
The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards were announced April 8, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person June 4.
Next is Amir Capriles, chief revenue officer at Granicus, and a finalist in the CGO or BD Executive of the Year (Annual Revenue Greater than $100M and Less than $500M) category. In this spotlight, he reflects on key achievements, offers advice for those following a similar path, shares a bit about his personal background and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024/2025?
2024 and 2025 have been transformative years for Granicus, marked by innovation, strategic growth, and a deepened commitment to helping governments better serve their communities.
One of our most significant milestones was the launch of the Government Experience Cloud (GXC) — a comprehensive platform that unifies engagement, operations, and service delivery. GXC is designed to help governments modernize how they connect with residents, using connected technologies, data-driven insights, and experience services to drive citizen satisfaction, trust, and operational efficiency. It’s a holistic approach to public sector transformation, and it’s already driving and enabling measurable impact.
We also made major strides in AI innovation, holding customer advisory boards to ensure our AI solutions are purpose-built for government. The result is a robust, solution-wide AI/ML architecture embedded across GXC. This includes:
- Government Experience Agent (GXA) – a multilingual, public-sector-trained digital assistant that helps residents and visitors complete tasks and access services quickly and accurately.
- Government Experience Insights (GXI) – a powerful analytics engine that delivers a real-time, holistic view of citizen experience, helping agencies identify friction points and improve service delivery.
- Generative AI Assistants – tailored for government use cases, these tools help automate content creation, summarize data, and personalize communications, all while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security.
On the growth front, we expanded our global footprint through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Our AWS partnership and competency have strengthened our cloud capabilities, while the acquisition of Simpleview has enabled us to serve entire communities — from individuals to small businesses — more comprehensively than ever before.
Together, these achievements reflect our commitment to being a true partner to government — one that evolves with their needs, delivers measurable outcomes, and helps them build stronger, more connected communities.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Our primary focus is on deepening our role as a trusted partner to our customers; meeting them where they are today, and evolving with them as their needs and environments change. In today’s dynamic landscape – whether it’s federal, state and local, or global markets — organizations are navigating unprecedented shifts in technology, policy, and mission priorities. That’s why we’re doubling down on being agile, responsive, and forward-looking in how we deliver solutions.
We’re not just providing technology and services, we’re co-creating outcomes. That means aligning closely with our customers’ missions, understanding their challenges in real time, and ensuring our offerings are not only effective and efficient, but also adaptable. Whether it’s helping federal agencies modernize securely, or supporting local governments in delivering better citizen services and experiences, the principles are the same: partnership, innovation, and impact.
Efficiency and effectiveness remain at the core of everything we do, but they’re no longer just internal metrics; they’re how we measure the value we bring to our customers. As the pace of change accelerates, our ability to stay ahead and help our customers do the same is what will define our success.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
First, understand that there’s no such thing as a straight line. Careers — especially in sales and leadership — are built through a series of pivots, lessons, and opportunities that often don’t follow a predictable path. Embrace that.
One of the most powerful mindsets you can adopt is to run your business like you’re the CEO of it. Own your outcomes. Be accountable. Think strategically. That level of ownership not only drives performance – it builds trust and credibility.
Always be curious. Curiosity is a superpower. Learn from others, ask questions, and crowdsource ideas. The more perspectives you gather, the more value you can bring to your customers. It helps you develop a provocative point of view; one that challenges assumptions and brings insights your customers may not have considered.
Mentorship is also key. Seek it out, and offer it in return. Some of the most pivotal moments in my career came from unique points of view and lessons learned from mentors and mentees.
And finally, practice active listening. It’s not just about hearing, it’s about understanding. When you truly listen, you build stronger relationships, uncover deeper needs, and become a more effective leader and partner.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know?
Most people don’t know that I came to college in the U.S. sight unseen. I grew up in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and in the summer of 1985 — just weeks before the school year started — I made a life-changing decision. I had been accepted to a university back home, but something inside me shifted. I woke up one day and knew I needed to pivot. I called an administrator I had met from Radford University in Virginia, and asked if there was any way he could help me get there. I didn’t have the money, but I had the drive.
With a mix of student loans, scholarships, and grants, I pulled it together. I flew from Santo Domingo to JFK, then to Roanoke, Virginia, and was picked up and driven 45 minutes to Radford; where I finished my application the day before classes started. I was 17 years old, had never visited the school, and had no idea what to expect. It was a far cry from the bustling city I came from — Southwest Virginia is not Santo Domingo – but that leap of faith shaped everything.
That experience taught me to trust my instincts, embrace uncertainty, and move forward without overthinking. It’s a mindset that’s stayed with me throughout my career.