FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland County Chief Innovation and Technology Services (ITS) Director Keith Todd retired July 30, 2025, after more than 20 years of service to Cumberland County Government. Daniel Rister has been named interim ITS director.
Todd was hired in 2004 as the Network and Information Services Manager. Todd was later promoted to deputy and was named the county’s ITS Director in February 2015. During Todd’s time as director, Cumberland County has greatly expanded ITS capabilities both for internal operations and customer service.
“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.”
Todd said a key initiative of modernization and leveraging new technologies that touched numerous county departments was converting major Enterprise Resource Planning applications from the long-standing Mainframe system. These efforts included projects such as Computer-Aided Dispatch for Emergency Services, as well as Enterprise Solutions for Financials, Central Permitting and Inspections, and Tax Systems.
“Keith Todd’s leadership and vision have transformed the way Cumberland County delivers services to our residents,” said County Manager Clarence Grier. “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.”
The CumberlandONE experience is an innovative countywide program dedicated to transforming the digital government experience, fostering seamless communication and expanding essential government services for all residents. The CumberlandONE experience includes the MyCCNCGov/Ask CCNC mobile app and intelligent chat service; the MyCCNCPay service offering secure, convenient digital payment for county services and paying property taxes; the Citizens Connect, which offers a dynamic map-centric portal to keep residents informed about developing trends, new businesses and local activities; and the Decision Engine, which simplifies the complex permitting and licensing processes for residents and developers. The most recent CumberlandONE initiative is the installation of indoor and outdoor kiosks that allow residents and visitors to access county services, find information and navigate government facilities.
The ITS department played a key role in the construction of the new Cumberland County Emergency Services Center at 500 Executive Place by implementing cutting-edge technology and overseeing the crucial task of seamlessly transitioning all operation 911 systems from the Law Enforcement Center to the new center without interruption.
Cumberland County has been nationally recognized by the Digital Counties Survey, through the National Association of Counties (NACo), for six of the past eight years. Cumberland was ranked third, in 2025, second in 2024, seventh in 2023, ninth in 2019, sixth in 2017 and seventh in 2013 in the category of counties with a population of 250,000 – 499,999.
"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."
“Looking back on my career as ITS Director, I am filled with pride and a sense of accomplishment,” said Todd. “Together, we have achieved so much, and there area few highlights that particularly standout to me.”
Todd is a native of Bladen County. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from East Carolina University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Liberty University.