SAN FRANCISCO, CA--- Mayor London Breed and City Administrator Carmen Chu today announced that, after a nationwide search, government technology developer and information security expert Michael Makstman has been appointed as the new Chief Information Officer of the City and County of San Francisco and Director of the Department of Technology. Makstman has previously served as the Chief Information Security Officer for the San Francisco Department of Technology where he was crucial in securing our systems against cyber threats and managing our technological challenges throughout his tenure, including:
- Developing a yearly cybersecurity training program for 30,000+ staff
- Coordinating emergency preparedness exercises with citywide partners
- Collaborating with City leaders to create the Office of Cybersecurity
- Driving San Francisco’s first internal guidelines on generative AI.
“Our ability to improve the City's technology infrastructure, create robust cybersecurity programs, and explore AI solutions to bolster City services is pivotal to our efforts to continue to meet the needs of our residents and staff, respond to emergencies, and protect San Francisco against real-time threats," said Mayor London Breed. "Michael is a proven leader with significant experience in these areas, and I look forward to working with him and City Administrator Chu to move San Francisco forward.”
"Michael’s contributions have been invaluable, serving as the City’s first Chief Information Security Officer and creating systems that significantly enhance the City's and County's resilience against cyber threats," said City Administrator Carmen Chu. "He was crucial in managing the technological challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic which allowed our staff to work safely and remotely. He is creative and focused on delivering technology solutions that enhance and protect government services for the City and County of San Francisco, and I am confident that Michael will advance our core technology backbone, resilience and safety in the future."
Makstman brings over 15 years of experience in managing and leading regulated organizations to provide efficient and secure technological access for local governments. As the Director of the Department of Technology, Makstman will spearhead efforts to enhance government services that benefit the community and provide innovative and responsive technology solutions throughout San Francisco.
"I am honored and humbled that Mayor Breed and Administrator Chu have chosen me to continue in this role,” said Michael Makstman. “I am excited to continue leading an amazing DT team. We are committed to ensuring city technology is secure, reliable, and efficient in service of all San Franciscans."
With an annual operating budget of $140M and over 260 employees, the Department of Technology (“DT”) provides essential IT services to City employees who serve the residents, businesses and visitors of the City and County of San Francisco. The department provides many of the core information technology infrastructure and services essential for City operations through its management of City data centers, telecommunications, SFGovTV, cybersecurity, public safety radio system maintenance, and operational support to 30,000+ San Francisco government employees.
In the past several years, DT has migrated legacy criminal justice systems to a modern database, upgraded the City to a new, highly resilient, software-defined network, and, through the Fiber to Housing program, greatly expanded free, highspeed internet to residents of affordable and low-income housing in San Francisco.
Makstman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and IT from DePaul University and Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was recently selected as one of the top 25 technology doers, dreamers, and drivers in the nation by Government Technology Magazine. Makstman is a founder and Co-Chair of Coalition of City CISOs, an organization dedicated to promoting cybersecurity for local governments. He is a Fellow of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), the largest international organization of information security professionals. Makstman began his service in the Director/CIO position on July 8, 2024.
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