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PODCAST

Untangled

Abhijit Verekar

State and local governments provide vital services to their citizens and keep them safe. They are also one of the largest employers in the country. They employ about 14 million people in the US, not including public schools and hospitals. However, they’re also wrought with antiquated systems, broken processes, paperwork overwhelm, lack of transparency, and underutilization of intelligent technologies.If you are a municipal leader, everyday citizen, or work for a state or local government across the

government

All Episodes

11:13

Vaporware Traps: Why Government Keeps Falling for...

Untangled ·

2025/12/18

Software demos are built to sell you a story — not to show you what a product can actually do. And in government, that story can cost millions. Vendors walk in with polished screens, AI “prototypes,” and roadmap features presented as if they’re ready to deploy. But once the contract is signed, the reality looks very different. In this episode, we untangle the truth behind vaporware: why governments trust demos too much, how “coming soon” features get used to win deals, and the red flags that ...

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38:12

From Practitioner to CIO: The Leadership Evolution No...

Untangled ·

2025/12/11

A lot of government CIOs step into the role carrying years of technical experience — but almost no preparation for the executive expectations that come with it. The shift from practitioner to CIO is bigger than most people realize, and it has very little to do with technology. In this Untangled episode, AV and former CIO Robert Kornovich unpack what the job actually requires: communicating without jargon, framing risk for non-technical leaders, navigating politics, aligning teams, managing ex...

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41:50

Why Avero Isn’t a “Tech Firm” — And What...

Untangled ·

2025/12/04

Avero gets labeled a “tech firm” all the time — but that’s exactly what we are not. In this episode, we break down why being vendor-agnostic matters, why we refuse to sell software, and why true modernization has far more to do with vision, culture, governance, and sustainability than technology alone. We revisit what organizations miss when they rush into products, how tech-first decisions undermine outcomes, and why ERP transformations fail when political pressure overrides long-term strate...

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57:13

GovAI Summit Recap: Separating Signal from Noise in...

Untangled ·

2025/11/20

The GovAI Coalition Summit brought together government leaders, vendors, and innovators to talk about the future of AI in the public sector. But beneath all the excitement, one truth stood out: not everything labeled “AI” is actually meaningful for government. In this episode of Untangled, we break down the state of GovTech AI after two major conferences, what local governments should be paying attention to, and what they should ignore. From the rise of custom software disguised as AI, to ven...

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38:17

From Paper to Person: Injecting Life into Vendor...

Untangled ·

2025/11/13

Procurement shouldn’t feel like a cemetery of PowerPoints. In this episode of Untangled, Megan Seaton (VP of Strategic Growth) and Robert Kornovich (VP of Strategic Initiatives) dive into why so many shortlist vendor interviews fall flat — and how both sides can bring them back to life. They share candid advice from years of experience on both sides of the table: - Why cameras should be on - How to turn presentations into conversations - Why authenticity beats sales talk every time If you’re ...

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40:56

Leveraging Technology to Build Trust in Local...

Untangled ·

2025/11/06

Trust is the most valuable currency in local government — and technology can make or break it. In this episode of Untangled, AV shares insights from his ICMA 2025 presentation, “Leveraging Technology to Build Trust in Local Government.” He explores how transparency, accessibility, and communication — not just technology — determine whether citizens stay confident in their government. From reducing friction in service delivery to creating AI readiness and strategic technology plans, AV breaks ...

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29:21

What’s a Realistic Timeline for Public Sector...

Untangled ·

2025/10/23

Every agency wants modernization to move faster—but how fast is realistic? In this episode of Untangled, Megan Seaton and Robert Kornovich break down the truth about transformation timelines. From readiness assessments to implementation realities, they discuss how leadership, change management, and vendor coordination define what’s possible. They also unpack why timelines often slip, what clients overlook when setting expectations, and how third-party oversight prevents costly mistakes. Becau...

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36:57

From Phoenix to Policy: Reflections on Housing...

Untangled ·

2025/10/23

Innovation, AI, and community engagement were front and center at this year’s NAHRO Conference in Phoenix. In this episode of Untangled, Megan Seaton and Robert Kornovich recap key insights from conversations with housing leaders, commissioners, and technology vendors shaping the future of affordable housing. They discuss how AI, modernization, and workforce challenges are redefining how housing authorities serve their communities. This episode covers: How AI is transforming housing operation...

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29:21

What’s a Realistic Timeline for Public Sector...

Untangled ·

2025/10/16

Every city wants transformation fast—but is faster always better? In this episode of Untangled, Megan Seaton and Robert Kornovich break down what it really takes to modernize a public agency. From readiness assessments to vendor negotiations to go-live dates, they unpack the realities that determine project timelines—and why change management often matters more than technology itself. If you’ve ever wondered why projects get delayed or why vendors push aggressive timelines, this one’s for you...

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84:49

Modern Policing & Data-Driven Leadership: A...

Untangled ·

2025/10/03

In this episode of Untangled, Avero Advisors CEO Abhijit Verekar sits down with Chief Paul Noel, Knoxville’s 27th Chief of Police, to explore how visionary leadership and technology are reshaping modern policing. Knoxville Police Department Website: https://knoxvilletnpolice.gov/ Chief Noel, who joined KPD in 2022 after more than 25 years with the New Orleans Police Department, has led one of the most dramatic public safety turnarounds in the country. Under his leadership, Knoxville has seen ...

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49:42

From Benchmarks to Predictive SIS: The Future of...

Untangled ·

2025/10/02

This episode of Untangled explores how student data is moving beyond static benchmarks toward predictive insights that can actually guide educators, counselors, and families. We discuss: Why legacy SIS platforms limit progressHow AI can support counselors facing 500:1 caseloadsThe role of predictive analytics in identifying at-risk students earlierWhy governance and privacy must guide every stepThe future of student data isn’t just reports—it’s actionable insight that supports students, famil...

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16:30

From Disaster to Best Practices: Lessons in...

Untangled ·

2025/09/25

ERP projects don’t have to end in disaster. While some agencies struggle with payroll crises and costly failures, others—like Atlanta—prove that success is possible when leaders follow proven principles. In this episode of Untangled, we explore: Why proven platforms outperform custom buildsThe critical role of stakeholder engagement and data qualityHow process improvement and domain expertise prevent failureThe $55 million lesson from San Francisco’s payroll disasterThe difference between fai...

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39:15

2026 Paradigm Shifts: Rethinking Government ERP...

Untangled ·

2025/09/18

The landscape of government ERP is shifting fast. As agencies look ahead to 2026, it’s clear the old frameworks for selection, contracts, and implementation no longer fit today’s realities. From AI maturity and workforce expectations to reporting, training, and procurement models, the next wave of ERP projects requires a fundamentally different approach. In this episode, we break down the paradigm shifts agencies must understand to reduce risk, avoid costly failures, and build systems that tr...

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27:54

ERP Contracts Uncovered: Avoiding the Fine Print Traps

Untangled ·

2025/09/11

Once you sign an ERP contract, your leverage is gone. So why are so many public-sector agencies still rushing that moment? In this episode of Untangled, Megan sits down with Avero Project Manager Billie to unpack the realities of ERP contract negotiation. They share insights from the field—including current client stories—and reveal the most overlooked (and costly) missteps. You’ll learn: Why “go-live” must be clearly defined—by you, not the vendorHow to structure milestone-based payment term...

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46:16

Modern Finance in Government: AI, Strategy & the...

Untangled ·

2025/09/04

From ARPA funds to AI, the role of government finance leaders is shifting—and fast. In this episode of Untangled, the Avero team breaks down the trends shaping the future of public-sector finance, strategy, and modernization. Fresh off the GFOA conference, they dive into what’s real, what’s just buzz, and how CFOs and finance professionals can stay ahead. You’ll learn: Why AI interest is rising—but implementation still needs human oversightHow the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA) is dri...

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42:38

Procurement Politics: How to Keep Vendor Selection...

Untangled ·

2025/08/28

Procurement isn’t just paperwork—it’s politics. And if you don’t manage it strategically, your entire ERP project could be compromised. In this episode of Untangled, the Avero team digs into the behind-the-scenes dynamics that shape fair vendor selection—and what public agencies can do to stay above reproach. You’ll learn: How to avoid RFP language that favors one vendorWhy Phase 0 discovery builds better, more neutral requirementsWhat it really means to be vendor agnostic (and how to spot re...

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38:10

Define Success Before You Fund It: Project Scope Done...

Untangled ·

2025/08/21

In this episode of Untangled, Megan and Robert Karnovitch walk through one of the biggest blind spots in ERP and modernization projects: vague or one-sided scopes that lead to underbudgeting, delays, and rework. You’ll learn: Why single-author scopes create alignment problemsHow executive turnover can pause projects midstreamWhat to ask before inserting a number in your capital budgetWhy internal resource planning is more important than people thinkHow to use RFIs and assessments to clarify s...

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40:28

EAM in Focus: Strategic Asset Management for Modern...

Untangled ·

2025/08/14

What does it take to modernize how governments manage roads, bridges, buildings—and everything in between? In this episode of Untangled, Avero Advisors CEO Abhijit Verekar sits down with Associate Consultant Caleb Cruz to break down the complexities, opportunities, and overlooked challenges in modern Enterprise Asset Management (EAM). Tune in for an insider look at: Why EAM is more than just work orders—it’s strategic financial stewardshipHow GIS, mobile access, and asset hierarchies impact i...

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28:47

AI & GovTech: The Race to Do It Right

Untangled ·

2025/08/07

In this episode of Untangled, AV sits down with Muddu Sudhakar, AI thought leader and Microsoft executive, to explore what it really means to lead in the age of artificial intelligence—from space-based data centers to responsible AI adoption in local government. They unpack the realities behind the "AI race": rapid innovation, vendor hype, overwhelmed agencies, and the hidden costs of chasing shiny tools without a strategy. Learn why the real path to dominance isn't about speed—it's about ser...

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42:02

AI’s Tipping Point: July’s Seismic Shifts in GovTech

Untangled ·

2025/07/31

In this solo episode, AV breaks down what made July 2025 a defining moment in AI and government technology. From the release of Grok-4 and the anticipated rollout of GPT-5 to massive infrastructure investments and evolving federal AI policy—this update is packed with insight. We also explore local government use cases, smart city wins, and why the public sector must start with strategy before chasing tools. If you're navigating modernization, procurement, or policy—this one's for you. 👉

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106 results

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