After Tech Leader’s Exit, Las Vegas Elevates from Within

The city of Las Vegas is navigating a leadership transition in its information technology department following the departure of its longtime tech leader.

Michael Sherwood, its chief innovation and technology officer since 2020, left the position in December according to LinkedIn and Chris Craig, the deputy information technology director, has stepped in to lead the department.

“Chris Craig is the acting IT director and there is not a timeline to fill the position permanently,” Jace Radke, a city spokesperson, said via email.

Sherwood, whose LinkedIn profile calls him a “curator of disruptive innovation,” joined the city in February 2016 as its director of information technology and was named chief innovation and technology officer in January 2020. During his tenure, Las Vegas joined the conversation on smarter traffic and curb management technology. It deployed a platform to let businesses and developers file building plans online and facilitate remote inspections. It used lidar to help drivers negotiate traffic challenges near City Hall. And, as Sherwood discussed in 2019 at the massive, yearly Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the city partnered on smart lighting in the downtown Innovation District.

Sherwood was responsible for overseeing technology systems, managing cybersecurity initiatives and ensuring the efficient delivery of digital services to the public. Craig, who has stepped in to these responsibilities, has been with the city more than 11 years according to LinkedIn, the last five as deputy information technology director. His previous roles included serving as IT business relationship manager.