Transforming Local Governments Using Emerging Technology: A Conversation with Denise Linn Riedl, Chief Innovation Officer, City of South Bend, Indiana with Chip Kennedy & Tom Spengler

This episode is dedicated to telling the stories of local government leaders who in their own way are leveraging technology and innovation to change the way they govern and the way they deliver the mission of government. Join host Michael J. Keegan from the State of GovTech 2025, a hallmark event hosted by CivStart, a premier hub for government technology innovation as he shares insights and stories of a host of thought leaders, tech entrepreneurs and government executives.
Broadcast Date: 
Monday, July 7, 2025 - 11:10

Tom Spengler - CivStart

Tom Spengler has over 23 years of dedicated local government technology experience. As the former CEO and co-founder of Granicus, Tom helped create the market-leading citizen engagement and legislative management solution used by more than 6,000 government agencies and 500 million citizens. More recently, during Spengler’s tenure as CEO, Rock Solid accelerated growth in North America and expanded its offerings through acquisition, growing to serve more than 800 municipal customers across the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Executive in Residence
Great Hill Partners
United States

Tom Spengler has over 23 years of dedicated local government technology experience. As the former CEO and co-founder of Granicus, Tom helped create the market-leading citizen engagement and legislative management solution used by more than 6,000 government agencies and 500 million citizens. More recently, during Spengler’s tenure as CEO, Rock Solid accelerated growth in North America and expanded its offerings through acquisition, growing to serve more than 800 municipal customers across the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In October 2022, Tom successfully led the sale of Rock Solid to Granicus. Tom is now serving as Executive in Residence at Great Hill Partners. Tom is passionate about improving government and their communities through technology and has sat on the board of several other technology companies including Automotus, Propylon, Rock Solid, Ascendify, PrimeGov, and Granicus.