Longtime Cumberland County ITS Director Keith Todd Stepping Down

Longtime Cumberland County ITS Director Keith Todd Stepping Down

Cumberland County| Public Safety
July 30, 2025•3 min read

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – After more than 20 years dedicated to Cumberland County Government, Keith Todd, the county's Chief Innovation and Technology Services (ITS) Director, retired today, July 30, 2025. Daniel Rister has been appointed interim ITS director.

Todd's extensive career with Cumberland County began in 2004 when he was hired as the Network and Information Services Manager. His expertise and leadership quickly led to a promotion to deputy, and by February 2015, he was named the county's ITS Director. Under his guidance, Cumberland County significantly expanded its ITS capabilities, enhancing both internal operations and citizen services.

"We advanced our application modernization strategies by leveraging new technologies to create modern experiences for both our departments and the citizens we serve," said Todd. "There are countless achievements to highlight, from CumberlandONE initiatives to Tech Day. However, I am most proud of the incredible team we have built, ready and capable to tackle any challenge."

A significant part of Todd's tenure involved the modernization of key Enterprise Resource Planning applications, transitioning them from the longstanding Mainframe system. These ambitious projects included the implementation of Computer-Aided Dispatch for Emergency Services and enterprise solutions for Financials, Central Permitting and Inspections, and Tax Systems, all of which touched numerous county departments.

County Manager Clarence Grier lauded Todd's contributions, stating, "Keith Todd’s leadership and vision have transformed the way Cumberland County delivers services to our residents. His dedication to modernizing our technology infrastructure and enhancing the digital experience has positioned us as a leader among counties across the nation. We are grateful for his years of dedicated service and wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement."

A hallmark of Todd's leadership was the CumberlandONE experience, an innovative countywide program focused on transforming the digital government experience. This initiative fostered seamless communication and expanded essential government services for all residents. Key components of CumberlandONE include:

  • The MyCCNCGov/Ask CCNC mobile app and intelligent chat service.

  • The MyCCNCPay service, offering secure and convenient digital payment options for county services and property taxes.

  • Citizens Connect, a dynamic map-centric portal keeping residents informed about developing trends, new businesses, and local activities.

  • The Decision Engine, simplifying complex permitting and licensing processes for residents and developers.

  • Most recently, the installation of indoor and outdoor kiosks providing residents and visitors with access to county services, information, and navigation within government facilities.

The ITS department also played a crucial role in the construction of the new Cumberland County Emergency Services Center. Their efforts involved implementing cutting-edge technology and seamlessly transitioning all operational 911 systems from the Law Enforcement Center to the new facility without interruption.

Under Todd's direction, Cumberland County has consistently received national recognition from the Digital Counties Survey, conducted by the National Association of Counties (NACo). The county has been recognized for six of the past eight years in the category of counties with a population of 250,000 – 499,999, ranking third in 2025, second in 2024, seventh in 2023, ninth in 2019, sixth in 2017, and seventh in 2013.

"On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I want to thank Keith Todd for his unwavering commitment to Cumberland County,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere. “His innovative approach has strengthened our operations and improved how we connect with our community. Keith leaves behind a legacy of progress and collaboration that will benefit our residents for years to come."

Todd, a native of Bladen County, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from East Carolina University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Liberty University. Reflecting on his career, Todd expressed a sense of pride and accomplishment, highlighting the collective achievements of his team.

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