CIO —

Helen Cousins

Career At financial services companies Barclays Bank and Dun and Bradstreet, and then at media companies Cendant and Dex Media, Cousins showed a relentless focus on improving business processes, which sums up her approach to IT: Reinvent the business model and make money. Judge's view "Makes lasting, strategic impact on both the top line and bottom line. That's what it's all about."

Dana Deasy

Career After breaking IT ground and gaining substantial international experience at Rockwell, General Motors, Siemens and Tyco, Deasy came to BP, where he positions IT as a key lever in support of the company's overall ambitions. Judge's view "Dana's accomplishments span the full spectrum of IT operations in some of the most challenging environments."

Alan Matula

Career In a remarkable 30-year career at one company, including seven years as CIO, Matula has demonstrated a global reach and a penchant for taking on audacious projects--including building an ecosystem of competing vendors--to deliver business benefit. Judge's view "Competitive differentiation and human capital management, both integrated within an overall IT transformation, are indicators of a strategic and highly self-motivated CIO."

Thomas Nealon

Career Nealon's IT leadership roles at Southwest Airlines, Frito-Lay and The Feld Group highlight his specialty of orchestrating transformation at complicated organizations in industries where old practices die hard. Judge's view "A diversified career with repeated success&focusing on solutions that struck right at the heart of those things most important to each company."

Bill Oates

Career Leading IT at Starwood Hotels and Resorts during a time of profound change in the hospitality industry primed Oates for effecting similarly striking changes in the public sector when he took over IT in Boston. Exceeding expectations as the first cabinet-level CIO for the city, he continuously seeks ways to prompt citizens to make their hometown better. Judge's view "A shining example of what private-sector CIOs can do to help government agencies deal with the massive change brought on by advances in technology and rapidly declining budgets."

Stephanie Reel

Career Dedication to healthcare IT at Johns Hopkins and, before that, at North Arundel Hospital/Baltimore Washington Medical Center, signals Reel's passion for using technology to improve lives. Judge's view "Clear dedication to the profession and demonstrated excellence."

Steve Rubinow

Career IT, marketing, innovation and decision-support expertise drawn from positions at Quaker Oats, Budget Rent A Car, Fidelity and NYSE Euronext have led Rubinow to head IT at FX Alliance, a foreign exchange technology provider. He understands how to use disruptive technology to produce enviable business advantage. Judge's view: "Clearly one of the most innovative and transformational CIOs ever."

Tim Theriault