Cevetello, who will begin in early October, comes to the city with more than 20 years of experience in research, and creation and implementation of technology, outreach and learning. He was selected from a pool of more than 260 applicants in a nationwide search.
“We were seeking an effective leader to lead the digital transformation of Santa Monica government to better serve our residents,” Cole said in a press release. “Joseph Cevetello has the skills, character and passion to ensure we set the pace here at the epicenter of Silicon Beach.”
Cevetello replaces Jory Wolf, who served as CIO for 22 years and departed July 5 for a position as vice president of Digital Innovation for Magellan Advisors, a consulting firm based in Denver.
As Santa Monica's new CIO, Cevetello will lead the city’s Information Systems Department, which handles internal technology, websites and digital strategy, and the city's broadband network, City Net.
Cevetello comes to Santa Monica with experience in IT and higher education, most recently serving as the University of Southern California's director of Information Services and assistant CIO. Prior to this, he spearheaded the strategy and design of IT for Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. He also served as deputy CIO at Loyola Marymount University, according to the press release, and worked and taught at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
"I am a collaborative bridge-builder who seeks to leverage technology as a strategic asset, and an enabler of transformation and innovation,” Cevetello said in the release. “I am looking forward to establishing strong, supportive relationships with city staff, and to the privilege of serving Santa Monica’s citizens, businesses and visitors.”
