Partnering With the CIO: The Future of IT Sales Seen Through the Eyes of Key Decision Makers

The Commissioner of Synergy

Paul J. Cosgrave serves as commissioner of the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT). A native New Yorker, Cosgrave has devoted a career to using the power of technology to make organizations more effective.

After more than 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, including three years as CIO of the Internal Revenue Service, Commissioner Cosgrave is now responsible for managing the world’s largest and most complex municipal IT service operation.

DoITT provides service and support for the vast archipelago of agencies that compose city government. As the department’s commissioner, one of Cosgrave’s primary jobs is selling the idea of centralized, integrated IT services across the city’s vast bureaucracy. Says Cosgrove:

City government is a very complex structure. There are some 80 different agencies, offices, boards and authorities, each with its own mission and its own traditions. My chartered role at DoITT is bringing some synergy to the process. Basically, we’re trying to make city services transparent, accountable and accessible to all New Yorkers.

DoITT operates the 311 system, which essentially functions as a colossal 24/7 help desk for anyone with non-emergency questions about municipal services in the five boroughs of New York City.

“311 is our landmark,” Cosgrave says with obvious pride. “311 takes all the city’s customer-facing responsibilities and pulls them together under one ...