Driving Digital Transformation in Public Administration

Michael Rose is a highly skilled professional, currently serving as the administrative manager at the City of Chattanooga. With over 25 years of experience in information technology, he has built a reputation as a skilled leader, problem-solver and systems expert. His journey from a young tech enthusiast to a senior city administrator reflects his commitment to public service, learning and continuous growth.

Rose’s educational journey began with a deep curiosity about the natural world. In 1996, he studied marine biology at Universidad de Panamá, focusing on the differences between tidal pools on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

In 2001, with a passion and love towards technology, he enrolled in the Cisco CCNA Networking Academy at Chattanooga State Technical Community College, where he learned the foundations of networking and systems administration.

Rose took his first major professional step in January 2002, when he joined the City of Chattanooga as an IT support specialist. Over the next 16 years, he became the backbone of the city’s IT infrastructure. He provided technical support for over 2,000 users, quickly resolving complex issues including network slowdowns, system crashes and connectivity problems. Known for his efficiency, he resolved 95 percent of service requests on the first call and earned a user satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of five.

Along with his technical skills, Rose showcased strong interpersonal communication, coaching and mentoring abilities. He trained department heads and city staff on the use of new technologies. He also played a key role in evaluating hardware and software purchases, negotiated million-dollar contracts and helped develop IT policies that improved operations across the board. His focus on people management, emotional intelligence and customer service ensured that both staff and systems operated smoothly.

While working full-time, Rose pursued his education in 2008 and earned an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College, graduating with a 3.8 GPA. Soon after the graduation, Rose was promoted to application analyst for the City of Chattanooga in November 2018. In this role, he took charge of large-scale digital transformations. He helped design and launch a new online permitting system that replaced outdated, paper-based processes. As an administrator for the OpenGov and e-PlanSoft platforms, he managed system configurations and supported staff training. He also ran financial and performance reports and ensured secure integration with the geographic information system.

Rose led cross-functional projects, wrote several RFPs, developed milestone plans, and oversaw multi-agency collaborations. He also worked as the administrator for the Stripe online credit card system, ensuring smooth and secure payment processes for citizens. He developed training programs, created instructional videos and conducted one-on-one sessions to help city employees and the public use technology confidently.

In January 2025, his expertise and commitment to excellence earned him a new title of administrative manager. In this role, he now oversees broader administrative and operational functions for the city. He brings his deep knowledge of system administration, analytics and strategic planning to support departments, lead initiatives and improve public services.

Rose holds numerous certifications that back his technical expertise, including CompTIA A+, Network+, CIW Site Development Associate and ITIL Foundation in IT Service Management.

Through every phase of his career, Rose has remained grounded in the values of service, precision and continuous improvement. Today, as he leads with vision and integrity, Rose continues to shape the digital future of Chattanooga.