Michael John

About Michael John

I help organizations align technology with business goals to accelerate growth, reduce risk, and enable operational excellence.With 20+ years leading transformative IT initiatives across healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, and the public sector, I bridge the gap between deep technical expertise and strategic leadership. I drive scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions that prepare organizations for growth, transformation, and M&A events.As a former systems administrator turned CIO and Enterprise Architect, I bring a hands-on understanding of technology and an executive view of strategy. My experience includes leading enterprise-wide ERP implementations, multi-cloud migrations (AWS, Azure), ISO 27001/27701 compliance programs, and designing domain-driven architectures for global operations.Whether building IT roadmaps for SMBs or architecting complex, matrixed enterprise environments, I focus on measurable outcomes: increasing resilience, optimizing cost structures, enabling innovation, and strengthening cybersecurity posture.I am actively open to leadership roles such as CIO, VP of IT, Enterprise Architect, or Fractional CIO, particularly in organizations undergoing transformation, scaling operations, or preparing for acquisition.Specialties:• Enterprise Architecture (TOGAF, ArchiMate)• Digital Transformation & Business-Aligned IT Strategy• Cloud Architecture (AWS, Azure)• Cybersecurity & IT Governance (ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR)• Vendor & Contract Management• Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCDR)• Agile, DevOps, and Product-Centric Environments• Executive Leadership & C-Suite Engagement• Global Team Development & Delivery Excellence

Experience

1. Deputy Commissioner for Technology

   NYS Office of Information Technology Services

   Sep 2025 — Present

   Senior technology executive serving as the CIO for a New York State agency, responsible for enterprise IT strategy, modernization, cybersecurity alignment, and 24x7x365 operational service delivery. Lead technology direction, investment decisions, and digital transformation initiatives that support mission-critical programs and statewide priorities.Key Leadership Areas:• Strategic IT Leadership: Set long-term technology strategy, modernization goals, and digital transformation roadmaps across complex agency environments.• Portfolio & Investment Oversight: Direct major IT programs and multi-million-dollar technology portfolios, ensuring value, security, and adherence to statewide standards.• Operational Excellence: Provide oversight for critical systems, infrastructure, applications, networks, and service delivery supporting state operations.• Executive Partnership: Act as the chief technology advisor to agency Commissioners and executive leaders, driving alignment between business priorities and technology outcomes.• Cybersecurity & Risk: Ensure cybersecurity, compliance, data protection, and risk management practices align with NIST, NYS standards, and enterprise directives.• Enterprise Architecture & Standardization: Advance statewide architecture, interoperability, data standards, and platform modernization.• Cross-Agency Modernization: Identify shared services, cloud, data, and AI opportunities to improve operational efficiency and constituent service.• Resource & Vendor Strategy: Guide staffing, sourcing, vendor management, and resource allocation to support strategic initiatives.This role functions as an agency assigned CIO, combining technology strategy, enterprise architecture, governance, cybersecurity leadership, and operational oversight across one of the nation’s largest public-sector IT environments.

Education

• University at Buffalo

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration and Management, General

  2012 — 2015

• Carnegie Mellon University

  CIO - Executive Education and Certification Program

• University at Buffalo

  BA, Communication

  2006 — 2010