & Enterprise Risk For Executives With Robert KornovichBOpYEmxhbnMon, 04 Oct 2021 10:00:00 GMT2669https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/cybersecurity-enterprise-risk-for-executives-with-robert-kornovichfalseCybersecurity and enterprise risk may sound like business buzzwords, but they are absolutely crucial to the stability of businesses. With the continuing rise of cyberattacks on businesses, not having a cybersecurity plan is setting yourself up for failure. In this episode, Abhijit Verekar discusses these two crucial elements with Avero Advisors’ Senior Manager, Robert Kornovich. With over two decades of experience in IT strategic planning, Robert has a lot of insights to share on cybersecurity, risk mitigation and why education and engagement are critical. Gain more valuable insights and information by tuning in to this episode.


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]]>31Seeing Through The Noise Of Government IT With Joe LaCroixq3yp2ORUfQMon, 10 May 2021 10:00:00 GMT1793 https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/seeing-through-the-noise-of-government-it-with-joe-lacroixfalseInternally, the noise is always going to be there in the Government IT—every department has its say. How do you cut through the noise? Today’s guest is Joe LaCroix, the IT Director in the town of Farragut, Tennessee. Joe discusses with Abhijit Verekar how talking to the executive management about the goals of the entire town is an essential first step. Then you try to put the pieces in place for the individual departments. On top of it all, having a managed service provider model to partner with is a tremendous advantage. Join in the conversation and find out crucial differences between government IT and the private sector. 


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]]>211Capturing Sustainable Growth In The Public Housing Industry With Sean Gilbert70r4nTDtcMon, 19 Apr 2021 10:00:00 GMT1556 https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/capturing-sustainable-growth-in-the-public-housing-industry-with-sean-gilbertfalseAlthough rarely talked about, the public housing industry is more than just brick and mortar. In its more profound sense, it is about community building and connectivity. Joining Abhijit Verekar is the Executive Director at the Morristown Housing Authority in Tennessee, Sean Gilbert. He talks about the process of modernization in housing, especially in this time of the pandemic, how to maximize public transportation, and how to connect residents with job opportunities effectively. Sean also shares his work on the technological side of housing, underlining the importance of embracing digital platforms not only to help in virtual education but making various services more accessible than ever.


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]]>210Innovation through Document ManagementNmxWZCORlMon, 05 Apr 2021 10:00:00 GMT1929https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/innovation-through-document-management/falseMost people tend to become a generalist first before diving into being a specialist. So what does it look like when a specialist becomes a generalist? In this episode, Abhijit Verekar invites someone who is on this path. He talks to Christopher Liersaph from Union County, NC, about how he transitioned from being a document management domain specialist to becoming an IT director-level generalist. Christopher touches on the skills required in this move and what he thinks about innovation and applying that to leadership in technology. He also shares how they are doing during this pandemic, what strategies they are implementing, and what are the key things they are learning from this time to reinvestigate the pillars of their organization and improve them. Follow along to this conversation as Christopher further talks about transferring a business vision to your tech team, envisioning a smart county, utilizing social media for marketing, and more.


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]]>29Building Thriving Communities With Eugene Jones Jr.iUfkrqca2PMon, 22 Mar 2021 10:00:00 GMT1867 https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/building-thriving-communities-with-eugene-jones-jrfalseThe public housing industry must not always be about providing amenities to everyone. Instead, it must also be about building communities where people can connect with one another safely and sound. Joining Abhijit Verekar on how this mission can be integrated into the industry is author and advocate for affordable housing and national housing policy reform, Eugene Jones Jr. Eugene shares how PHAs take advantage of the power of technology to innovate their processes, making public housing even more accessible to the public, especially when providing information to nearby establishments and communities. He also talks about PHA's biggest challenges after being hit by the pandemic and how everyone can bridge the digital divide.


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]]>28Leading Major City Modernization Efforts In The Midst Of A Pandemic With John JuechXhvQPpxQVMon, 08 Mar 2021 11:00:00 GMT1952https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/leading-major-city-modernization-efforts-in-the-midst-of-a-pandemic-with-john-juechfalseEnsuring a major US city’s survival during COVID-19 is challenging enough, let alone leading it towards commendable modernization efforts aimed at making its residents’ lives better. Cincinnati may be in the Rust Belt, but its city management team is far from rusty. Manned by a talented workforce and forceful leadership, the city has managed to perform beautifully in technological solutions, including the massive undertaking of providing Wi-Fi access to identified lower-income neighborhoods. As Assistant City Manager, John Juech gets to see and participate in all these efforts first hand. Listen as he shares how fruitful that experience has been for him as he joins Abhijit Verekar on the show.


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]]>27Design Thinking and Business Process Redesign in Enterprise ITIlBNXKmrKMon, 22 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT2572https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/design-thinking-and-business-process-redesign-in-enterprise-it/falseEverything we do in government is all about achieving quality service delivery. A lot of that can be achieved through process innovation, but it can often be a challenge when you’ve got a team of people who were never empowered to think outside of the transactional box. Mark Wheeler sees this as one of the biggest responsibilities he is called upon to shoulder as Philadelphia’s CIO. Possessing years of GIS-related experience, Mark brings in a proclivity towards innovation, as well as the top-notch leadership, communication and planning skills that all IT leaders need to have. He now joins Abhijit Verekar to share how he and his team are navigating the challenge of finding technological solutions that work to improve service delivery in their massive jurisdiction.


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]]>26How To Become COVID-Resilient Through Shovel-Ready ProjectsTXZ8D3MiZMon, 08 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT2410https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/how-to-become-covid-resilient-through-shovel-ready-projectsfalseDuring the pandemic, necessity has driven a lot of change in many organizations worldwide. Many government organizations were agile enough to gather resources like CARES funding quickly to complete shovel-ready projects. However, others did not take advantage of this funding. During this podcast, Abhijit Verekar and Mike Caffrey discuss the basics of creating a COVID-resilient government organization. As the pandemic continues to take a toll, the CARES funding deadline has been extended. This extension allows more time to find shovel-ready projects, create long-term strategic plans, and execute projects that help your organization achieve desired outcomes for your community.


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]]>25Internet Access & Affordability - Part 2 With Mike Caffreyp6Ma-S7FaFri, 15 Jan 2021 11:00:00 GMT1858https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/internet-access-affordability-part-2-with-mike-caffreyfalseEven as advanced as the world has gotten in terms of technology, many people still do not have access to internet. Sometimes, it is just not available in the area; other times, it is not affordable. In this episode, Abhijit Verekar sits down with Mike Caffrey to continue their conversation around this topic. Mike discusses the results from his CBRS – Proof of Concept, sharing with us its success and the reasons for it. He also talks about who was involved in the project and how the technology is the potential of building a learning environment of the future. Shedding light on the process, he also shares challenges faced along the way, offering insights into what goes into taking on an important project that could help internet accessibility in the Blount County Community.


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]]>24Public Housing Authorities, Systems, And Challenges That Get In The Way Of Efficient Operations With Robert Kornovich xEylbJ3mfMon, 14 Dec 2020 11:00:00 GMT2408https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/public-housing-authorities-systems-and-challenges-that-get-in-the-way-of-efficient-operations-with-robert-kornovichfalseMany housing authorities suffer from the lack of IT support, even the big ones. In this day and age, having the team and systems behind you could take you a long way. Host Abhijit Verekar invited for today’s show the Senior Manager at Avero, Robert Kornovich, who has been very involved in the Public Housing Authority Practice. Here, he talks about the challenges that often get in the way of efficient operations. He discusses how to manage the support process and vendor relationships, and why these are very important. Join Robert in this episode as he breaks down the necessary things housing authorities must keep in mind and more.


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]]>23IT Modernization: Proven Roadmaps And Pitfalls To Avoid With Mike CaffreyIpXBbmp1LMon, 30 Nov 2020 11:00:00 GMT2383https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/it-modernization-proven-roadmaps-and-pitfalls-to-avoid-with-mike-caffreyfalseAm I spending too much? Are we behind the times and too slow? These are often questions that Avero hears from its clients regarding Information Technology within their organizations. Today, IT modernization means so many things to many different people. In this conversation, Mike Caffrey and Abhijit Verekar share their thoughts on proven roadmaps, pitfalls to look for and spend traps to avoid when it comes to IT modernization. It's easy to throw money at IT without seeing anything in return. However, utilizing a consulting partner to assist in revealing or validating your organization's concerns can save you from years of spending and inefficiency.


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]]>22Internet Access And Affordability - Part 1RppKInvacRMon, 16 Nov 2020 11:00:00 GMT2081https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/internet-access-and-affordability-part-1falseAccess to affordable, high speed or ANY Internet is increasingly seen as a utility across the world. Most especially at a time where we’re all forced into our homes, bringing with us our work and even school, having the right internet access is a must. In this episode, Abhijit Verekar explores with Mike Caffrey, the Vice President and Partner at Avero Infrastructure and Avero Advisors, wi-fi zones, 5G, StarLink and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). They break down each of these to help you gain insight into which ones provide the best solution for your needs. Plus, they also talk about the government’s role and how the COVID-19 changed the technological landscape.


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]]>21Harnessing Government Technology To Make a Big Impact With Abhi NemaniXHjcvi2OjMon, 21 Sep 2020 10:00:00 GMT3177https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/harnessing-government-technology-to-make-big-impact-with-abhi-nemanifalseWhat many people don’t realize is that local governments are big enterprises that require good communication and coordination systems to work efficiently. A lot of the problems that cities face right now can be solved with the proper use of government technology and with the help of someone who has both the technical expertise and bureaucratic clout to make things happen.  With his stellar performance as former CDO for the City of Los Angeles and subsequently as interim CIO for Sacramento, Abhi Nemani is an absolute thought leader when it comes to all things GovTech. With his new GovTech consultancy firm, EthosLabs, Abhi continues to accelerate good governance in dozens of cities by helping them harness the power of digital technology. In this conversation with Abhijit Verakar, he shares his insights on the systematic changes that local governments need to do to catch up in digital innovation and transformation.


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]]>19Strategic Innovation In City Management: Pearland TX With Clay PearsonIPH2n6sunTue, 08 Sep 2020 10:00:00 GMT1833https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/strategic-innovation-in-city-management-pearland-tx-with-clay-pearsonfalseThe past two decades have been an era of hyper-growth for the City of Pearland, TX. For city manager, Clay Pearson, it’s just the right environment for his strategic and innovative mind to work. Having held the reins as Chief Executive Officer since 2014, he sees the need for the city government to be strategic and flexible in adopting information technology systems that allow it to keep up with the demands of ensuring quality life for a rapidly growing population. In this conversation with Abhijit Verekar, Clay shares the work they are doing for the city in terms of IT integration, his personal view of innovation, his definition of a smart city, cybersecurity concerns, IT in utilities and many more. Great things are coming for the city of Pearson and Clay is right at the helm of that journey.


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]]>18Digital Innovation For Better Utilities With Gabe Bolasy2sV_CP4YMon, 24 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT1289https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/digital-innovation-for-better-utilities-with-gabe-bolasfalseThough they may not be as quick to pivot as other industries, the utilities are doing their best to keep up with the digital revolution. In the spirit of delivering more efficient, responsive and reliable service, utility boards around the country are adopting digital innovations in their systems and physical technologies. Such is the case of Knoxville Utilities Board, whose President and CEO, Gabe Bolas joins Abhijit Verakar for this interview. There is a reason why we take utilities for granted and why we really should – the utilities are such basic necessities to our modern lifestyle that excellent service means we can go on living without having to think much about them. Gabe intends to keep it that way, and he sees digital innovation as a way to do more of that for far less. In this conversation they touch on topics such as the Automated Metering System, Internet of Things, building a KUB app, the CTO role and the inevitable rise of the internet as the fifth utility.


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]]>17Leveraging Innovative Technologies In The Public Housing Sector With Ben BentleyI8E8IQ90ZMon, 17 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT1217https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/leveraging-innovative-technologies-in-the-public-housing-sector-with-ben-bentleyfalseThe public housing sector is not just about providing livable spaces, but also ensuring a better quality of life for everybody. How are cities responding to this need with the help of information technology? Joining Abhijit Verekar to present the case of Knoxville, Tennessee, is Ben Bentley, the CEO and Executive Director of Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC). Far from just being a helpful tool, Ben considers IT as a utility, something that everyone needs to thrive in this rapidly changing world. Learn how KCDC copes with the demands of their sector while working with limited funding and technological capacity.


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]]>16Creating An Innovative City With The Business Community With Patricia RobledoSEuBwzOGjMon, 10 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT1119https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/creating-an-innovative-city-with-the-business-community-with-patricia-robledofalseBusinesses are partners of governments when it comes to creating an innovative city. Sharing the growth of the entrepreneurial community in their city through technology, Abhijit Verekar sits down with Patricia Robledo, the business liaison for the city of Knoxville, Tennessee. Patricia takes us into how the city has changed operations to become more tech-friendly and how they are working with entrepreneurs with tech-oriented businesses. She then further defines what innovation means for the city and how they help the community through those innovative projects. Listen in on this episode to know how Patricia is working to connect with the city’s business community and more!


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]]>15Making Innovation As The Focal Point In Knoxville, Tennessee With Tom BallardH0LPNWtJ9Mon, 03 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT1506https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/making-innovation-as-the-focal-point-in-knoxville-tennessee-with-tom-ballardfalseIt is in the best interest of the government and innovators to join hands and move together into the future so they can better the lives of people. This episode’s guest, Tom Ballard, the Chief Alliance Officer of PYA, P.C., has successfully done that. He sits down with host, Abhijit Verekar, to take us into how Knoxville, Tennessee, has made innovation its focal point and how he is leading in putting people who are innovating in the region into the limelight. On top of that, he also shares his origin story where he discovered the value of innovation in local government, helping citizens and businesses most especially in this current COVID-19 environment. Join Abhijit and Tom as they further talk about the role of the government when it comes to innovation and helping the public.


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]]>14Keeping Electronic Payments Secure With Jaydeep PalkarHgUO5efgGMon, 27 Jul 2020 10:00:00 GMT2434https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/keeping-electronic-payments-secure-with-jaydeep-palkarfalseOne of the biggest points that organizations should consider is how to give customers the confidence that they can transact with them in whichever way they want without compromising the security of their data or account information. To do that, they need to have the infrastructure or the functionality in their IT environment. Joining Abhijit Verekar and co-host Mike Caffrey on today’s podcast is Jaydeep Palkar, who oversees the PCI Compliance and General Governance for Gap. Jaydeep shares how they’re keeping electronic payments and transactions secure for their clients and vendors. As more and more businesses are transitioning from a paper-based process or cash payments to electronic, this is an episode you wouldn’t want to miss.


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]]>13Intelligent Pavement Management with James Golden, CEO, PMGz3Dvq_kATlMon, 20 Jul 2020 10:00:00 GMT2318https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/upgrading-roadway-management-with-james-goldenfalseWhen we have somewhere we want to go, we often just think about where we are and where we want to go. We often overlook the roads that take us there and the work that is put into roadway management. Joining Abhijit Verekar on today’s podcast is James Golden, the Founder and CEO of Pavement Management Group. James talks about roadway management and how it can be upgraded and improved. His company focuses on the engineering industry, pavement management, and maintenance. Learn more about roadway management in this episode.


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]]>12Leveraging IoT Technologies In The Public Sector With Nicole RaimundocrhdBSR3LMon, 13 Jul 2020 10:00:00 GMT2134https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/leveraging-iot-technologies-in-the-public-sector-with-nicole-raimundofalseInnovation is everywhere. However, it’s a word that’s often used in the wrong connotations. For Nicole Raimundo, the Chief Information Officer at the town of Cary, North Carolina, innovation is all about automating processes and delivering services better. On today’s podcast, Nicole joins Abhijit Verekar to share how she found herself being the CIO of the town of Cary. She also shares how they’re implementing and leveraging IoT technologies in the public sector and keeping the town and their networks secure from anything malicious on the internet.


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]]>11Bringing Innovation To Airports With Trevis Gardner, Vice President Operations and CIO5f-o-DrYT9Mon, 29 Jun 2020 10:00:00 GMT2275https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/bringing-innovation-to-airports-with-trevis-gardnerfalseWhen organizations or cities innovate, more often than not, the reason is to provide a better experience for the people. Taking this to one of the busiest facilities in any parts of the world, Abhijit Verekar talks to Trevis Gardner, the Vice President of Operations for the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority in Knoxville, Tennessee and the CIO for the Airport Authority. Here, Trevis shares with us how he spearheaded airport innovation in his city, giving us a view of their projects, which aim to help end-users, and the tools they use to help their teams navigate. Speaking as a leader pushing for a long term strategy for technology, he then discusses how he finds the balance between risk-taking and risk-averse. Trevis further gives out some words of wisdom for those who want to incorporate technology into their business strategy.


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]]>10From T1 To Fiber Optic: Innovation For The Community With Greg McClainRUDjdl1zL2Mon, 15 Jun 2020 10:00:00 GMT2692https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/from-t1-to-fiber-optic-innovation-for-the-community-with-greg-mcclainfalseA great city manager who pushes its city forward brings innovation at the forefront of what they do. Greg McClain, City Manager for the City of Maryville, Tennessee, is nothing short of being innovative. When he was at the City of Alcoa, he got rid of a T1 line and strung up the first fiber optic cable in the county, keeping it from being left behind. In this episode, he joins Abhijit Verekar to tell us more about what innovation means to a city manager and how it gets translated into the citizens’ daily lives. He takes us back from the beginning of that fiber transformation in Alcoa to looking beyond and translating a bigger vision to the citizens, partners, teams, and more. He also shares how he cuts through the noise of vendors, how he keeps his teams accountable, and what his most impactful project is in terms of technology. Ultimately, innovation is all about doing what is beneficial for the community, and Greg shows us why it should be the driver of any public servant.


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]]>9A Day In The Life Of A City Manager With C. Seth Sumner93OTjlYpl4Thu, 28 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT2426http://podcast.averoadvisors.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-city-manager-with-c-seth-sumnerfalseThe job of a city manager, for the most part, goes unsung when talking about the scene of local government, but their impact is much greater than people tend to give them credit for. Their invisible hand guides steady progress in a city and makes sure that the day-to-day operations of a city go as smoothly as possible. C. Seth Sumner is the City Manager of Athens, TN. He sits down with Abhijit Verekar to talk about the responsibilities of a city manager to the people of their city. Learn more about this important profession that makes sure the government is always doing its best to help the people.


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]]>6Effective Leadership: Being Brilliant At the Basics With Kimberly Bailey8xnX82OWFnThu, 28 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT2306https://podcast.averoadvisors.com/effective-leadership-being-brilliant-at-the-basics-with-kimberly-baileyfalseA lot of times, effective leadership entails stepping out of the limelight and away from all the glamor to be able to focus on building the best foundation for your organization to work efficiently. Kimberly Bailey, the Chief Information Officer for the City of Memphis, TN, is such a great leader. She has been able to lead her team successfully, even in a situation where everybody is forced to make a radical shift in the way they work. Kimberly is a model for the modern CIO – communicative, educative, and customer service oriented. She joins Abhijit Verekar on the show to talk about the modern CIO’s role and what the future has in store for it. For her, it’s not always about the technology; everything goes back to being brilliant at the basics, building a strong foundation, and letting the pooled talents of the team do the rest.


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]]>8Leveraging Technology to Enhance Communities, with Theogene Melancon, City Manager at Dayton, TX6VC0T-BQaThu, 21 May 2020 10:05:00 GMT2006http://podcast.averoadvisors.com/managing-dayton-texas-it-system-with-theogene-melancon-city-manager-city-of-dayton-txfalseInternet and information technology are key factors that cities these days must possess. From various city departments to residential areas, the need for connecting everyone to the web has become a necessity. In this episode, Abhijit Verekar interviews Theogene Melancon, the City Manager of Dayton, Texas. Intending to use tech to make smarter decisions and processes for their city, Theogene talks about how they are taking cybersecurity to the next level, how they are hiring more employees for tech support, and how they are educating all departments about it. Be inspired by how Theogene weaves IT into their city’s growth as he shares their strategy for viable long-term IT.


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]]>5Providing A Higher Level Of Service Through Innovation With Bob Wilson, Assistant City Manager, City of Johnson City, TNLYtfUyIwIThu, 21 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT1260https://www.averoadvisors.com/thinktankfalseMore than helping you become more efficient and get a lot of work done, innovation is all about providing a higher level of service to others. In this episode, host Abhijit Verekar invites Bob Wilson, Assistant City Manager of the City of Johnson City, TN, to discuss how a smart city needs only to do that and not necessarily by having the latest and most advanced technologies. Here, they talk about how Bob is bringing forward innovation to the city, sharing how he deals with vendors when finding the software that fits their needs as well as translating his vision to his team and the citizens. He also talks about the ever-expanding role of IT officers and directors and being able to confront that as we move towards the technological future. Moreover, Bob taps into how he is adapting to the coming of the new generation in the workforce and how he keeps himself motivated after years in public service.


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]]>3Implementing Virtual Court Systems With Tom Hatcher, Circuit Court Clerk For Blount County, TennesseeoKzHGmUr-CThu, 14 May 2020 10:05:00 GMT3344http://podcast.averoadvisors.com/2020/05/implementing-virtual-court-systems-with-tom-hatcher-circuit-court-clerk-for-blount-county-tennesseefalseThe term circuit court is usually applied to trial courts of general jurisdiction. Its core concept requires judges to travel to different locales to ensure wide visibility and understanding of cases in a region. However, with the current lockdown procedure right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, physically meeting in court poses a challenge. Joining Abhijit Verekar and co-host Mike Caffrey on today’s show is Tom Hatcher, a Circuit Court Clerk for Blount County, Tennessee. Tom has been in the judicial system for 26 years. Today, he talks about how Blount County blazed the trail for many other courts in implementing virtual court systems or virtual arraignment systems. He also discusses how other county courts can get creative and partner with computer vendors so they can do what they need to do within their reach.


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]]>2Building A Smart And Innovative City With Brian Platt, City Manager, City Of Jersey City, NJ0AFJXyOs7Thu, 14 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT1751http://podcast.averoadvisors.com/building-a-smart-and-innovative-city-with-brian-platt-city-manager-city-of-jersey-city-njfalseA city that thrives is a city that knows how to innovate. In this episode, Abhijit Verekar talks with Brian Platt about how he is fulfilling his role as the City Manager/Business Administrator and the Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Jersey City, New Jersey. He talks about what innovation means for cities and shares some of the biggest successes in his municipal career. Putting technology at the heart of it, Brian discusses how he stays on top of technology while maintaining a more collaborative approach with the residents and his team. He also gives his definition of a Smart City, along with his take on the fundamentals of long-term IT strategy, cybersecurity, and more.


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]]>2The Smart City: How Technology Can Be Utilized In Public Service With Rick Cole8mQU7SnS9Thu, 14 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT3624http://podcast.averoadvisors.com/the-smart-city-how-technology-can-be-utilized-in-public-service-with-rick-cole/trueIn this technological world, the public sector should find the smartest ways to leverage the latest technology in its efforts to extend quality service to its constituents. What differentiates a smart city from others is not its possession of the most sophisticated technological advancements, but its way of figuring out how to efficiently use what is available to it. In this episode, Abhijit Verekar taps into Rick Cole’s rich experience as a public servant in California for many decades. Rick served as the City Manager for Santa Monica from 2015 to 2020. He has held other public posts, including that of Deputy Mayor for the City of Los Angeles from 2013 to 2015 and Mayor of the City of Pasadena from


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]]>7Enhancing The Level Of Service To Build A Great Community With Eric Stuckey, City Administrator, City of Franklin, TNwBwBGI-Y-4Thu, 07 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT2067http://podcast.averoadvisors.com/enhancing-the-level-of-service-to-build-a-great-community-with-eric-stuckey-city-administrator-city-of-franklin-tn/falseCity managers and administrators are the key people who connect elected leadership and professional staff to serve a community well. That is why taking on this job is no easy feat. Fortunately, with great people on the position, the vision to serve and build a great community is within reach. Eric Stuckey, City Administrator of the City of Franklin, TN, speaks with host, Abhijit Verekar, about the things they have been doing at Franklin. He talks about his thoughts on innovation and keeping up with the newest technology, especially with making services more accessible to the community. On handling his people, Eric shares his leadership style and the way he drives his vision forward and translates it to the language of different teams. He then shares his definition of a smart city, highlighting the use of technology not for technology’s sake but for delivering a higher level of service and building a great community.


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