Philadelphia Civic Tech Director Departs, Lands Gig with OpenGov Foundation

Philadelphia Civic Tech Director Aaron Ogle has left his position with the city for a new opportunity, taking over a role with an organization that holds similar goals.

Ogle has agreed to serve as director of product for the OpenGov Foundation (OGF), a civic tech group working to further transparency in state and local legislatures, and narrow the void between governments and their citizens.

He sent this tweet early Monday morning: 

As a part of former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter’s government technology team, Ogle was in charge of overhauling the city’s website. After Jim Kenney was elected mayor in January of this year, the project was turned over to Kyle Odum, the city’s Web and data delivery manager.

Upon leaving, Ogle expressed skepticism as to whether the city would hire another civic tech officer. 

He now finds himself among company as passionate about civic tech as himself. According to a release from OGF, Ogle will lead, “product efforts [in creating] open, effective and inclusive legislatures we need, with — not for — the real people living and serving and solving real civic problems in real communities across America.”

The same release hinted that his job would be connected to local and state legislatures. Referencing the “eroding trust” between government and citizens, Ogle will design products that open up public operations and hopefully result in the strengthening of the democratic process.