Dallas CIO resigns after 4 years for role in private sector

Bill Zielinski is resigning from his position as Dallas’ chief information officer after nearly four years on the job, the Dallas Morning News reported on Wednesday.

Zielinski joined the city amid the COVID-19 pandemic and led the city’s response to a ransomware attack and navigated the fallout after a city information technology employee deleted millions of electronic police records. His official last day as CIO is April 30. 

Though he did not specify his new role, Zielinski told The Dallas Morning News he’s moving to the private sector after more than three decades working government jobs. 

“I had this great opportunity that came my way that, at the end of the day, given where I am in my career, where I am in my life, was just a great match. And so I said yes,” Zielinkski told The Dallas Morning News. “And so I’ll take several weeks off and then I will start a new gig in private industry.” 

Brian Gardner, the city’s chief information security officer, will serve as the interim CIO.

In 2021, a city IT employee accidentally deleted millions of police files. Two years later, some city computers and services were taken offline after a ransomware attack that breached more than 30,000 Social Security numbers and other personal information.

In response to the deletion of records, Zielinski began offering monthly reports on the IT department to the city council. Additionally, the ransomware attack prompted city officials to work to address its digital vulnerabilities.

“There’s nothing pushing me to leave,” Zielinski told the Dallas Morning News. “The city has been extremely supportive both from city management through to the council. I’m nothing but pleased with the support that the city has provided to me here in this role and to the IT organization, and I expect and I hope to continue to see that kind of support here in the organization.”