Orlando CIO Rosa Akhtarkhavari to retire
After more than three decades in public service, Orlando’s chief information officer and deputy chief financial officer, Rosa Akhtarkhavari, is set to retire.
A LinkedIn post from the City of Orlando on Tuesday celebrated Akhtarkhavari’s 32 years of service to the city. Akhtarkhavari began her work for Orlando in 1992 as an application developer and held a variety of IT positions before being named CIO 2010. In 2022, was appointed to the additional role of deputy CFO.
As the city’s top tech official, she oversaw all of the city’s information technology management, including cybersecurity, strategy, enterprise architecture and digital innovation. Akhtarkhavari also led the push for implementing cloud technologies, modernizing the city’s computer-aided dispatch system and upgrading its critical infrastructure.
She also in 2016 helped the city respond to the deadly Pulse nightclub shooting. At the time of the tragedy, Akhtarkhavari provided IT support for public safety officials, call centers and a “family assistance center” while managing the influx of support from vendors and community members who wanted to donate various resources. She later told StateScoop it was the city’s “resilient and scalable solutions” that made its timely and thorough response possible.
As deputy CFO, Akhtarkhavari led the Orlando Office of Business and Financial Services by directing the city’s internal financial technology functions — including risk management, real estate and procurement.
“Her passion for improving city operations and delivering the best technology solutions has created a strong foundation for the future. Rosa will certainly be missed, but we wish her the best as she embarks on the next chapter in her life,” the city’s LinkedIn post read.
