Today, Mayor Freddie O’Connell announced he has hired Shawn Smith, MBA, PMP as Metro Nashville’s new Chief Information Officer (CIO). Smith will lead the Metro Department of Information Technology Services (ITS), which supports more than 50 agencies, includes a staff of 170, a budget of $64.5 million. Smith is an accomplished IT professional with more than 30 years of leadership in city and county governments.
Smith replaces Keith Durbin who retired in 2024. John Griffey, who has served as interim CIO since Durbin’s departure, is resuming his role with Metro as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
"Shawn Smith's leadership experience demonstrates technical know-how combined with modern vision and planning to ensure Metro has the best information technology systems that support and secure all that we do," Mayor Freddie O'Connell said. "I'm grateful to John Griffey for his service as interim CIO. He and Shawn will make a dynamic team together."
Smith comes to Nashville after leading operations in both Kenosha, WI, and then Cedar Rapids, IA. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
“What excites me is the opportunity for technology to help shape and develop what Metro Nashville is doing,” Smith added. “Whether it’s supporting the mayor’s key initiatives like Choose How You Move or Nashville’s burgeoning tech sector, our work will play a key part in Nashville’s growth and service of Nashvillians.”
Smith’s understanding of both city and county operations and experience developing departments in multiple other cities gives him a unique understanding of how to navigate the challenges and opportunities to innovate that exist in an ever-changing tech world.
Smith’s first day as CIO is March 16, 2026.
