Long Beach names Tendaji Jamal as new Technology and Innovation Department director

Long Beach has selected a new leader for its Technology and Innovation Department. City officials announced last week that Tendaji Jamal, who brings more than 25 years of public-sector technology leadership experience, has been appointed director. He will start in the role on Nov. 16.

According to the city's Oct. 22 press release, Jamal will oversee efforts to strengthen Long Beach's technology infrastructure, expand digital services and advance innovative solutions that support city operations and better serve residents, businesses and visitors.

City Manager Tom Modica praised the appointment in a statement. "Tendaji brings a wealth of experience in modernizing complex technology systems and developing strategic solutions that support organizational goals," Modica said, adding that Jamal's 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."

Jamal succeeds Deputy City Manager Meredith Reynolds, who has served as acting director since April. The department's previous permanent director, Lea Eriksen, held the role from 2018 before departing to become senior assistant city manager in Culver City.

Jamal comes to Long Beach from Pasadena City College, where he served as chief information technology officer. In that position, he led major initiatives to modernize the college's technology infrastructure, bolster cybersecurity and improve institutional operations. Among his accomplishments, he oversaw a multimillion-dollar migration of the college's core enterprise resource planning system to a modern cloud-based platform, a move that improved operational efficiency and supported 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 aimed at improving data quality, accessibility and organizational decision-making. His background includes leading large-scale technology implementations, creating transparent IT governance and project prioritization frameworks, and strengthening cybersecurity and emergency response capabilities.

At Pasadena City College, Jamal helped lead technology response and recovery efforts during major incidents, including the Eaton Fire and a 2026 cybersecurity incident, helping keep critical services running and minimizing operational disruptions. City officials said his career has been defined by transforming technology departments into strategic partners that advance organizational priorities and improve service delivery.

In his new role, Jamal will oversee implementation of the city's TID28 strategic roadmap, which emphasizes modernizing critical technology infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity protections and improving coordination across city departments. His initial priorities include conducting a comprehensive assessment of the city's technology systems and operational needs, engaging with departments and staff to identify improvement opportunities, and establishing transparent processes for prioritizing technology investments.

Jamal also plans to advance digital solutions that make city services more accessible, efficient and responsive, the press release said. His vision includes streamlining internal workflows, improving collaboration and data sharing across departments, and expanding user-friendly digital services so residents and businesses can reach city resources more easily. The 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," Jamal said in a statement. "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." He added that he looks forward to working with the Technology and Innovation team and departments across the city "to build secure, reliable and accessible services that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Long Beach residents."