Avi Bender joined the Census Bureau as its first CTO in 2010. Avi guides technology modernization of the Bureau through strategic initiatives that will transform how data is collected, processed and disseminated. Avi has established an enterprise architecture program, an infrastructure road map and led both the concept and creation of the Bureau’s Innovation Center- the Center for Applied Technology. He leads a team of solution architects who are designing an agile, scalable, and responsive architecture and infrastructure to deliver both operational efficiencies and business process innovation. Avi provides thought leadership in the areas of open data innovation. He played a key role in the development of the Department of Commerce Strategic Plan (Data) and led a Commerce-wide team to define a unified architecture and shared service strategy. 

Prior to joining Census, Avi served a four-year term appointment as the Director for Enterprise Architecture (EA) at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He has extensive entrepreneurship, executive management and consulting experience in the private sector. Avi was a Managing Director at Price Waterhouse LLP where he provided IT thought leadership support for digital media. As the Managing Principle with IBM Global Services, he led IT strategy consulting initiatives for some of the largest media brands. Avi was also a co- founder of two digital media software companies. He holds a Bachelor of Science and two Masters degrees. Avi received the GTRA Federal Innovator of the Year Award in 2012.