Author Archive

Mitch Herckis

Mitch Herckis
Mitch Herckis is Route Fifty’s Senior Editor and Director of Strategic Initiatives. Mitch has spent 15 years focused on state and local public policy on behalf of non-profit organizations, the private sector, and now Route Fifty. Mitch most recently served as Director for State and Local Government Programs at a cybersecurity company. Mitch has also served as the Director of Government Affairs for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), and Senior Legislative Counsel and Principal Associate for Federal Relations at the National League of Cities. Mitch has also served as a consultant, strategist, and advocate for individual states, cities, and towns on a variety of public policy concerns. He has represented federal employee associations to Congress and the Administration, and served as a producer and co-host for a Clear Channel radio talk show. Mitch holds both an MA and BA in Political Science from American University.
Management

Celebrating the Best of State and Local Government

It’s time for our journalists to hear from you about the state and local leadership and programs with the biggest impact—nominate the cream of the crop for our fourth annual Navigator Awards.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Workforce

The Cybersecurity Crisis Requires Getting Serious About Diversity

It is not simply a numbers game: diversity is a proven “differentiator” that research shows makes organizations better.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Digital Government

Contractors and Advocacy Groups Push Back on State Efforts to Mandate Surveillance Software

State legislation pushed by one company to require contractors to install the software would compromise data privacy and carry steep costs for companies and governments, the groups argue.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Workforce

Taking An 'All of the Above' Approach to Cope With Tech Disruption

The U.S. Conference of Mayors President on how he and his peers are helping residents confront the realities of today's economy—and what comes next.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Emerging Tech

What Self-Driving Cars Mean For Seniors and the Suburbs

The U.S. Conference of Mayors vice president focuses on getting his community excited for the “human aspect” of the disruptive technology.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Management

Why Engaging Young People Is Vital For City Leaders

“Mayors are figuring out that if you do not have kids at the table ... you’re probably not a very good mayor.”

  • By Mitch Herckis
Workforce

A Mayor’s Perspective: Women and Automation on the Rise

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley reflects on the changing conversation around technology and why executive roles in politics have been particularly difficult for women to obtain.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Digital Government

Government Needs An ‘Ethical Framework’ to Tackle Emerging Technology

At SXSW, a beacon of technology idealism, mayors discuss how to deal with the difficult problems that can come with new tech.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Workforce

Artificial Intelligence Now Helps People Find Jobs

A group of young entrepreneurs are looking to empower workforce agencies and job seekers, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Emerging Tech

A Startup Wants to Turn Your City’s Trash Into a Heap of Big Data

One company hopes to create an “Internet of Garbage,” with the promise to bring better logistics to municipal waste.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Digital Government

State Legislators Want to Mandate Worker Tracking Software for Contractors

NASCIO opposes the legislation proposed in 23 states. One company has been vocal in advocating for the bills.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Featured eBooks
The State of Trust in Government
Cybersecurity in State and Local Government
Building Data Literacy in the State and Local Workforce
Emerging Tech

The Next E-Scooter Headache: Hackers

A cybersecurity firm showed they could take control of an e-scooter someone was riding from up to 100 meters.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Emerging Tech

Railroad Crossings Are Dangerous and Ripe for Disruption

How we keep people on foot and in cars from getting hit by trains hasn't changed much in the last century.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Management

A New Approach for Families Experiencing Homelessness In Boston

2018 NAVIGATOR AWARD WINNER: Annissa Essaibi-George, Boston City Councilor, City of Boston, Massachusetts.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Emerging Tech

Las Vegas’ Smart City Approach Is More Than Just Dazzle

2018 NAVIGATOR AWARD WINNER: Michael Sherwood, Director of Information Technology, City of Las Vegas, Nevada

  • By Mitch Herckis
Management

Mixed Results for Democrats in Battleground Governors Races

Democrats picked up seven seats, but also lost a few competitive races.

  • By Bill Lucia, Mitch Herckis and Dave Nyczepir
Digital Government

Brian Kemp Was Warned of a Cyber Vulnerability. He Weaponized It—Again

Georgia’s secretary of state and Republican gubernatorial candidate has a history of attacking those who point out the flaws in his state’s election cybersecurity.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Infrastructure

Can ‘Mad Libs’ Save Our Failing Infrastructure?

A resiliency team takes an out-of-the-box approach to America’s least sexy problem.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Management

As Trump Mulls A Federal Rollback, States Are Adding Transgender Rights

More and more states are allowing flexibility to people on how they are identified on official government documents, a key issue for transgender advocates.

  • By Mitch Herckis
Digital Government

Eliminating Tech Tribalism in Government

Are public sector agencies ready take tech collaboration to the next level? Our survey says government officials want to, but don’t know where to start.

  • By Mitch Herckis