Thanks to the efforts of Director of Technology Services, Veronica Lipscombe, District residents and businesses enjoy an unprecedented variety of online web-based services. From requesting and tracking city services to registering their businesses over the Internet, technological advances in the past five years have vastly improved life and commerce in Washington, DC. Many talented individuals have contributed to the efforts that afford 24/7 access to DC government; however, one talented “behind the scenes” individual deserves much credit for making the District’s technological services a reality – and keeping them running.

Before 1999, the DC government lacked the technological infrastructure to allow most DC government agencies and offices to exchange e-mail or data. With $30 million in funding from the DC Financial Responsibility Authority, Lipscombe devised the DC Wide Area Network (DCWAN) program to connect over 500 DC government business locations throughout the District's 63 square miles. Leading a team, Lipscombe implemented DCWAN in 18 months. Today, DCWAN connects over 30,000 users and 660 remote locations. DCWAN is the city’s technology backbone that has made all of the District’s other IT achievements possible. Web access, coordinated city services, and emergency response depend on the reliability and utility of the government’s technological infrastructure. Lipscombe maintains the infrastructure at state-of-the-art and secure levels while leveraging her technological skills to save millions in taxpayer dollars. Lipscombe also showed vision back in 1997, when most governments failed to understand the impact the Internet could have on their operations.

Lipscombe was determined that DC government would be the first in the country to act as its own internet service provider (ISP). At the time the District’s agencies had a myriad of ISPs hosting fledgling websites charging an average of $9 per user per month. Lipscombe convinced agencies that the District could host their website and connect them to the Internet for an average of 25 cents per user. Today the award-winning www.dc.gov is a 140,000 page portal with 150 plus applications and searchable databases.

In addition to her professional innovations, Lipscombe is known throughout the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) as a committed and thoughtful leader. A former supervisor noted, “Veronica’s professionalism, work ethic and can do spirit is contagious amongst her staff. All of her staff is enthused with the same vitality and helpful attitude that she displays.”

Lipscombe’ stance on her career is humble, yet motivating. “Tomorrow’s technology is today’s future. We are determined to make the network infrastructure strong, vital and groundbreaking, while being economy savvy.”

Her desire has always been to “make a difference” and “make a contribution” to her city. “As an African-American female in a typically male dominated field of information technology, I have always respected and relied on the greater determination of women in leadership such as Hillary Rodman- Clinton, Maxine Waters, Condeleeza Rice, friend and mentor, Suzanne Peck, and the most important person who gives me spiritual guidance and motivation continuously throughout my success, my mother. She is the person that has nurtured me and given me spiritual uplift,” says Lipscombe.

With 31 years of service to the District, Lipscombe is the “backbone” of the technology services offered to the District. She is a native Washingtonian.