Walter Banks

Chief Information Officer at City of Gainesville & Gainesville Regional Utilities

Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself

I have a BBA from Loyola College, Maryland, and I am a certified CGCIO. Currently, I am the Chief Information Officer for the city of Gainesville, Florida (Home of the University of Florida Gators). I have been in technology leadership for about 24 years. During my career, I have worked in almost every area of technology and built some of the most “high-speed, low drag” IT service providers.

What has your journey to your position been like? What path have you taken?

At the beginning of my career (1998), I self-funded studies in computer networking while working as a career counsellor for the New Jersey Department of Corrections. I then began programming as well as database development. I moved to education in a traditional K-12 environment and excelled the “people” side of technology. I used skills from my military background to organize people to accomplish common goals. I was a C-level technology manager, director and chief technology officer in education for 11 years then moved to government as a chief information officer in 2010.

Has it always been your vision to reach the position you’re at? Was your current role part of your vision to become a tech leader?

Not at first – my vision was to support my family. Then I got bitten by the fascination of where technology could level education access gaps. I was ultimately driven by the urge to make a difference. This inspired my ambitions to learn more and teach others. I found a great fit in the idea of teamwork, technology accessibility and managing those who provide highly-available, fit-for-purpose technology.

Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey?

Multiple people along the way inspired me. From my first mentor, Mr. John Polomano (Superintendent), who taught me how to solve problems and keep a positive attitude. Dr. Thomas “Rudy” Ruth (Superintendent), who showed me not every nail needs to be hammered – slow down, set standards but exercise patience. Ed Bielarski (General Manager) affirmed to me that even in business, “there is no wrong time to do the right thing”. From the private sector a good friend and mentor Mr. Phil Valianti (Business) who taught me how to view the numbers to achieve the outcomes desired – value is everything and worth something. Without embarrassing too many people, I have had many people in my career who helped me continue to learn and grow and pass it forward.

How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?

It is definitely a people business, despite the stereotypes associated with “anti-social IT folks”. One of the first management books I ever read was a book titled “Leading Geeks” by Paul Glen which help me understand that I did not have to be an expert to lead other experts toward common valued outcomes. As expectations continue to move towards a “smaller – faster more connected technology platform ( communication, information gathering/ access) We will need specialize technology people that are problem solvers as well as dreamers to continue moving to “X”. Leaders in the technology field will have to inspire, collaborate, communicate and sets standards which asked “what’s next…and how do we get there?

What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?

Communication, emotional intelligence, compassion, agility open-mindedness and a commitment to lifelong learning. We continue to be on an extremely bright future path in technology. The leaders have got to find ways to ask questions and find solutions.

How do you keep current with new skills, technologies and personal development?

Communicating with colleagues. Reading online, books, magazines… in an all of the above approach to stay on the latest technology trends. This is especially important in areas such as cyber security relating to DR&BC services.

What do you see as the next leap in technology that will impact your business or industry in particular?

I believe we are still in the grip of the data collection and access mode. Whether the focus on IoT or M2M acquiring data and “marrying” based on its relationship to other data to analyzed and automate actions based on trending data. Its the old” IF, THEN ELSE” of the 21st century but from the perspective of being proactive and constant to improve/ maintain/moving forward.

“I would tell them to focus on building relationships.”

If you were mentoring a leader of the future, what advice or guidance would you give to help them on their way?

I would tell them to focus on building relationships. The skills will always be there to acquire but invest a lot of your time and effort in developing your team. Create a atmosphere where everyone feels valued and that their input is heard. Sets standards and don’t compromise results.

Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?

I have been fortunate to still want to develop people. I would like to have my team recognized as the problem solvers, “the get it done” people that we all what to be. I recognize that we are a service which supports more and more every day. I want people dream big and let IT folks figure out the 1s and 0s – collaboration toward common goals. Then take a long vacation.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

Aside from world hunger and people just loving each other for themselves – lol question is definitely bigger than a sound bite and this questionnaire.

A big thank you to Walter Banks from the City of Gainesville & Gainesville Regional Utilities for sharing his journey to date.