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Patrick Finn

No Longer at Cisco

Patrick S. Finn is Senior Vice President of Cisco’s U.S. Public Sector Organization. He leads Cisco’s sales, growth strategy and integrated business plans for U.S. Governments (state, local and federal), educational institutions at all levels and public healthcare. His team works to transform how the public sector protects, serves and educates by leveraging the network and technology to connect, innovate and lead. Finn’s Public Sector team focuses on innovations in areas including data centers, video collaboration, cloud computing, cybersecurity and secure mobility to create solutions that range from connected classrooms, to connected justice and connected government. Their efforts enable Cisco to lead in the transformation to a more advanced and effective public sector in the areas of pervasive video, cloud computing and cybersecurity.

Finn’s integrated team of more than 2,000 employees works closely with multiple Cisco groups to manage the development and deployment of technology solutions that enhance national defense, secure information, streamline citizen services, enrich education systems and maximize efficiency for healthcare providers. With more than 30 years of technology and business experience, Finn is a strong advocate for the public sector applying information technology products and service solutions to increase collaboration, innovation and productivity.  The U.S. Public Sector is an important part of Cisco’s business because it generates approximately $5 billion in annual revenue, but more importantly because it leads in the focus around veterans, STEM education and cybersecurity.

A 17-year veteran of Cisco, Finn has also led various organizations including the U.S. Federal Organization, Cisco’s Vertical Markets for the U.S. and Canada (which included state and local government, education, healthcare, sports and entertainment, retail and real estate),  and  New York Metro Area.  Immediately following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Finn was part of a team of Cisco and partner organizations who tirelessly  supported New York City customers, including government, first responders, and financial service institutions.

Prior to joining Cisco, Finn was responsible for Pepsi Cola International’s worldwide infrastructure, consulting, and network applications. He also held various sales leadership positions at IPC Information Systems and IBM Corporation.

Finn serves on the Cisco Foundation Board, which provides guidance on Cisco’s philanthropic investments. He is a board member of the USO and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.  He is also a member of ACT-IAC and AFCEA; and is actively engaged with veterans’ organizations to assist returning veterans in securing employment.  He is a past member of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering and various emerging technology companies Board of Advisors.

Finn often represents Cisco in various forums to speak about leadership and technology enablement in business and government.  In 2013, FCW magazine honored him with a “Federal 100” award in recognition of his work in promoting technology in the federal government.

Finn holds a Master of Science degree in telecommunication and computer management from NYU-Polytechnic University, and a Bachelor of Science in management information systems from Pace University.

Articles

June 25, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Supporting Veterans in Transition to Civilian Life

2 min read

Within the next five years, more than 1 million armed forces personnel are expected to transition from U.S. military to civilian life. As our veterans return from deployments such as Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them will need new jobs to support their families – and additional training to get those jobs. Unfortunately, our veterans […]

June 24, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Cisco Networking Academy Fields Dream Team for Cisco Live!

1 min read

Today, I had the opportunity to speak with students of the Cisco Networking Academy. These students were selected to run the network at Cisco Live this year and run the Cisco Network Operations Center (NOC). An innovative information and communications technology (ICT) education program, the Cisco Networking Academy provides a million students worldwide with the […]

June 25, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Government Roundtable at Cisco Live!

1 min read

Tomorrow at Cisco Live!, I will be moderating a roundtable discussion featuring four government thought-leaders: Matt Benefiel from the Ninth Circuit Court Florida Rob Fields from the Florida Department of Highway Safety Jorge Pazos from the City of Melrose, Massachusetts; and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Darrin Gibson from the Alabama National Guard During the roundtable, […]

May 20, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Lending a Helping Hand to Miriam’s Kitchen

1 min read

I am excited to share the news of Cisco’s new partnership with Miriam’s Kitchen in Washington, D.C., near my home. Miriam’s Kitchen is committed to ending homelessness in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area by providing homeless persons with access to meals, counseling, clean clothes, medical care, permanent housing, and by ensuring they have the necessary […]

April 3, 2013

GOVERNMENT

National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic 2013

1 min read

There are so many things that make me proud of Cisco and its employees, but one of the most gratifying is the work we do to support our nation’s heroes – our warfighters and veterans. This week, nearly 400 of those heroes will take to the slopes, ride snowmobiles, try scuba diving, and enjoy rock […]

March 25, 2013

GOVERNMENT

CyberPatriot Program Showcases Future of Cybersecurity Workforce

2 min read

March 14 – 15 marked the National Finals Competition of CyberPatriot, the largest high school cyber defense competition in the United States. With students crowded around laptops, routers and clocks counting down, teams were given a business scenario. Told that they were newly hired IT professionals managing the network of a small company, they were […]

March 4, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Telework Week: A Public Sector Success Story

1 min read

March 4 marks the beginning of the third annual Telework Week, a week-long effort to get public sector agencies, companies and individuals to pledge to telework. Once again, Cisco is proud to be a platinum sponsor of this worthwhile event. Last year, more than 71,000 people – 94 percent of whom were federal employees – […]