West Seattleite Bill Schrier to retire as city Chief Tech Officer

Much of what we report on WSB includes, or originates from, information made available online by the city – the 911 log, the police-report map, DPD permit status/filings to list a few – and the city has put it all out there for the public under the leadership of its Chief Technology Officer, West Seattleite Bill Schrier. Now, the city sends word he’s leaving that job (one year after the City Council reconfirmed his appointment):

Mayor Mike McGinn today announced that Bill Schrier is retiring from City service as the city of Seattle’s chief technology officer after 30 years.

“Bill Schrier has been an effective and innovative leader in helping Seattle use technology to support our residents, our businesses, and an open government,” said Mayor McGinn. “Under his leadership Seattle has begun to connect more of our neighborhoods to high-speed fiber broadband, set national standards for accessing information online, and helped create and improve other innovative and effective ways to get the people of Seattle better engaged with their government.”

During Schrier’s tenure as chief technology officer and head of the Department of Information Technology (DoIT), the city of Seattle was named as the best large city government website in the nation by “Best of the Web” in 2001, 2006 and 2011. Schrier led the development of data.seattle.gov, an award-winning website that increases access to datasets generated by various departments of Seattle city government. DoIT also oversees the city’s television station, the Seattle Channel, which was named best municipal TV station for large cities in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010.

Schrier’s retirement from City service will be effective on May 2. Erin Devoto, deputy director of DoIT, will serve as acting chief technology officer until a permanent director is chosen.

According to his Twitter feed, Schrier is at a conference in Minnesota – but we’ll be asking for comment. Via Twitter, of course. (Where he just promised “more in a while.”)

ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: Retirement in this case does not mean actual “no more paid career” retirement; here’s where his new job is revealed – deputy director of the Center for Digital Government.

10 Replies to "West Seattleite Bill Schrier to retire as city Chief Tech Officer"

  • Jason April 17, 2012 (10:40 am)

    Gotta wonder if the City paid for his attendance at the conference he’s at, two weeks before he retires. There’s good spending if they did, they’ll certainly see the return on that “investment”…

  • westSeattleJimE April 17, 2012 (11:52 am)

    Fiber in the neighborhood? Must be talking about the fiber sold at grocery stores. Wonder if he’s gonna start working at Comcast.

  • jc April 17, 2012 (12:18 pm)

    Thanks for this interesting post, WSB! Not that others aren’t, but it was one of those, “whaddya know, but of course the city has a CTO, it’s just that I never would’ve thought about it otherwise” posts. :D

  • Tim Nuse April 17, 2012 (1:38 pm)

    Bill Schrier is one of the hardest working and classiest guys you will ever come across. Not only has he offered phenomenal leadership and vision for the city, but he is also a huge asset to our community. Congrats Bill! This is so well deserved.

  • Duh April 17, 2012 (9:24 pm)

    Jason, keynote speakers to conferences typically have their way paid there. None of your precious tax dollars were wasted. but maybe you should move to Alabama, just to be on the safe side.

  • Bill Schrier April 17, 2012 (11:35 pm)

    Thanks for the kind comments and the concern about Seattle taxpayer dollars.
    All costs associated with my speaking engagement at the Minnesota Interoperability Forum (you have the link right, WSB) were covered by the State of Minnesota. I had agreed to speak there 9 months ago and always try to keep such commitments.
    I am extraordinarily proud of West Seattle, the City of Seattle and the West Seattle Blog, and glad I will continue to live here after retirement.

  • Ann April 18, 2012 (7:04 am)

    Congratulations, Bill! I want to second Tim’s comments and add that you will continue to be a valuable resource to our community even as you choose to be more focused on your family and, I hope, yourself. I’ve found retirement to be a wealth of opportunities. I predict your skills and knowledge will add to the public domain for years to come. Thank you for your long service!

  • Marlenea April 18, 2012 (7:45 am)

    Congrats on your newest endeavor. You have given so much to Seattle. I’m certain your family will appreciate seeing more of you. :) And well said Tim, I’m sure many people agree with you. I know I wholeheartedly do.

  • Sydney April 18, 2012 (8:45 am)

    Congrats to Mr Schrier on moving forward and on 30 years of service to the city. Hope you enjoy your new job and find more time for family / friends / relaxing.

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