Seattle's tech landscape is ushering in a new era as the City Council on Monday confirmed Rob Lloyd as the Chief Technology Officer. Lloyd, previously serving in an interim capacity, was first picked for the role by Mayor Bruce Harrell on May 30 and has now secured a tenure that extends through 2028, as per an announcement posted on TechTalk.

The confirmation by the full council follows a unanimous recommendation by the five members of the Parks, Public Utilities & Technology Committee on August 14. Lloyd's vision for technology in Seattle goes beyond traditional "swim lanes" of government operation, asserting a more dynamic and integrative approach to meet citywide goals, a process he likened to a game of water polo. "It requires an all-hands approach, and technology needs to play that role because we connect information, systems, and action," Lloyd said during his committee appearance.

Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth expressed her endorsement of Lloyd with enthusiasm, highlighting his intelligence, innovative spirit, and commitment to service. "I have known Rob Lloyd to be smart, a forward thinker — innovative, and focused on service, functionality, and fluidity for our City," Hollingsworth remarked in the full council meeting.

With the official appointment, Lloyd addressed the full council, acknowledging the responsibility his team holds to the nearly 760,000 residents of Seattle. "I have shared with the Seattle IT team that we have 759,915 Seattleites counting on us, giving us a compelling reason for excellence every day," Lloyd articulated. This sentiment outlines a clear mission for Seattle IT, aiming to harness the collective effort of 13,000 city employees in civic service.