POY Leaning into Seattle's Future

10/24/24 • 15 min

At a time when cities are grappling with multifaceted challenges, Rob Lloyd has taken on the complex challenges of transforming Seattle’s tech landscape. Recently appointed to the pivotal role of chief technology officer, Lloyd brings a holistic approach to public service, blending insights from his tenure in San Jose with innovative strategies for tackling pressing urban issues like homelessness and public safety. As he takes the reins in a city known for its technological prowess, Lloyd brings a commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and data-driven decision-making.

Lloyd is one of Governing’s* 2024 Public Officials of the Year, a special recognition of people who make government work. Government Technology* Senior Staff Writer Thad Rueter joins the podcast to discuss his profile of Seattle’s CTO.

Show Notes:

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

Holistic Approach to Public Issues: Lloyd emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy in addressing urban challenges. His experience in San Jose shaped his view that collaboration across various sectors — public health, law enforcement and public works — is essential for effective problem-solving, especially in complex issues like homelessness.
Leadership and Humility: Lloyd works across conventional boundaries and disciplines without asserting himself as the sole authority. This balance fosters an environment where others feel valued and encouraged to contribute their insights and expertise.
Mentoring and Talent Retention: Lloyd’s approach to leadership focuses on understanding and nurturing talent within the public sector. He recognizes that younger employees are motivated by more than just financial incentives; they seek meaningful work and opportunities for growth, which he aims to provide.
Navigating Post-Pandemic Challenges: Lloyd’s views on the role of technology in a post-pandemic world reflect his belief in data-driven decision-making. He sees technology as a crucial tool for managing various urban challenges and plans to leverage it to improve city operations and services.
Future Challenges and Opportunities: As Seattle faces multiple issues such as cybersecurity, climate change and disaster preparedness, Lloyd is taking a proactive role in addressing these concerns. His past experiences in San Jose are anticipated to inform his strategies as he leads Seattle into a new phase of urban governance, aiming to attract innovative talent and ideas.

Related Links to stories referenced in the episode:

Public Officials of the Year: Overview
A National Leader in Public-Sector Tech Moves to a New City (Lloyd POY profile)

Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.

*Government Technology is a sister publication to Governing. Both are divisions of e.Republic.

Show Notes:

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

Holistic Approach to Public Issues: Lloyd emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy in addressing urban challenges. His experience in San Jose shaped his view that collaboration across various sectors — public health, law enforcement and public works — is essential for effective problem-solving, especially in complex issues like homelessness.
Leadership and Humility: Lloyd works across conventional boundaries and disciplines without asserting himself as the sole authority. This balance fosters an environment where others feel valued and encouraged to contribute their insights and expertise.
Mentoring and Talent Retention: Lloyd’s approach to leadership focuses on understanding and nurturing talent within the public sector. He recognizes that younger employees are motivated by more than just financial incentives; they seek meaningful work and opportunities for growth, which he aims to provide.
Navigating Post-Pandemic Challenges: Lloyd’s views on the role of technology in a post-pandemic world reflect his belief in data-driven decision-making. He sees technology as a crucial tool for managing various urban challenges and plans to leverage it to improve city operations and services.
Future Challenges and Opportunities: As Seattle faces multiple issues such as cybersecurity, climate change and disaster preparedness, Lloyd is taking a proactive role in addressing these concerns. His past experiences in San Jose are anticipated to inform his strategies as he leads Seattle into a new phase of urban governance, aiming to attract innovative talent and ideas.

Related Links to stories referenced in the episode:

Public Officials of the Year: Overview
A National Leader in Public-Sector Tech Moves to a New City (Lloyd POY profile)

Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.

*Government Technology is a sister publication to Governing. Both are divisions of e.Republic.

Previous Episode

POY: Centering Public Health

After guiding the Texas county through the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Philip Huang, its health director, pushed for collaboration and long-term strategies to prepare for future crises. Data modernization proved to be crucial.

Huang has spent his career navigating the complexities of public health with a mission to impact as many families as possible. From his early experiences in Nepal that shifted his focus from family medicine to public health, to leading Dallas County through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county health director has championed data modernization and transparency as key tools in building public trust. His unique perspective, shaped by work at local, state and federal levels, drives his vision for a more resilient, collaborative and depoliticized approach to public health in the future.

Huang is one of Governing’s* 2024 Public Officials of the Year, a special recognition of people who make government work. Governing Senior Staff Writer Carl Smith joins the podcast to discuss Huang’s work and review the key takeaways from his interview with Huang.

SHOW NOTES:

Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:

Motivation for Pursuing Public Health: Huang, Dallas County's health director, shifted from family medicine to public health after a formative experience in Nepal. He realized he could impact more families by addressing broader public health issues rather than individual patient care.
Public Health Challenges During COVID-19: Huang was frustrated with political polarization surrounding public health during COVID-19. He stresses the need for long-term strategies and infrastructure to better prepare for future pandemics, highlighting the importance of depoliticizing health recommendations.
Data Modernization for Effective Public Health: There is a life-or-death need for robust data systems in public health. Early in the pandemic, Dallas County relied on outdated methods like fax and paper. The modernization of data infrastructure allowed for better decision-making and community trust during the pandemic.
Building and Sustaining Public Trust: Transparency and communication with the public played a key role in building trust. Huang’s efforts included establishing a public health portal and regularly sharing data and updates to keep the community informed.
Collaboration Across Public Health Levels: Huang’s experience working at local, state and federal levels gives him a unique perspective on how different agencies view public health. He uses this understanding to facilitate communication and cooperation across these sectors, ensuring a more cohesive approach to health challenges.

Related Links to stories referenced in the episode:

Public Officials of the Year: Overview
Bringing Data to Bear on Public Health Outcomes (Huang POY profile)

Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.

Next Episode

Delivering School Choice

West Virginia state Sen. Patricia Rucker, a strong advocate for universal school choice, is transforming the state’s education system with a vision shaped by her experiences as an immigrant and former teacher. Known for championing vulnerable communities, Rucker has faced opposition from both parties and unions in her determined push for expanded educational options. Her efforts reflect her optimism for West Virginia’s potential as a center for opportunity and growth.

Rucker, part of the 2024 class of Public Officials of the Year — a special recognition by Governing magazine, the sister publication of Government Technology* — has been a driving force in making school vouchers universally accessible in her state. Former Governing staff writer Zina Hutton joins the podcast to discuss Rucker’s work in education reform.

SHOW NOTES:

Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:

Commitment to Universal School Choice: Sen. Patricia Rucker is a leading advocate for comprehensive school choice legislation in West Virginia, aiming to serve students regardless of income or district. Her vision extends beyond limited voucher programs, supporting a range of options, including microschools, to meet diverse educational needs.
Influence of Personal Immigrant Experience: Rucker’s background as a Venezuelan immigrant who navigated language and cultural barriers fuels her passion for education. Her experiences as a student, teacher and homeschooling parent shape her approach to policy, fostering empathy for families with unique educational challenges.
Dedication to Vulnerable Populations: Rucker prioritizes underserved communities, focusing on those often overlooked by traditional legislation, such as rural families and vulnerable groups in need of more educational options. Her efforts seek to ensure equal opportunities for these populations.
Resilience Amid Pushback: Despite opposition from within her party and from unions, Rucker held firm on her stance for school reform. She engaged with dissenting lawmakers and remained resolute in the face of criticism, ultimately achieving significant legislative success.
Optimism for West Virginia’s Growth: Rucker believes educational reform can drive economic and social progress in West Virginia, attracting educators, entrepreneurs and families who see the state as a rising hub of opportunity and growth.

Related Links to stories referenced in the episode:

· Public Officials of the Year: Overview
· The Woman Who Helped Kick Off a School Choice Revolution (Rucker POY profile)

Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.