Helping CIOs Build Healthy, High Performing Organizations
For many busy CIOs, simply keeping up with stakeholder demands is a full-time commitment. Finding time to work "on the business," building high-performing teams, creating a healthy work environment, and driving organizational maturity can feel out of reach. Yet these elements have the greatest impact on delivering stakeholder value.
Being a government Chief Information Officer (CIO) is both rewarding and uniquely challenging. The role impacts every aspect of the larger organization, from day-to-day operations to employee productivity and constituent services.
However, the increasing demands for efficient service delivery, strategic projects, and organizational value can make it difficult for CIOs to focus beyond immediate technical and service delivery needs. The complexity of this environment, exacerbated by aging infrastructure, budget constraints, and workforce challenges, often leaves little room for developing and maturing the business side of IT.
This is where LGOV can assist. We help busy CIOs and their leadership teams focus on strengthening the business operations side of IT. Our services enable IT leaders to implement the organizational development initiatives they wish they had time for, building a healthier work environment, creating the culture and environment needed to innovate, thrive, and deliver increased customer value.
California State CIO Carlos Ramos presenting
Steve the Public CIO of the Year Award
THE LGOV DIFFERENCE
Unlock Your Organization’s Full Potential
Our approach starts with a deep understanding of your current situation, helping you uncover opportunities and challenges. We work with you to identify the essential organizational infrastructure needed to boost performance and drive sustainable growth. From there, we develop a clear, actionable roadmap that guides your organization forward, empowering your team to achieve lasting success and reach new heights.
Transform Your IT Department into a High-Performing Powerhouse
High Performing Government IT (c) is a right-sized acheivable and holistic framework to transform IT organizations with. Developed by LGOV, it is based on 25+ years of award winning experiance and results.
Steve teaching a Cybersecurity IT Leadership
course at the CSAC Institute for Excellence in
County Government. Sacramento, CA.
High Performing Government IT
The framework to build healthy - high performing IT organizations.
Being a Government IT Leader
Defining your purpose and role
Building a Healthy Organization
Values & Vision
Culture
Structure
People
Communications
Working on the Right Stuff
Enterprise IT Governance
Strategic Planning
Portfolio Management
Service Directory
Budget & Economics
Delivering Great Service
Policies & Procedures
Frameworks
Knowledge Management
Customer Service
Relationship Management
Continuously Improving
Feedback Loops
Organizational Embedding
Processes & Systems
Performance Management
Innovation Leadership
Working on the business
IT is a business requiring organizational infrastructure like all businesses do
- Vision, Values, and "Why"
- Delebrate culture development
- Goals and performance management
- Expectations
- Stakeholder alignment
- Communications Planning
- Roles and responsibilities
- Product and service management
IT Leadership Coaching & Development
- IT Leader
- IT Leadership Team
- Facilitated team engagement to move forward with Vision, People, Culture, Structure, & Processes
Steve: A Proven Leader in Government IT Innovation and Transformation
With 25 years of experience as a local government CIO and Agency Director, Steve has a track record of building and transforming IT teams into nationally recognized leaders. Under his direction, Nevada County’s IT department became one of the most awarded organizations in the country, earning first place six times in the Center for Digital Government's National Digital Counties Survey and consistently ranking in the top five for 20 consecutive years.
Steve's contributions to public sector IT have been widely recognized. He was named California Public CIO of the Year by Public CIO Magazine and the California State CIO Academy, and he received the prestigious Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers of Technology in Government award from the Center for Digital Government. Additionally, the California County Information Services Directors Association (CCISDA) honored Steve with their Visionary Award for IT Leadership.
Before his distinguished career in public service, Steve was a founding principal of a Sacramento-based IT service and consulting firm, where he gained valuable experience in the private sector.
Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a minor in Business Administration, along with several industry-leading certifications, including:
- Certified Government Chief Information Officer, University of North Carolina
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control, ISACA
- Certified Information Systems Auditor, ISACA
- Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT, ISACA
- High-Performing Organizations LEAD program, University of Virginia
Steve is also a CSAC Credentialed County Executive and CSAC Fellow. He created the CSAC/CCISDA County Technology Executive Credential program, developing and teaching over 15 IT leadership courses that have credentialed more than 300 California County IT leaders.
Beyond his direct leadership roles, Steve has served on advisory boards for the California State University Chico Cybersecurity for Executives Program and Sierra College's IT Program. He has also been an active participant on technology committees and advisory boards for the National Association of Counties, the International City/County Managers Association, the Rural County Representatives of California, and the California State Association of Counties.
A committed mentor, Steve contributes to various programs, including MS-ISAC®, ISACA, CivStart, and informal initiatives with California County CIOs, helping to guide and inspire the next generation of IT and GovTech leaders.
Steve Monaghan
CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
Executive Mentoring
What started as a quick call to introduce myself to Steve has evolved into a mentorship from Steve to me that continues to this day. The help that Steve provides to me is not unique. We see his guidance and support being provided to CIO’s and many other IT and business leaders that he interacts with him in multiple professional organizations.
Steve provides valuable input with IT Governance, policies, recruiting and staff development, relationship building, budget management, strategic planning, cybersecurity, emergency services, best practices, rural broadband, and more.
~ Stan Moore, CIO ~ Calaveras County, CA
---------------------------
I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by Steve during my transition into my Information Security role within local government, and his impact on my professional growth has been exceptional. From the beginning, Steve served as a guiding light, helping me define and pursue meaningful goals, many of which were outlined in the goal-setting plan we created together through the ISACA Mentorship Program.
Steve brings a rare combination of deep experience and outstanding communication skills. He helped me strengthen my personal brand and taught me how to build influence even when I lacked formal authority. Because of his mentorship, I’ve been able to grow much faster and gain confidence in navigating complex organizational dynamics, forming strategic relationships, and leading key initiatives.
This mentorship not only benefited me personally, but it also strengthened the County’s security program by helping me become a more effective and strategic security leader. Steve doesn’t just give advice. He helps you see the bigger picture, stay focused, and act with intention.
I’m truly grateful for the role he’s played in my development and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a mentor in cybersecurity, leadership, or professional growth.
~ Kelven Leverett, CISSP, CISM ~ Yolo County, CA
Providing workshops, trainings, and consulting services to help organizations, teams, and executives thrive.
(530) 278-8362
Values & Vision
When a local government IT department lacks clearly articulated values and vision, employees often operate without a sense of direction or purpose. This absence can lead to misaligned priorities, fragmented initiatives, and low morale, as there is no common thread guiding behavior or motivating staff. A weak or undefined vision makes it difficult for CIOs to rally their teams, establish trust, and foster a sense of belonging or professional identity, all of which are crucial for delivering public value and stakeholder satisfaction.
In contrast, a mature organization with well-defined values and vision experiences unity, clarity, and shared motivation. Employees connect their daily work to a greater purpose, leading to greater engagement and job satisfaction. Strategic alignment flourishes, making it easier to prioritize initiatives and navigate change. For CIOs, this enables the building of empowered, resilient teams who are passionate about serving the public, ultimately enhancing organizational effectiveness and the quality of service delivery.
Sample Vision, Mission, Values document
Culture
A deficient or toxic organizational culture undermines employee well-being and productivity. Poor culture can manifest as distrust, siloed behaviors, fear of innovation, or resistance to feedback, fostering high turnover and stifling the development of effective teams. In such environments, CIOs struggle to implement positive change, and stakeholders may perceive the IT department as bureaucratic or unresponsive, eroding confidence and engagement.
Conversely, a strong, positive culture cultivates collaboration, psychological safety, and continuous learning. Employees thrive when they feel respected, supported, and encouraged to contribute ideas. This leads to innovation, better problem-solving, and a willingness to go the extra mile, resulting in high-performing teams and improved stakeholder trust. CIOs benefit from a healthy culture through increased staff retention and the ability to attract top talent, creating a virtuous cycle of organizational success.