Recorded at the inaugural WRITA spring conference, this episode brings together Scott Conn (CIO, City of Mesa and WRITA chair), Mary Wynne (CEO, Fusion Learning Partners/PTI), and returning guest Chris Stewart (CRO, Freeit Data Solutions, former City of Austin CIO). They unpack how WRITA was built as an all-hands regional alternative to CIO-only clubs, and how leaders are handling local government IT budget cuts — through tools-first strategy, real partnerships over transactional vendors, transparent communication, and continued investment in professional development.

Guests

Scott Conn, Chief Information Officer, City of Mesa, Arizona; Founder, WRITA
Mary Wynne CEO, Fusion Learning Partners (Public Technology Institute)
Chris Stewart Chief Revenue Officer, Freeit Data Solutions (former CIO, City of Austin)

Timestamps

(05:45) Scott’s problem with “CIOs-only clubs”—and the idea that became WRITA

(09:17) Four sponsors, one rule: bring an implementation—not a sales pitch

(15:36) Flat budgets, higher quotes—and why doing the same with less is now hard

(17:05) Tools first, people second: Mesa’s strategy for keeping services moving

(18:00) Two sentences. Fifteen minutes. Why only two vendors in ten earn the full meeting

(19:24) Before you buy another tool, are you using the one you already own?

(26:23) The rumor mill starts before the decision does

(27:00) Mesa’s budget glide path: 2% now instead of a drastic 15% later

(35:00) Accountability overcorrected—and then trust caught up

(37:23) “The best leaders are the best learners”

(42:07) The budget line Mary says leaders should think twice before cutting

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