The City of Huntsville’s Director of Information Technology Services (ITS), Bill Steiner, has retired after 18 years of service. Tasked with keeping the City’s technology infrastructure secure and up to date, Steiner officially signed off at the end of February.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Leading a 40-member team, Steiner oversaw network and server management, software and hardware procurement, telecommunications, and IT training for City employees. Mayor Tommy Battle praised Steiner’s contributions, highlighting his leadership in cybersecurity and dedication to ensuring the City’s systems remained secure and efficient.
“Bill developed a great team in ITS to capably serve the vast needs of our departments and citizens,” Battle said. “He was ahead of the game on cybersecurity and worked to ensure City systems run safely, smoothly, and that data is protected. We are grateful for his leadership and service.”
A Career Built on Service
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Steiner began his professional journey in the U.S. Air Force in 1981, serving 24 years as a technician, supervisor, and medic. After earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer-related fields, he joined Huntsville’s ITS department in 2006 as a computer programmer and instructor. His expertise and leadership led to his promotion to ITS Director in 2013.
Transforming the City’s IT Landscape
Steiner considers modernizing Huntsville’s technology infrastructure to be his greatest accomplishment as Director.
“We’ve upgraded hardware, software, and many technological processes across the City,” he said. “I may be biased, but I feel we have the best municipal IT department in the state and one of the top in the Southeast.”
Beyond his work within City operations, Steiner forged strong connections with state and national organizations, including Cyber Huntsville, GeoHuntsville, the FBI’s InfraGard, Redstone Arsenal, and local colleges.
Building a Strong ITS Team
For Steiner, his biggest source of pride is the team he built.
“We have a group of talented, top-notch employees who take pride in their work and want to serve the public,” he said. “Over the past decade, we’ve transformed the City’s approach to ITS, and most departments now bring us into projects early, recognizing the value we add.”
Cybersecurity Challenges and Future Hopes
Steiner acknowledged cyber threats as the most pressing challenge during his tenure, crediting the Mayor and City Council for prioritizing cybersecurity resources.
“The cyber threat is real, and as we’ve seen in the news, it can bring a city to its knees,” he said. “This is an issue that keeps several of us awake at night.”
As for the future, Steiner encourages continuous learning and innovation within the department.
“I’ve always urged my employees to keep growing and striving for excellence. I’m confident the Administration will choose a strong successor who will continue enhancing the City’s technology.”
Retirement Plans
Now that he’s stepping away from City operations, Steiner is looking forward to a healthier lifestyle, home improvement projects, and plenty of time on the golf course.
“That’s the beauty of retirement—anything I want, with my wife Alice’s permission, of course!” he said.
The City of Huntsville thanks Bill Steiner for his service and wishes him the best in his well-earned retirement.
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