Gilbert Welcomes Zach Klinefelter as Chief of Emerging Technology

Gilbert, Ariz.- The Town of Gilbert warmly welcomes Zach Klinefelter as Gilbert's new Chief of Emerging Technology.

Klinefelter joins the Town with expertise in applied artificial intelligence and organizational psychology. Most recently, he managed the Collaborative AI Innovation portfolio at Aptima, a defense research and development firm specializing in applied AI solutions for the federal government. There, he oversaw a range of federally funded programs to enhance collaboration between AI systems and human teams in complex, high-stakes settings. His projects covered military operations, search and rescue, logistics planning, and large-scale information analysis, in partnership with federal agencies like DARPA and the U.S. Air Force.

Klinefelter earned a PhD in Organizational Psychology from Clemson University, which informs his human-centered approach to integrating technology into real-world teams and workflows. His research in human-AI teaming has been published and shared across academic, government, and industry platforms.

Klinefelter comes from a military family and was born in Germany, experiencing diverse environments before relocating to Arizona for high school and then completing his undergraduate studies at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Outside of work, his interests include woodworking, golf, outdoor activities, and caring for his 12-year-old Australian Shepherd, Findlay. He is also an enthusiastic follower of Formula 1 racing and a McLaren fan.

As Gilbert's Chief of Emerging Technology, Klinefelter will oversee a team that focuses on fostering innovation through exploring and piloting new technologies across various departments. His team will also oversee and improve the processes and standards for responsibly adopting technology, enabling Gilbert to capitalize on the latest AI and emerging technology to better serve both staff and residents.