New Haven appoints Michael Simeone as its first Chief Technology Officer: Expert in cybersecurity to lead tech operations and drive growth plans

Michael Simeone has been appointed as the first Chief Technology Officer of New Haven, Connecticut. In his new role, he will oversee all technology and technological resources for the city, play a crucial role in decision-making processes and develop strategies and growth plans for both the city and the Board of Education.

Simeone expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating that he is honored to serve as the city’s new CTO and work alongside Mayor Elicker, Dr. Negrón, other members of the Board of Education, and the city’s dedicated information technology employees. He looks forward to bringing his expertise in information technology and cyber security to manage the city’s day-to-day technology operations and support its efficiency goals while prioritizing the needs of New Haven residents.

One of Simeone’s key responsibilities will be to collaborate with the mayor, superintendent, and their representatives to oversee IT staff members, manage IT budgets, supervise system quality assurance processes, and align technology goals across the city and Board of Education.

With over 25 years of executive IT management experience in finance, legal services, and state government, Simeone is well-equipped for this role. Recently, he served as Chief Information Officer for Bendett & McHugh PC., one of Connecticut’s largest law firms where he led a team of 24 IT professionals supporting major financial institutions nationwide.

The appointment comes at a crucial time for New Haven as it aims to enhance technology management and security to prevent incidents such as fraud from happening again. In 2019, $6 million was stolen from a compromised email account at the New Haven Board of Education but since then $3.6 million has been recovered.