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Hosted by Alan Shark

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Tune in to Dr. Alan Shark’s interviews with technology leaders from cities and counties across the nation. This series focuses on various aspects of technology leadership, including emergency response, the evolving role of AI, digital service delivery, citizen communication, emerging technologies, and future requirements for professional development.

Listen to episodes

52 recent

August 3, 202621 min

Season 6: Episode 9: The New Reality: When Technology Leadership Becomes Change Management

Season 6: Episode 9: The New Reality: When Technology Leadership Becomes Change Management A conversation with Rolland Kornblau, Director of Technology, City of San Bernardino With over 27 years of experience in education and local government, Rolland Kornblau shares his motivation for contributing a chapter in PTI’s new book, CIO Leadership for Cities and Counties – Emerging Trends and Practices, Revised Third Edition. You will learn what led to change management becoming one of the key areas of leadership for the modern CIO.

July 9, 202632 min

Season 6: Episode 8: Accessibility in the Digital and AI Age

Season 6: Episode 8: Accessibility in the Digital and AI Age A conversation with Don Torrez, principal of Torrez Solutions, and Co-host Mary Frances Coryell, Chief Revenue Officer at CITIBOT. Don has dedicated his expertise to helping organizations build inclusive digital experiences that are accessible to all. ADA compliance is more than a regulation – millions of people depend on it. He has spent the last two decades building meaningful partnerships that move the needle—from expanding multimillion-dollar revenue programs to launching AI-powered tools that support thousands of local governments. Learn how Don arrived at where he is today, and look back at what got him there. Don is the founder of Torrez Solutions and previously served as a senior staff member at CivicPlus for over eight years.

June 18, 202637 min

Season 6: Episode 7: Inside “CIO Leadership for Cities and Counties” New Book!

Season 6: Episode 7: Inside “CIO Leadership for Cities and Counties” new book! A conversation with Darryl Polk, Director of Education, Public Technology Institute (PTI), with Alan Shark. Originally recorded in May 2026 as part of PTI’s Professional Development Series, which can be found on PTI’s YouTube Channel, Darryl and Alan discuss the background of how this book came to be, including the launch of the first edition, which PTI published in 2009. Today, 17 years later, the Third Edition is here. You will learn, this is more between the covers and the impact it has had on the profession.

May 11, 202637 min

Season 6, Episode 6: Tech Leadership – Balancing People and Technology

Season 6, Episode 6: Tech Leadership – Balancing People and Technology A conversation with Angie Wright, CGCIO, Chief Technology Officer at City of Beaumont, Texas, with Co-host Mary Frances Coryell, Chief Revenue Officer, CITIBOT. Angie Wright has been with the City of Beaumont, Texas, for nearly 15 years, with the last 3.5 years serving as Chief Technology Officer. From a sales associate role at RadioShack, she moved up the network admin chain, then toward tech leadership positions of increasing responsibility. Angie is a nationally recognized tech leader known for her practical approach to technology, commitment to staff development, and appreciation for the human touch.

April 18, 202625 min

Season 6: Episode 5: AI, Organizational Leadership, and the Water Sector: The Power, Peril, and Potential of AI for Emerging Leaders

Season 6: Episode 5: AI, Organizational Leadership, and the Water Sector: The Power, Peril, and Potential of AI for Emerging Leaders A conversation with Alan Shark and Google’s NotebookLM. Why AI matters now in the water sector. In an Emerging Leaders Workshop held a few days ago in Washington, DC, sponsored by the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA), Dr. Alan R. Shark led a session, “AI, Organizational Leadership, and the Water Sector: The Power, Peril, and Potential of AI for Emerging Leaders. He spoke about why AI matters now in the water sector and the implications for many other sectors as well.

March 26, 202625 min

Season 6: Episode 4: Overcoming AI Paralysis and the Dangers of Shadow AI

Season 6: Episode 4: Overcoming AI Paralysis and the Dangers of Shadow AI A conversation with Alan Shark and Google’s NotebookLM. In a recent interview with AI Data Press, Dr. Shark discusses the growing tension between institutional caution and the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence. He argues that public sector leaders are suffering from governance paralysis, remaining stagnant while waiting for flawless regulations. This hesitation leads to the rise of "shadow AI," where employees use unapproved tools independently, inadvertently creating security and privacy risks. To combat this, Shark suggests that organizations must prioritize AI literacy and engage in measured experimentation rather than avoid AI altogether. Listening to the virtual “guests” is illuminating.

March 6, 202632 min

Season 6: Episode 3: An Innovator in Practice – from AI Accountability to Improving Citizen Communications

Season 6: Episode 3: An Innovator in Practice – from AI accountability to improving citizen communications. A conversation with Mike Dawisha, CIO of Genesee County (MI), with Co-host Mary Frances Coryell, Chief Revenue Officer, CITIBOT. Mike Dawisha is a seasoned IT professional leader who is action-oriented and an innovator in practice. He inspires his staff to be innovators themselves and is someone with a shared vision that is what is most needed now in Genesee County. In this episode, we explore many of the issues he faces and his biggest concern about AI and accountability.

February 12, 202629 min

Season 6: Episode 2: : Leading Change: How Chief Digital & Innovation Officers Are Reshaping Public Service

Season 6: Episode 2: : Leading Change: How Chief Digital & Innovation Officers Are Reshaping Public Service A conversation with Crosby Burns, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, County of Marin (CA), with Co-host Mary Frances Coryell, Chief Revenue Officer, CITIBOT. A relatively new position, Crosby shares how he is navigating the path forward, making Marin County a model of excellence through it digital services. For over a decade, before coming to Marin County, Crosby has straddled both the public and private sectors, building on his impressive experience viewing the world through the lens of customer experience. You will find Crosby both inspiring and visionary.

January 27, 202618 min

Season 6: Episode 1: AI and the Student Paradox, AI Agent NotebookLM Explains!

Season 6: Episode 1: AI and the Student Paradox, AI Agent, NotebookLM Explains A conversation with Alan Shark and Google’s NotebookLM We begin Season Six with a demonstration of the powerful and inventive AI Agent, NotebookLM. The “student paradox” can be explained as follows: While private and public employers increasingly demand candidates with strong proficiency in AI, higher education institutions often view these same skills as academic dishonesty. NotebookLM was designed as an experimental AI-powered research and note-taking too. Listen, as you will be simply amazed by what it can do! It is a podcast within a podcast.

December 21, 202531 min

Season 5: Episode 17: Predictions for 2026 and AI

Season 5: Episode 17: Predictions for 2026 and AI A conversation with Alan Shark and cohost Mary Frances Coryell, Chief Revenue Officer at CITIBOT In this concluding episode of Season 5, Alan shares his predictions for 2026, primarily about AI, and Mary Frances discusses changes she has witnessed firsthand in the adoption of AI in state and local government. Together, they discuss what we might expect in 2026.