Fletcher Previn, son of renowned composer Andre Previn and actress Mia Farrow, serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Cisco. With a unique background in the arts and entertainment industry, Previn transitioned into the world of technology, holding significant roles at IBM and Cisco, where he now leads the company's IT strategy and operations.
Who is the CIO of Cisco?
Fletcher Previn, the current Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Cisco, has a unique background that combines the arts and technology. Born into a family with strong artistic roots, Previn initially pursued a career in the entertainment industry, working on movie sets and interning for late-night shows. However, his passion for technology eventually led him to work at Silicon Valley startups and later at Walmart, where he held various positions, including systems administrator, systems engineer, and engineering manager.
Before joining Cisco, Previn served as the Global Chief Information Officer at IBM, where he led a global team of more than 12,000 IT professionals. As CIO at Cisco, Previn is responsible for driving simplification and business transformation efforts, empowering the company's 140,000 employees with the necessary systems, infrastructure, and technical capabilities to create secure global IT at scale. His leadership style emphasizes daily check-ins with his team, maintaining alignment of goals and objectives, and the ability to compartmentalize and quickly shift focus between different tasks and meetings.
Work History
- Board Advisor at bp: 2023 - Present
- SVP & Chief Information Officer at Cisco: 2022 - Present
- SVP & Chief Digital Officer at Cisco: 2021 - 2022
- Chief Information Officer at IBM: 2017 - 2021
- Vice President, Workplace as a Service at IBM: 2015 - 2017
- Director, Workplace and Collaboration Solutions at IBM: 2014 - 2015
- EA to Global IBM CIO at IBM: 2013 - 2014
- Manager, Digital Sales Technology at IBM: 2011 - 2013
- IT Architect at IBM: 2006 - 2011
- Manager, Enterprise Systems Management at Walmart: 2004 - 2006
- Manager, Windows Operations at Walmart: 2003 - 2004
- Systems Engineer at Evans Analytical Group: 2000 - 2002
- IT at Accurel Systems: 2000 - 2001
- Intern at Late Show with David Letterman: 1996
Education History
Fletcher Previn's educational background began at the Collegiate School for Boys, a prestigious private school known for its rigorous academic program. After completing his secondary education, Previn went on to attend Connecticut College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. This foundation in liberal arts and social sciences provided Previn with a well-rounded education that would later complement his career in technology and leadership.
When did Fletcher Previn join Cisco?
Fletcher Previn joined Cisco in March 2021 as the Senior Vice President & Chief Digital Officer before transitioning to the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) in September 2022. Since joining Cisco, Previn has been with the company for over a year, focusing on driving simplification and business transformation efforts, and empowering the company's employees with the necessary systems, infrastructure, and technical capabilities to create secure global IT at scale.