Tom Tyrrell

The Illinois Senate confirmed Tom Tyrrell as the Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) on Thursday, April 30, 2015. Tyrrell brings nearly 40 years of combined experience in the military, public and private sectors to head the agency.

“The Department of Central Management Services’ ability to be the trusted provider of products and services at the highest quality and best value to state agencies is more critical today than ever before, and I am honored to be confirmed by the Senate to lead the agency at this critical time,” said Tyrrell. “I look forward to working with Governor Rauner and members of the General Assembly toward the transformation of a more effective, more efficient, and more transparent state government.”

Prior to joining CMS Tyrrell served as the Chief Operating Officer of Chicago Public Schools where he oversaw large cross functional projects and selected daily operations for the nation’s third largest school district, which educates 400,000 students; employs 42,000 teachers and support staff; and operates with a budget of more than $5 billion.

Tyrrell spent three years in the not-for-profit sector as the Executive Director and CEO of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum where he oversaw the transformation of the well-respected, but underutilized museum, into a state-of-the art educational facility.

He was also Senior Managing Director of Business Services for Cantor Fitzgerald, LLP/BGC, where he oversaw the development of strategic projects designed to improve business services performance in Europe and Asia. He also had global management responsibilities for human resources, facilities, marketing and business continuity.

As an entrepreneur, he was a founding partner and Chairman of Via Novus Capital, a Connecticut based IT company focused on the Health Care sector. VNC provides revenue cycle consulting and recovery services for health care providers.

Tyrrell is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served our country for 26 years, retiring as a Colonel. He served in Commanding Officers assignments for 16 of his 26 years. His staff assignments included strategic planning roles at organizations ranging from Battalion level through the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  He also served as the Director of Strategic Planning & Coordination for the United Nations Interim Mission in Kosovo. Prior to that, he was the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.