Fueling Economic Growth and Sustainability in San Bernardino

Rolland Kornblau, the Director of Information Technology for the City of San Bernardino, brings 23 years of experience in Educational Technology Management and two years in Municipal leadership. Armed with a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, he ascended from a computer technician to Director and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In 2008, Rolland earned a Chief Technology Officer Certification from the California IT in Education (CITE) and served on the CITE Board. A recipient of a 2023 MISAC scholarship to the West Coast cohort of the Rutgers University Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) program, he strives to make an impact by addressing some of the most critical issues facing IT and IT leadership in the municipal government space.

What are your current roles and responsibilities as the Director of Information technology at the City of San Bernardino?

I commenced my career in educational technology as a computer technician for Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, eventually advancing to the position of Supervisor of Network Services for Whittier City School District. After 16 years, I departed as the Director of Technology for the elementary school district. Transitioning to municipal government, I assumed the role of Director of Technology for El Rancho Unified School District for five years before joining the City of San Bernardino as the Director of Technology in 2021. In the past two years, my responsibilities have encompassed overseeing technology for City Hall, police departments, animal services facilities, and various buildings. Leading a team of 15, we manage software, hardware, servers, and cybersecurity and are expanding into video monitoring and access control.

Upon arrival, I addressed challenges stemming from the city’s financial issues and spearheaded an ERP project for comprehensive resource planning. This project covers human resources, payroll, finance, permitting, land management, and inventory. Midway through the ERP project, we are evaluating proposals to enhance city operations. Additionally, we are exploring fibre connectivity options to upgrade from copper and modernize our hardware. We aim to achieve ten gig internal and internet speeds to enhance efficiency and accommodate cloud-hosted applications.

What key challenges and trends influence the development of San Bernardino’s smart city initiatives?

Apart from critical budgetary considerations, we currently face two primary challenges: navigating the integration of AI within our operations to ensure it enhances efficiency without displacing personnel and staying ahead of emerging cybersecurity threats. As the private sector embraces AI, it becomes pivotal in the public sector, necessitating strategic implementation. Simultaneously, fortifying our defenses against cyber security threats, particularly ransomware, is imperative to safeguard our network and constituents from potential breaches. Our focus is on deploying tools that proactively protect against these evolving challenges.

How do you foresee the future of AI, cyber security, and smart city initiatives evolving?

I envision a digital future wherein everything operates in the cloud, offering 24/7 access for consumers and the city. The challenge lies in maintaining personnel capable of implementing and supporting such connectivity. As transactions, communications, and services transition online, ensuring seamless connectivity becomes crucial. Balancing the need for cutting-edge technology with budget constraints is essential to align the city’s infrastructure with the evolving technological landscape. The goal is to keep pace with the latest advancements, ensuring that the city’s networks and technology can effectively meet the needs of its residents.

What would be your piece of advice for your peers and aspiring professionals in your field?

The key advice I would offer is to be a proactive advocate for technology. This involves continuously learning to stay abreast of rapid advancements as technology evolves every six months. Additionally, managing budgets effectively and prioritizing change management are crucial aspects. Ensuring smooth technology transitions requires implementing the latest solutions and navigating changes in a way that is well-received by constituents and employees. Balancing advocacy, ongoing learning, budgeting, and change management lays the foundation for successful technology integration in any organization.