The City of Long Beach announced the appointment of Tendaji K. Jamal as Director of Technology and Innovation, effective Nov. 16. Mr. Jamal brings more than 25 years of experience in public-sector technology leadership, with extensive expertise in enterprise technology modernization, cybersecurity, information technology governance and strategic planning. He will lead the City’s Technology and Innovation Department (TID), overseeing efforts to strengthen the City’s technology infrastructure, enhance digital services and advance innovative solutions that support City operations and better serve Long Beach residents, businesses and visitors.
“Tendaji brings a wealth of experience in modernizing complex technology systems and developing strategic solutions that support organizational goals,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “His leadership and expertise in cybersecurity, digital transformation and collaborative technology planning will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our infrastructure and improve the delivery of City services. We look forward to welcoming him to our executive leadership team.”
Jamal most recently served as Chief Information Technology Officer at Pasadena City College, where he led major initiatives to modernize the college’s technology infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity and improve institutional operations. Among his accomplishments, Jamal oversaw a multimillion-dollar migration of the college’s core enterprise resource planning system to a modern cloud-based platform, improving operational efficiency and supporting long-term system reliability. He also spearheaded the development of the college’s first institutional artificial intelligence governance framework and helped establish a comprehensive data strategy to improve data quality, accessibility and organizational decision-making.
Throughout his career, Jamal has focused on transforming technology departments into strategic partners that advance organizational priorities and improve service delivery. His experience includes leading large-scale technology implementations, developing transparent IT governance and project prioritization frameworks as well as strengthening cybersecurity and emergency response capabilities. At Pasadena City College, he also helped lead technology response and recovery efforts during major incidents, including the Eaton Fire and a 2026 cybersecurity incident, helping maintain critical services and minimize operational disruptions.
As Director, Mr. Jamal will oversee the implementation of the City’s TID28 strategic roadmap, with an emphasis on modernizing critical technology infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity protections and improving coordination across City departments. His initial priorities will include conducting a comprehensive assessment of the City’s technology systems and operational needs, engaging with City departments and staff to identify opportunities for improvement, and establishing transparent processes for prioritizing technology investments and projects.
Jamal also plans to advance digital solutions that make City services more accessible, efficient and responsive to community needs. His vision includes streamlining internal workflows, improving collaboration and data sharing across departments, and expanding user-friendly digital services that allow residents and businesses to access City resources more easily. These efforts will emphasize language accessibility, digital inclusion and equitable access to technology, particularly for historically underserved communities.
“I am honored and excited to join the City of Long Beach and serve a community that has made such a clear commitment to innovation, inclusion and excellent public service,” said Jamal. “Technology in local government is ultimately about serving people by delivering dependable services, safeguarding public trust through robust cybersecurity and ensuring every resident has equitable access to City resources. I look forward to working alongside the talented Technology and Innovation team and all departments across the City to build secure, reliable and accessible services that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Long Beach residents.”
Deputy City Manager Meredith Reynolds served as Acting Director of the Technology and Innovation Department since April 4. She will return to her role as Deputy City Manager on Nov. 13.