Looking to become a model for how innovation can improve government efficiency and customer service, the City of Carlsbad today announced the appointment of a well-known leader in the smart cities movement. David Graham will begin his new job as the City of Carlsbad’s first chief innovation officer, starting Nov. 26.
Graham has worked in local municipal government for nearly 20 years, including the City of San Diego, County of San Diego and in private sector public affairs. He most recently served as the deputy chief operating officer for smart and sustainable communities at the City of San Diego.
“Carlsbad has long been a recognized leader among municipal governments. With this new role, we have a unique opportunity to redefine what a well-run mid-sized city looks like in the emerging digital age,” said City Manager Scott Chadwick.
While in San Diego, Graham helped create San Diego’s first all-electric car-share fleet in North America, developed a streamlined open-data platform for development permitting, deployed the largest municipal “Internet of Things” network in the U.S. with smart LED streetlights, and led regulatory reform to spur housing and neighborhood placemaking.
Other experience includes serving as the co-chair of the Edison Electric Institute’s Electric Utilities Advancing Cities, Secretary of World Trade Center San Diego, a Cleantech San Diego Board Member, founding member of the MetroLab Network and an adviser to Smart Cities Connect.
His passion for land use, sustainability and intelligent infrastructure has led him to be a recognized leader, speaker and writer on civic innovation.
