Scott Conn: Driving Smarter Government Through Innovation

Leadership is often measured by the results it delivers, but true disruption comes from creating lasting change that improves the lives of others. Throughout a career that has spanned corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, executive consulting, and public service, Scott Conn has consistently embraced challenges that demanded bold thinking and practical execution. Today, as Chief Information Officer for the City of Mesa, he is helping redefine how technology can transform government services while keeping people at the center of every decision.

From leading successful business ventures to building award-winning technology initiatives in the public sector, Conn has remained guided by a clear set of values: knowledge, respect, integrity, and honesty. His leadership has helped position the City of Mesa as one of the nation’s leading cities for artificial intelligence adoption, while fostering a culture where collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation go hand in hand. In this conversation, he reflects on the experiences that shaped his career, the leadership principles that continue to guide him, and his vision for the future of technology in public service.

Q: Let’s start with your journey. Can you tell us how you began and what led you to your current leadership role?

Scott Conn: My career has taken me through several exciting chapters. I started in the private sector with AT&T, where I worked my way up through the organization and gained valuable experience in technology and leadership. After that, I moved into business turnarounds, acquiring a company, merging it with six others, taking the business public, and eventually retiring.

Retirement did not last very long. After about six months, I started an executive consulting firm that worked with Fortune 500 technology companies. I spent the next twenty years helping organizations solve complex challenges before selling the company and retiring again.

Once again, retirement was short-lived. A former client invited me to support their technology operations in local government, which opened the door to my first Chief Information Officer role. That journey eventually brought me to the City of Mesa, an organization that truly embraces innovation and is committed to using technology to better serve its residents.

Q: What has kept you motivated throughout your career, and which values guide your leadership today?

Scott Conn: I’ve always had a strong drive to prove myself, although I think it has been more about challenging myself than proving anything to anyone else. That mindset taught me that success is a journey, not a destination. Every achievement simply creates another opportunity to grow.

The values that guide me are straightforward. I believe in constantly learning and expanding my knowledge because leaders should never stop improving. Respect is equally important. You earn it by leading through your actions, treating people well, and recognizing the value they bring.

Integrity is the foundation of everything I do. Being accountable, responsible, loyal, and ethical matters in every situation. I would also add honesty. People deserve to know exactly where they stand with you. Being open and genuine builds trust, and I believe that trust is one of the most valuable things a leader can earn.

Q: Every leader faces difficult moments. Can you share one experience that tested you and what it taught you?

Scott Conn: One of the most difficult experiences came during my time in the public sector. A senior official repeatedly spread false information about my team and me. The situation became so difficult that several talented employees chose to leave rather than continue dealing with the environment.

I made the decision that I would not compromise my values. Instead of giving in, I focused on standing up for my team and making sure the truth became visible. Over time, other senior leaders saw what was really happening, and eventually that individual left the organization.

That experience reinforced something I have always believed. If you stay true to your principles and remain committed to doing what is right, the truth has a way of coming forward. Challenges may take time to resolve, but integrity should never be sacrificed.

Q: Innovation and collaboration are central to your work. How do you encourage both within your organization?

Scott Conn: Innovation starts with creating an environment where people are encouraged to think differently and solve real problems. At the City of Mesa, our Department of Innovation and Technology has been fortunate to receive national and international recognition for the work we’ve done. We were recently recognized as the number two city in the United States for AI adoption and delivering meaningful AI services for residents.

Collaboration is just as important. I helped establish the Western Regional Innovation and Technology Alliance, known as WRITA, which connects government technology professionals across seven western states. It allows teams to share ideas, solve challenges together, and learn from each other’s experiences.

The biggest benefit is that no one has to solve every problem alone. Whether someone works in cybersecurity, GIS, infrastructure, or software development, they can connect directly with peers across multiple agencies. That level of collaboration helps everyone move faster and deliver better results.

Q: In your view, what separates exceptional leaders from average managers?

Scott Conn: Great leadership begins with leading by example. That does not always mean standing at the front of the room. Sometimes it means working alongside your team when they need your support the most.

Communication is another key factor. People perform their best when they understand the goals, have the resources they need, and are trusted to do their jobs. Once you’ve provided that foundation, it’s important to step back and allow them to succeed while remaining available whenever they need guidance.

I also believe leaders should protect their teams. When challenges or political pressure arise, your people need to know you will stand with them. That kind of support builds loyalty, confidence, and a culture where people are willing to give their very best.Top of Form

Q: How have mentorship and continuous learning influenced your leadership journey, and how do you encourage them within your team?

Scott Conn: I’ve been fortunate to learn from mentors who shared their real-world experience with me. They helped me navigate the competitive corporate world, the consulting industry, and eventually the unique challenges of public service. Those lessons shaped not only my career but also the way I lead today.

Because others invested in my growth, I believe it’s my responsibility to do the same for my team. I want to create opportunities that help people grow professionally and personally. We focus on developing talent from within, giving people new responsibilities and helping them prepare for the next step in their careers.

I often compare it to a coaching tree in sports. One great coach develops future coaches, who then develop others. That’s the kind of culture we’re building at the Department of Innovation and Technology. Success is not just about today’s results. It’s about preparing the next generation of leaders.

Q: Technology and community needs are constantly evolving. How do you keep your organization agile and aligned with those changes?

Scott Conn: Staying connected is one of the biggest advantages we have. We collaborate regularly with peers through WRITA and attend conferences where we learn about new technologies and emerging best practices. My leadership team also spends a great deal of time listening to our residents and city departments so we understand what they truly need before we look for solutions.

One philosophy we live by is that we don’t wait for the rain to stop. We learn how to dance in it. There is never a perfect time to launch something new, and waiting for ideal conditions usually means missing opportunities. We prefer to move forward with purpose, adapt as we go, and continue improving.

Just as importantly, every project must align with the goals of city leadership and the City Council. If an initiative no longer supports the city’s priorities, we stop, reassess, and redirect our efforts where they can create the greatest value.

Q: Looking back, what has had the greatest influence on your leadership style?

Scott Conn: I don’t believe there is one defining moment that shaped my leadership style. Leadership is about adapting to the situation in front of you. Some moments require a more direct approach, while others call for servant leadership, where your job is simply to give your team the tools and support they need to succeed.

What never changes is my confidence in my people. I trust that they have good intentions, work hard, and always give their best effort. Even when things don’t go as planned, I know they’ll learn from the experience, get back up, and keep moving forward.

That resilience has become part of our culture. We stay focused, keep improving, and never lose sight of our goals.

Q: What advice would you give to emerging leaders who want to make a meaningful impact?

Scott Conn: One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking. If everyone always agrees with you, you’re probably missing valuable perspectives. Different opinions help you make better decisions and continue growing as a leader.

I also encourage people to maintain a sense of urgency. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before taking action. Progress comes from moving forward, learning, and adjusting along the way. Opportunities rarely arrive under perfect conditions.

Finally, find work that genuinely excites you. When you’re passionate about what you’re building, that energy spreads throughout your team. People are inspired by leaders who truly believe in the mission they’re pursuing.

Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of your organization and the technology industry?

Scott Conn: I believe the future of government will be shaped by thoughtful and practical implementation of artificial intelligence. I emphasize “thoughtful” because success isn’t about chasing ambitious ideas that may be years away. It’s about applying AI today in ways that create real value for employees and residents.

AI can help reduce repetitive work, improve efficiency, save time, lower costs, and make government services easier to access. Those are benefits we can deliver right now.

I also believe there should always be a person involved in the process. AI is not here to replace people. Instead, it should remove routine tasks so employees can focus on higher-value work that requires creativity, judgment, and human connection.

That’s what excites me most. The City of Mesa is already seeing those benefits, and I believe we’re only beginning to discover what’s possible.

Scott Conn’s career reflects a rare combination of business experience, entrepreneurial success, and public service leadership. Across every chapter, he has remained committed to building organizations that embrace innovation without losing sight of the people they serve. His belief in integrity, continuous learning, collaboration, and trust has helped create high-performing teams that are willing to challenge convention and deliver meaningful results.

As Chief Information Officer for the City of Mesa, Conn continues to demonstrate that disruption is not simply about adopting new technology. It is about creating lasting improvements that make government more responsive, more efficient, and more connected to the needs of its community. By combining practical innovation with a people-first approach, he is helping shape a future where technology serves as a powerful tool for progress while empowering the next generation of leaders to continue driving meaningful change.