After more than a decade of dedicated service, Director of Information Services (IS) Dale Harwell is retiring. Harwell, who has led the City's IS department since 2014, will retire on April 15 after a distinguished career in information technology spanning more than 20 years.
A Texas native, Harwell grew up in Irving and earned both his BBA in Finance (1985) and MBA in Information Systems (2004) from UT Arlington. His career began in corporate purchasing before transitioning into IT, where he provided technical support and later led IT teams in municipal government, including roles at the Cities of Hurst and Euless before joining University Park.
During his tenure with the City, Harwell oversaw major advancements in IT infrastructure and data security while managing a $3 million annual budget and a talented team of IT professionals. Under his leadership, the City modernized its technology systems, improved cybersecurity, and enhanced operational efficiencies by integrating key applications with the City's core Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
Beyond his contributions to University Park, Harwell has been a leader in the broader IT community. He obtained his Certified Government (Chief Information Officer) CIO designation in 2018, served as President of the Texas Association of Governmental IT Managers in 2008, and co-founded IT Mutual Aid hubs across Texas, connecting 15 municipalities through inter-local agreements.
Harwell and his wife, Jana, have been married for over 40 years and have two adult children, Andrew and Haley (married to Luke), along with three beloved grandchildren, Finley, Beau, and Colton. In retirement, he looks forward to spending more time cycling, traveling, and volunteering with 6Stones and other ministries.
“Dale has been an invaluable part of our team, dedicating years of service to advancing our technology infrastructure and ensuring the efficiency of our information systems,” said City Manager Robbie Corder. “His expertise, leadership, and commitment to data security have played a vital role in modernizing city operations and enhancing services both internally and for our residents.”
The City is working on the recruitment of a new Director of Information Services to replace Dale.