Viggo Forde – Snohomish County

Viggo Forde operates at the intersection of technology and public service, leading one of the most critical functions within Snohomish County, Washington, part of the Seattle metropolitan region. As chief information officer and director of IT, he is responsible for enabling systems that support more than 840,000 residents and over 3,400 employees, all of whom rely on services that must function securely and efficiently every day.

Viggo Forde | Snohomish County | CIO & Director of IT

Snohomish County employs roughly 3,400 people across 28 departments, including several elected offices. Its IT organization supports internal operations and provides internet services to school districts, cities, and 911 systems. Forde leads a team of 102 professionals across disciplines such as cybersecurity, infrastructure, and application development, creating a full-service organization that touches nearly every aspect of county operations.

Forde approaches his role with a clear focus on aligning technology with the county’s mission of improving the lives of residents and employees. In a government environment, where resources must be carefully managed and outcomes must directly serve the public, that alignment is essential.

“We are focused on purpose-driven work that ensures access to information and provides effective solutions for our residents and workforce,” Forde says.

His leadership style is shaped by more than two decades in the private sector, including roles at Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing Commercial Airplanes, before joining the county in 2019. With an engineering background from the University of Washington, he brings a systems-oriented mindset to problem-solving, emphasizing efficiency, scalability, and long-term thinking.

Transitioning into government revealed a different kind of impact, one rooted in mission rather than margin.

“The dedication and pride in public service are things that are hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it,” Forde says.

He emphasizes autonomy within his team, allowing experienced professionals to innovate while staying aligned with county priorities. This balance enables the IT department to function as both a service provider and a strategic partner, supporting a wide range of departments that each have unique operational needs.

Transforming operations through enterprise systems

One of the most significant initiatives under Forde’s leadership is the implementation of an enterprise-wide ERP system in collaboration with Oracle, IBM, and RedCloud Consulting. The project centers on Oracle Fusion, a cloud-based platform that replaces legacy systems that have become increasingly difficult to maintain.

Previously, the county relied on multiple on-premises systems that required constant updates, manual workarounds, and complex integrations. These systems created inefficiencies and limited data sharing across departments.

“The ERP is not just a technology upgrade, it’s a business transformation that touches all county departments,” Forde says.

The shift to a unified platform will simplify technical operations and transform how work gets done across the organization. Employees are gaining more intuitive workflows, and departments will begin to operate with greater consistency and transparency. At the same time, improved data accessibility supports better decision-making and faster responses to residents.

The scale and complexity of the project have required strong collaboration. External partners bring specialized expertise, while internal stakeholders help ensure that the system reflects real-world needs. As implementation continues, the benefits are becoming more visible, reinforcing the value of long-term investment in modernization.

Navigating artificial intelligence with intention

Forde and his team are also exploring artificial intelligence with a deliberate and cautious approach. In a rapidly evolving landscape, public sector organizations must balance innovation with responsibility.

“We want to be early, but not the first,” Forde says.

Rather than rushing into large-scale adoption, the county has developed interim policies and guidelines and is conducting targeted pilot programs. These efforts allow the organization to explore AI-assisted productivity while minimizing risks related to data security and privacy.

The approach reflects the workforce’s diversity, spanning multiple generations with varying levels of comfort with new technology. Some employees are eager to adopt new tools, while others are more cautious, particularly when it comes to concerns about job security and data protection.

“There’s a lot of demand for AI, but we have to be thoughtful about how we introduce it and make sure people understand both the opportunities and the risks,” Forde says.

By collaborating with Washington State Office of the CIO (WaTech), the county is aligning with best practices while identifying practical use cases that can deliver value without introducing unnecessary risk. For Forde, the goal is to ensure that innovation supports the workforce rather than disrupts it.

Strengthening defenses in an evolving threat landscape

Cybersecurity remains a constant priority and one of the most challenging aspects of Forde’s role. In a landscape defined by persistent and evolving threats, maintaining a strong defensive posture requires continuous effort.

“You are never really safe, you are just waiting your turn,” Forde says, while continuously preparing and planning.

The county has made significant investments in security, including robust backup systems designed for rapid data restoration, full deployment of multi-factor authentication, and 24/7 managed detection and response services. These measures are supported by advanced monitoring tools that analyze large volumes of network data to identify potential threats before they escalate, managed by their outside partner, BlueVoyant.

Training is also a critical component. Employees across the organization participate in regular cybersecurity awareness programs, while technical teams receive specialized training to stay ahead of emerging threats. This layered approach recognizes that security is not solely a technical issue but a shared responsibility.

“We have to be right every time, and the attacker only has to be right once,” Forde says.

That reality drives a culture of vigilance within the IT organization. From proactive monitoring to incident response planning, the county is focused on minimizing risk while acknowledging that no system can ever be completely immune to attack.

Leading with perspective & purpose

Forde’s leadership is grounded in perspective. Born and raised in Norway, he moved to the United States after completing military service, bringing a global outlook to his work. That background, combined with his private sector experience, informs a balanced approach to leadership.

He recognizes the scale of responsibility that comes with supporting essential public services, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy and engaged team.

“It’s important work, but we also have to keep it in perspective and make sure we’re creating an environment where people can be creative and enjoy what they do,” Forde says.

By empowering his team and fostering strong partnerships, Forde has built an organization capable of navigating both current challenges and future opportunities. From modernizing legacy systems to exploring emerging technologies and strengthening cybersecurity, his work reflects a thoughtful and strategic approach to leadership.

After seven years with Snohomish County, Forde remains focused on continuous improvement. Technology, in his view, is not an end in itself but a tool for delivering meaningful impact. Through that lens, he is helping to shape a more responsive and resilient future for the county and the community it serves, ensuring that innovation is always grounded in purpose and service.