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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

November 8, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Cybersecurity: Where are the Biggest Threats?

2 min read

Cyber Crime: Identifying the Sources of an Everyday Threat Cyber crimes, cyber thievery, and cyber warfare have become an everyday reality. In fact, security breaches are so prevalent that, according...

October 11, 2013

GOVERNMENT

National Cyber Security Awareness Month

1 min read

This month, we are marking the tenth anniversary of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). The goal is to raise awareness and educate Americans about the importance of...

October 10, 2013

EDUCATION

Educause: Bringing Together Technology and Education to Invest in Our Future

1 min read

It’s amazing to think about the way a traditional classroom operated only a few years ago.  As Renee Patton recently pointed out in her blog post, there were rules, there were barriers, and they were all kept within the confines of an educational institution.  As technology has advanced, those rules have been challenged, barriers overcome, […]

October 10, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Despite budget constraints, spending on cyber security set to increase according to Cisco study of government IT decisio …

2 min read

While the shutdown challenges in the federal government over the past week have been top-of-mind, a recent Cisco survey has discovered that when operations resume, overall budget constraints are seen...

September 26, 2013

GOVERNMENT

NLEAFCF Presents Cisco with Corporate Hero Award

3 min read

First responders play a critical role every day in the communities where we live, work and play; and I am incredibly proud of Cisco’s commitment to thank, honor and support these heroes and their families. On Monday, Cisco was recognized by the National Law Enforcement & Firefighters Children’s Foundation (NLEAFCF), as our Chairman and CEO, […]

August 20, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Veterans See Improved Access to Healthcare

1 min read

It’s truly amazing to think about the possibilities that advances in technology have unlocked.  No longer do the barriers of time and distance have to limit the ability for anyone to access education, healthcare and government services.  We can now connect with the push of a button. And often, it allows us to help the […]

June 26, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Florida Shines with Connected Justice

1 min read

The verdict is in. The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida’s innovative interpretation services are revolutionizing the legal system throughout the Sunshine State. On a public sector roundtable today at Cisco Live!, the Ninth Circuit’s Trial Court Administrator Matt Benefiel shared insights on the Florida court system and the challenges the state faced in providing […]

June 25, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Touring the Future VA Medical Center at Lake Nona during Cisco Live!

1 min read

While at Cisco Live! in Orlando, Fla.,  I had the pleasure of leading a tour of the future Veterans Administration (VA)  Medical Center at Lake Nona, along with Dr.  Kenneth Goldberg, the center’s new chief of staff. This amazing facility will be the first new VA hospital to be built in the U.S. in nearly […]

June 27, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Florida Department of Highway Safety at Cisco Live!

2 min read

This week at Cisco Live!, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles spoke on a government customer roundtable. Rob Fields, the CIO for the Department provided insight into the challenges that he faced with legacy equipment, the organization’s technology vision and plans for the future. The Florida Department of Highway Safety had purchased lowest […]

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 – […]