Miami CIO Mike Sarasti Announces Forthcoming Departure

Mike Sarasti, the city of Miami’s chief information officer and director of innovation and technology, announced in a tweet this week that he will be transitioning away from the role in the coming weeks.

Hi, Twitterverse! I'll share more soon, but I'll be transitioning out of CIO role over next few weeks. Been best ride of my career. I'll still be around supporting @FrancisSuarez #MiamiTech vision. For now, helping get word out! Next Gen CIO Apply👇🚀🤘
https://t.co/lwNRo3wDQu

— Mike Sarasti (@Sarasti) February 2, 2022

Sarasti started working for the city in May 2016 as chief innovation officer, a newly created position at the time. In May 2018, he was named director of the city's Department of Innovation and Technology. He told Government Technology at the time that the title change indicated that he would also lead information technology moving forward.

Prior to his work with the city, Sarasti was a program manager with Miami-Dade County for nearly 10 years.

During Sarasti’s time with the city, he helped drive technological advances through a website redesign that he said makes local government more accessible and efficient for residents; an Innovation Academy to improve problem-solving among city employees; and by promoting the benefits of remote public meetings to enhance transparency and participation.

According to his Feb. 1 tweet, Sarasti will “still be around” to support Mayor Francis Suarez’s vision for technology in Miami. He also encouraged others to apply for the role, linking the job listing from the city.

Suarez himself has taken significant strides to advance Miami’s position in the tech industry, from advocating for payment in cryptocurrency to inviting private tech entrepreneurs into the conversation.