
Marietta's own Ronald Barrett, the City’s Director of Information Technology, has been recognized as one of Government Technology magazine's Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers for the year 2025. Barrett, whose work in steering the city's technological progression is now in the national spotlight, has proven himself a noteworthy figure in public-sector innovation, meeting the needs of citizens with a practical yet visionary approach.
Barrett caught the magazine’s attention by pushing boundaries; for instance, he helmed a joint project with Georgia Tech aiming to bolster the integrity and functionality of municipal utility data systems. The partnership has notably escalated network security measures surrounding Marietta's electrical grid, as well as its water and sewer infrastructures. In a city that often seems like a constellation of servers and systems, Barrett’s work stands out not just for its technical acumen, but for the simple yet elusive promise of making those constellations work for everyone.
The accolades don't end with magazine rankings. Last year, Marietta grabbed the top spot in the 2024 Digital Cities Survey, a national contest that measures a city's prowess in deploying technology for enhanced security, transparency and citizen service. The distinction made Marietta the only city or county in Georgia to have snagged this first-place honor. It's a testament to Barrett's leadership that a city can be both a haven of historic charm and a beacon of digital modernity.
As for the application of AI, Barrett's ambitions are set on the weariness and warble in residents’ voices—how machines might better decipher the need in them and respond accordingly. "The use of artificial intelligence to enhance accessibility and city services," as proclaimed by the City of Marietta's announcement, reflects a merger of human touch with silicon efficiency in public service.