Walsh names new finance commissioner, Smart City manager

About Cannizzaro

Cannizzaro has been working for the city since 2020, having started as director of accounting before being appointed deputy commissioner of finance in 2022, Walsh’s office said.

“Michael Cannizzaro takes over as finance commissioner with a deep knowledge of Syracuse’s finances and a determination to further strengthen the City’s fiscal condition,” Walsh said in a news release. “He has a strong track record of improving the City’s financial processes and increasing the accuracy and timeliness of our reporting. Michael is also a well-respected leader in our finance department and across city government.”

Cannizzaro, a certified public accountant, has more than 12 years of experience in finance and accounting. He has worked for major private companies and for regional and national accounting firms. As director of accounting with the city, Cannizzaro was instrumental in enabling Syracuse to eliminate material weaknesses in its annual audit in 2021, the first time in more than a decade, the mayor’s office said.

Cannizzaro graduated from Henninger High School and is also a graduate of Cornell University.

He succeeds current finance commissioner Brad O’Connor, who is returning to a position in the private sector. O’Connor served the city for nearly four years, first as its deputy commissioner of finance and then as commissioner of finance from 2020-2023.

“I’m very grateful to Brad O’Connor for his service to the City of Syracuse. Under his leadership, Syracuse made major progress on its path to fiscal sustainability. Brad guided the City through the fiscal uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, helped build the City’s fund balance to a responsible level, and played a critical role in improving the outlook the big credit ratings agencies have on Syracuse,” Walsh contended. “We are fortunate he brought his talents to city government.”

About Scipione

As Smart City manager, Scipione will develop data-driven, smart-city infrastructure and programs, Walsh’s office said.

Scipione will work with other city departments such as the office of analytics, performance and innovation (API) and information technology to bring together a “diverse set of government, academic and private-sector partners.” 

Reporting to the director of strategic initiatives, the role plays a “key part” in the Syracuse Surge strategy — Walsh’s strategy for “inclusive growth in the New Economy.” 

Scipione will support the development and implementation of local digital-equity plans, — including the community-broadband program — to address the “digital divide” in Syracuse. He will monitor the effectiveness of projects using Internet of Things and other “smart” systems to enable “more efficient and equitable” city operations. 

He will also ensure projects maintain alignment with data, privacy, and surveillance-related policies and plans.

Scipione previously worked in a technical capacity at Caterpillar, Inc. and at SIDEARM Sports. In his previous roles, he developed cloud-based infrastructure, automated deployment tools, and managed digital-product launches.

Scipione earned his master’s degree in information management from Syracuse University, in addition to a certificate of advanced study in data science and his bachelor’s degree in information management and technology. 

He has since returned to the university as an adjunct professor in the School of Information Studies, which is also known as the iSchool. He is also a 2022 graduate of FOCUS Greater Syracuse’s Citizens Academy and a founding member of the Salt Springs Neighborhood Association, Walsh’s office said.