Mayor Kasim Reed today announced the appointment of Samir Saini, an information technology leader with proven experience, as Commissioner for the Department of Information Technology. In this role, Saini is responsible for delivering a broad range of IT initiatives in support of the City’s more than 8,000 employees and more than 500,000 residential and business customers.

Saini comes to the City of Atlanta with more than 15 years of experience and is a recognized leader in information technology, data security, and business operations. His experience spans multiple sectors including energy, hospitality, real estate, and public housing. Since 2010, he has served as the Chief Information Officer for the Atlanta Housing Authority. In that role, Saini achieved $4 million dollars in agency-wide annual operating cost savings from a multi-year business transformation effort. Under his direction, annual IT costs dropped by 20% while improving workplace productivity and accuracy in regulatory reports. 

“Samir Saini’s strong experience in strategic IT planning and implementation will be a critical asset to the City,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “Information technology plays a crucial role in delivering government services and I have charged Samir Saini with improving the City’s use of technology to better serve residential and businesses customers, in addition to expanding the availability of wi-fi in city parks and other public spaces.” 

Saini began his career at The General Electric Company as an IT Program Manager, quickly moving up to Enterprise Resource Planning Director for GE Energy Services. As Vice President for Corporate Solutions at MGM International Resorts, Saini was responsible for $10 million dollar IT strategy and service delivery supporting finance, procurement, legal, and human resources across 17 hotel-casinos. 

“I am honored to join Mayor Reed’s administration,” said Samir Saini. “Information technology works best when it is tied directly to improved customer outcomes. I look forward to close collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer and Department Commissioners to effectively utilize technology solutions throughout city government.” 

Saini’s appointment will be effective August 11, 2014 and requires confirmation by the Atlanta City Council. Saini succeeds Michael Dogan who has served as the interim Commissioner since 2011.