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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Michael Coakley, 42, of Rockland County, spent the past two decades in the technology industry, but was always interested in transitioning to the public sector. Coakley seized a city opening and began working as White Plains new Information Services (IS) Director Monday.
Im the son of a cop and the brother of a New York City detective. So Ive always had my eye on public service and was hoping at some point in my career, Id be able to head in that direction, said Coakley.
Coakley, who most recently worked for Hearst Magazines, said he has been busy meeting the information services team and assessing how the city hopes to enhance its current technology.
Im evaluating all the technology whether it be public safetys website, or back office stuff like financial systems, document handling, networking and data storage, said Coakley. After a 20 year career in IT, Im still very passionate about technology and how it can be used to drive progress both in business and in civil matters and in peoples personal lives. What I enjoy is evaluating what the existing landscape is and seeing how we can apply technology to achieve certain goals.
Karen Pasquale, senior advisor to Mayor Thomas Roach, said city hall had several goals in mind when selecting a new IS director. Roach hopes to improve internal technology as well as work on making city hall more accessible to the public, according to Pasquale.
How can we make it easier to access the services and programs provided by the city? What information can we provide online to people whether they live here or work here or own a business here? said Pasquale. Utilizing technology towards those ends is one of the mayors overarching goals.
Coakley will earn a salary of $130,000.
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