The City of Amarillo (COA) has announced the resignation of Assistant City Manager and Chief Technology Officer Rich Gagnon, effective July 22.
Gagnon has held several management positions with the city since 2016, including director of information technology, managing director and chief information officer.
“Over the past decade, Rich Gagnon has played a vital role in advancing the technological and communication capabilities of the city for the betterment of citizens and the community,” said City Manager Grayson Path. “The progress the city has made under Rich’s leadership and guidance has been immeasurable, and he has vastly improved the city’s ability to serve residents.”
In his recent position, Gagnon was responsible for departments such as Information Technology, the Amarillo Public Library, the Office of Engagement and Innovation, the Amarillo Civic Center, Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, Amarillo Public Health, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Amarillo City Transit, Community Development and Environmental Health.
During his time with the city, Gagnon led COA initiatives in securing infrastructure and cybersecurity, modernizing broadband not only in Amarillo but the Texas Panhandle with a historic multimillion-dollar public-private partnership with AT&T. The project provides high-speed, reliable digital connectivity across the city, including in the northern and northeastern parts. He also led the creation of the city’s first digital human/employee, Emma, who is the face of the city website, answering citizen questions and providing information 24 hours a day. “The best part of this job was never the technology – it was the people,” Gagnon said. “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated, resourceful and service-minded teams I have ever had the opportunity to work with, and whatever we accomplished together, they made possible. I’m grateful for every one of them and Amarillo is blessed to have them.”