Clint Reno Keeps ES Connected After 31 Years of Service to the Community

Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Whether it’s protecting citizens or protecting city networks, Clint Reno has been a steadfast presence in Excelsior Springs for over 30 years, and he’s not slowing down yet. Earlier this month, he celebrated 31 years as an employee of the City of Excelsior Springs, dedicating his knowledge of technology and criminal justice to the community he loves. 

Reno began working for the city in April 1994, when he was hired by the Excelsior Springs Police Department (ESPD) as a police officer. During his 27-year law enforcement career, he worked his way up through the ranks to patrolman, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain, and was eventually appointed Chief of Police in 2016. In July 2021, Reno retired from his law enforcement role, and in January 2022, Chief Gregory Dull took over leadership of ESPD. 

Although he had finished his career with ESPD, Reno explained he had always had a passion for everything technology. Even when he was on the police force, he said, “I have always been intrigued by all things technology.” This passion led him to take a position with the city as the sole onsite information technology (IT) director immediately after his retirement in 2021.  

Although considered retired, Reno continues working for the city of Excelsior Springs, usually around 30 hours per week. He currently oversees network systems, cybersecurity, technology upgrades, IT contracts, and the overall maintenance of the city’s technological infrastructure. His responsibilities include addressing technology needs, including computer, phone, and network-related issues, for the various city departments, including the police department, fire department, public works, the community center, and the Hall of Waters. 

When Reno began, he said his work was a partnership with the city. He explained that he spoke to City Manager Molly McGovern about filling an on-site IT support need upon his retirement. At the time, the city used a third-party vendor, E-Net, for its technology needs.  The city readily accepted Reno’s offer. Nonetheless, he noted, E-Net, run by Eddie Seasholtz, still helps Reno with complex issues, as he considers Seasholtz not only a mentor but a friend who helps him resolve the more complicated technical issues when they arise. 

Yet for Reno, working within the IT department has always been a passion, “I’ve always enjoyed building computers, but it’s interesting that when I was in college, we only had four or five computers in the library for the whole campus to share.  We just had to take turns using them.” 

Even so, Reno added that his career in law enforcement strengthened his skills within the IT realm. Previously, he managed the technology at ESPD during the digital evolution of law enforcement.  He regularly helped implement technologies that were emerging in the law enforcement arena.  “We started with old video home system tape (VHS) dash cameras in the police vehicles, but eventually upgraded to DVDs, then on to the digital video and wireless technologies still in use today.” Reno also mentioned that when the police department moved into the digital age, he helped incorporate much of the new technology for the men and women he worked alongside, like implementing laptop computers in patrol vehicles. 

Since then, technology has continued to advance, and Reno’s knowledge of technology has followed. As he stated, “I just love it.” 

For now, Reno intends to continue sharing his self-taught technological skills with the city. He is currently working to phase out older computers with the Windows 10 platform, as “Windows 10 won’t be supported any longer starting in October,” he said. 

He elaborated, noting that the old computers are being phased out, and he already has 97% of the city’s desktop and laptop computers upgraded to prevent them from being vulnerable to harmful viruses. He also emphasized the importance of his role as he acts proactively within the city to maintain network security and maximum network uptime for each department. 

As for the future, he plans to continue his career in the technical field for “at least” another decade. His overall goal is to achieve a career with over 40 years of investment in Excelsior Springs.  He added that he approaches his role within the city as “I’m not here to be average, I’m here to be epic.”