Jorge Cardenas Joined Austin as Deputy CIO

The former Brownsville official brings experience in fiber expansion to the city's leadership team.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Data Centers

Jorge Cardenas Joined Austin as Deputy CIO

Jorge Cardenas has joined the city of Austin as its deputy chief information officer. He previously served as the first CIO for Brownsville, where he spearheaded technology modernization and smart city initiatives.

Why it matters

The appointment brings a veteran leader to Austin's IT department who has a proven track record of overseeing large-scale digital infrastructure projects. His background in both local government technology and military service aims to support the city's ongoing digital transformation efforts.

Cardenas oversaw the installation of more than 100 miles of fiber infrastructure during his tenure in Brownsville. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Jack Welch Management Institute.

The players

Jorge Cardenas

He is the new deputy chief information officer for Austin who previously served as the first CIO of Brownsville for four years.

U.S. Marine Corps

Cardenas served for eight years in this branch of the United States Armed Forces.

The details

During his four years as Brownsville's first CIO, Cardenas led enterprise technology strategy and digital transformation, specifically focusing on broadband expansion and smart city infrastructure. He plans to begin his tenure in Austin by meeting with his team to listen and learn before formalizing new initiatives.

Cardenas announced his move to the city of Austin on Monday.

The Tech Race

Cardenas joins the Austin team with an established reputation, having previously been ranked 25th in the Center for Digital Government Top Doers, Dreamers and Drivers list. This hire reflects a broader trend of mid-sized city leaders moving into larger metropolitan roles to drive enterprise digital transformation.

As the new deputy CIO, Cardenas will influence the city's digital strategy, potentially affecting the accessibility and reliability of municipal online services for Austin residents. His experience suggests future improvements to broadband reach and smart city infrastructure could be expected.

The takeaway

Cardenas brings a focus on large-scale infrastructure and digital strategy to the Austin IT team. His transition highlights the importance of experienced leadership in navigating the complex demands of municipal smart city technology.