Key Takeaways
- Brandon Branham joins Juganu as VP of Connected Solutions after over a decade in local government.
- Branham’s experience includes the successful Curiosity Lab project that attracted significant investment and jobs to Peachtree Corners.
- His new role will leverage technology to support smart city initiatives across North America.
Branham’s Transition to Juganu
Brandon Branham, the former Assistant City Manager and Chief Technology Officer of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, has joined Israeli smart lighting company Juganu as Vice President of Connected Solutions. This transition follows over a decade in local government, where Branham significantly contributed to the city’s reputation as a testing ground for innovative urban technologies.
In his new role, Branham will focus on aiding cities across North America in implementing Juganu’s technology, which consolidates various smart city functionalities—including lighting, connectivity, sensors, and edge computing—into a unified street-level device. He emphasizes that the holistic approach offered by Juganu’s platform was a key factor in his decision to join the company.
While in Peachtree Corners, Branham oversaw the installation of 16 of Juganu’s nodes during a pilot program, which enabled the city to rapidly gather new data to enhance maintenance and security in public spaces. His municipal experience began with the city’s incorporation in 2012, holding several leadership roles that drove technology initiatives aimed at attracting innovation.
One of Branham’s notable achievements was the establishment of Curiosity Lab, a 2.4-kilometre corridor for autonomous vehicles and smart infrastructure, which has been pivotal in generating over 2,400 jobs and attracting more than $1 billion in private sector investment. According to him, the project’s success stemmed more from a collaborative mindset than advanced technology, highlighting the importance of partnership and willingness to embrace new opportunities.
Branham believes his municipal background will greatly inform his new responsibilities, particularly in understanding the financial constraints cities face and the need to maximize the output from existing infrastructure. He remains passionate about improving communities, asserting that his move allows him to expand his impact.
Despite his enthusiasm for the new role, Branham acknowledges what he will miss about local government, particularly the direct impact on citizens’ lives. He appreciates the unseen efforts of local government workers who ensure essential services run smoothly.
Peachtree Corners plans to soon post a job listing to fill Branham’s departing responsibilities. The new position will focus on innovation management and serve as Executive Director for Curiosity Lab, but it will not encompass the broader duties of an Assistant City Manager.
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