Vice President of Technology and Infrastructure
Mike Finnel is an innovative higher education IT executive with nearly 25 years of progressive technology experience and over a decade of senior leadership driving enterprise IT infrastructure, digital transformation, and technical operations. Currently serving as the Interim Vice President CIO of Technology and Infrastructure at Rio Salado College, he oversees institutional technology strategy, network and systems infrastructure, security related initiatives, enterprise applications, and end-user support. Prior to his current role, Finnel served as the Interim Chief Information Officer at GateWay Community College and spent a decade as the Director of Information Technology at Rio Salado College, serving as a key strategic advisor on emerging technologies, risk mitigation, and operational continuity.
A dedicated leader within district-wide governance, Finnel served as chair of the Systems and Server Leadership Group (SSLG) from 2023-25, guiding cross-institutional IT standardization, reviewing enterprise agreements, and establishing best practices. Before his tenure in the Maricopa County Community College District, he managed technical services and network infrastructure at Marquette University, negotiating vendor contracts while implementing ITIL change management frameworks.
Finnel holds a master’s degree in computing from Marquette University and a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, alongside an ITIL Foundation certification in IT Service Management.
Finnel’s leadership philosophy centers on proactive innovation, fiscal accountability, and empowering high-performing teams to deliver secure, resilient, and student-focused IT environments.