Leadership

Jory Wolf, CIO

Jory Wolf is the Chief Information Officer for the City of Santa Monica.  His responsibilities include planning and management of all automated information systems and services, including computing, networking, telecommunications and geospatial and web-based technologies.  Mr. Wolf’s strategic vision, technical expertise, and detailed systemic analysis established the City of Santa Monica as a technology leader, not only in local government but also in technologies typically reserved for the private sector.  His skilled management has led to a number of award-winning projects.  Under Mr. Wolf’s management, Information Systems established itself as a city department after a successful run as a division of the City Manager’s Office that increasingly implemented new and complex technologies.

Mr. Wolf has held progressively responsible positions at the city and has over 30 years experience in Information Technology.  Prior to becoming Chief Information Officer in 1999, he was Manager of Information Systems for six years, where he managed Year 2000 mitigation strategies, implemented client server technologies and reengineered networking and telecommunications systems.  He was Systems Development Manager for seven years and assisted in the development of Santa Monica’s award-winning Public Electronic Network, the first online government access system for the public.  A past board member of the Government Technology Conference and Government and Business Technology Group, he is also an active member of the Public Technology Institute (PTI).  Mr. Wolf received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and completed graduate level courses in Information Systems Management at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Al Dave, MBA
Software Systems Manager

Al Dave has worked as the Software Systems Division Manager for the City of Santa Monica for nine years.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at San Diego and has a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Telecommunication and Information Systems from National University.  He has held management positions in Information Systems for the City of Long Beach, and Culver City prior to joining Santa Monica. Al currently directs web development, emergency response, geographical information systems, database administration, systems analysis and implementation, application development and system maintenance.

Sarkis Metzpakyan
Systems and Network Manager

Sarkis Metzpakyan is the Systems and Networks Division Manager and has over 12 years of experience with the City of Santa Monica. He has worked for private companies, including Bell Labs and Phillips Electronics, and the City of Los Angeles prior to joining the City of Santa Monica. He manages the strategic planning, design, installation, maintenance and repair of the fiber optic and wireless networks, computer and network hardware, software systems, business data security and access control, telecommunications equipment, call processing and voicemail systems, and voice and data switches. Sarkis also oversees the operations of all data center facilities and all voice/data communications rooms.

Behrang Abadi, PMP
Web Development Manager

Behrang Abadi is the Web Development Division Manager for the City of Santa Monica.  Behrang holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems from National University, and graduated with honors from Pepperdine University with a Master's degree in Management and Leadership.  Behrang is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute, as well as a Certified ScrumMaster through the Scrum Alliance.  Behrang has over 14 years of web development experience, with heavy emphasis in user centered design and user experience.  Prior to joining Santa Monica, Behrang worked for the City of Glendale, CA for 19 years where he held a management position overseeing web and applications development, enterprise content management, and service desk operations.

Edwin Ro, CISA, MBA
Support Services Manager

Edwin Ro is the Support Services Division Manager and joined the City of Santa Monica in 2012.  As Support Services Manager, Edwin oversees information technology support for computer and telecommunications services.  He also manages IT customer service and training program for the City.  Before joining the City of Santa Monica, Edwin held several business operations and IT positions at several organizations including County of Los Angeles, KPMG, and Edision International.  At the County of Los Angeles-Chief Executive Office, Edwin managed several IT functional areas including strategic planning, system operations, desktop support, and was instrumental in implementing an information security program.  Most recently at Edison International, Edwin performed internal audit, regulatory compliance and risk advisory services in energy effiency, coal plant operations, and transmission/distribution operations.  Edwin is a Certified Information Systems Auditor and an active member of the Information Systems and Control Association (ISACA).  Edwin holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Information Systems from California State University, Northridge and an MBA from University of California, Irvine.