The City of Dublin named technology leader Doug McCollough to serve as its first executive director for the Global Institute for the Study of the Intelligent Community.
The Institute is a collaborative network of rural, suburban and urban community leaders and organizations across the region all focused on building Intelligent Communities. The executive director will play a key role in shaping the future of the City’s Institute by advancing six indicators set forth by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF): broadband connectivity, sustainability, knowledge workforce, digital inclusion, innovation and community engagement.
McCollough will hold the post as part of a joint appointment to executive director of The Beta District, an innovative ecosystem that spans Columbus through Dublin, Marysville and Union County.
McCollough has played an integral role in Dublin’s innovation and technology efforts over the last decade. He served as the City’s chief information officer from 2015 to 2024 before evolving to these regional leadership roles. He also is a cofounder and CEO of Color Coded Labs, which trains and empowers people in underrepresented communities with tech skills enabling them to access career pathways in the high-demand tech industry.
“Doug has earned an outstanding reputation as a technology leader not only in Central Ohio but globally,” said Megan O’Callaghan, Dublin City Manager. “His long-standing involvement with the Intelligent Community Forum, along with his strong relationships in the region, make him the perfect choice to lead the Dublin Institute. We are excited to have him guiding our efforts as we continue to advance our intelligent community initiatives.”
McCollough has been developing subject matter expertise in Intelligent Community concepts and practices since 2015. He serves as a jurist in the global ICF Awards and has served as an auditor to communities in the Top 7 of global rankings.
“I’m excited to help advance the principles of intelligent communities around the globe,” McCollough says. “Our work at the Institute will focus on gathering best practices from cities worldwide and sharing them with Ohio communities. By promoting intelligent community opportunities and results throughout the state, we aim to drive innovation and enhance the quality of life for all our residents.”
The Dublin Institute was established by City Council in April 2015 as an offshoot of the Intelligent Community Forum, a New York-based think tank that studies the economic and social development of the 21st Century community. The ICF conducts research and shares best practices of communities in adapting to the changing economic environment and positioning their citizens and businesses to prosper. Each year, the ICF names a list of Smart 21 and Top7 Intelligent Communities before selecting the Intelligent Community of the Year from among technologically savvy cities around the world. Dublin has been selected as a Smart 21 community three times and named a Top7 community twice. In 2022, Ohio was honored by the ICF as the world’s first Intelligent State.
McCollough’s new role was announced at the Dublin Institute’s fall 2024 workshop, “Learn How Smart Projects Make Intelligent Communities,” which took place Oct. 17, at Ohio University’s Dublin Integrated Education Center.
The ICF Global Institute conducts biannual workshops advancing the six indicators and supporting and encouraging other Ohio cities to apply through the ICF awards program. Ohio has more Smart 21 and Top7 communities than any other state in the country. The City of Hilliard, a 2023 and 2024 Top7 honoree, is vying to be named the Most Intelligent Community in the world when the ICF hosts its annual global summit in Barcelona Nov. 4.
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About the City of Dublin, Ohio, USA
Dublin is a city of around 50,000 residents located just northwest of Columbus, Ohio. It offers residents and corporate citizens responsive services, attractive housing options, superior public education, direct regional highway access, abundant park space, thoughtful and strategic planning, innovative ideas and technology and a dynamic community life. Dublin is ranked the number one small city in Ohio and is consistently named one of the safest cities in the nation. It is home to more than 20 corporate headquarters, an entrepreneurial center, 4,300+ businesses, world-class events and the urban, walkable Bridge Street District. For more information, visit DublinOhioUSA.gov or call 614.410.4400.
Media Contact:
Aisling Babbitt
Deputy Director of Communications & Marketing
614.410.4508
ababbitt@dublin.oh.us
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