As with anything, inequality in technology can put some people at a disadvantage in their everyday lives and careers. Conquering that digital divide is one of the goals of Independence Township’s Phil Bertolini.
Bertolini serves as Deputy County Executive and Chief Information Officer for Oakland County. His job entails guiding the strategic direction of the county’s technology efforts among other things.
‘My responsibilities include the overall direction of how we use technology to change the way we do business. How we use technology to better serve the citizens and customers of Oakland County,? said Bertolini.
‘For one, I’m responsible for the Wireless Oakland effort, which is our effort to take the entire 910-square miles of the county and bring it wireless internet capability, a portion of which is free of charge to all the citizens, businesses and visitors,? said Bertolini
‘Another part of that project is to provide no cost and low cost PC’s in training to those that are lower income and those that lack a high school education. We’ve found that’s where our digital divide is here in Oakland County.?
Bertolini says Oakland County’s pursuit of technology has increased the efficiency of how the county does business, creating a reengineered business process that’s gaining a worldwide reputation.
‘I like to say ‘We can do more with the resources we have?? and the way we’re able to do that is through technology. A couple years ago, Oakland County reduced its work force by over 200 positions and reduced its budget by $33 million. One way we’re still delivering some of those services is from the enhanced technology we’ve put in place,? said Bertolini.
The county’s reputation even reached Harvard University, where Bertolini and L. Brooks Patterson lectured on Oakland County and project management, as well as executive support for technology initiatives in March of 2005. The workshop was attended by CIO’s around the world. Later that month, Harvard took Bertolini to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to speak to representatives from around the Middle East about eGovernment at the Dubai School of Government.
‘We’re working on a technology agreement between Dubai and Oakland County. Dubai is very advanced technologically and we were there to lecture and meet with Dubai municipality and government officials to work on an arrangement and agreement? It’s an information and expertise exchange,? said Bertolini.
Bertolini started as a participant in an on-line course on eGovernment with Harvard. The professor asked him to be on the Steering Committee of the eGovernment Compass Project of the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the relationship flourished.
While fervently working to expand Oakland County’s technology, Bertolini believes getting the technology is the easier part.
‘I believe technology is the easy part because there are technologies now that will do anything you want them to. The hard part is what are you going to do with it once you get it. I’m a firm believer that the technology doesn’t prove any benefit until its incorporated into the business process and people accept or absorb the technology,? he said.
Bertolini believes the credit for Oakland County’s technology initiatives goes to L. Brooks Patterson who brought him aboard and has been a mentor.
‘He’s a visionary. We’ve been able to change government. I measure success on the services we provide because we’re not a profit making organization,? said Bertolini.
‘I believe we’re on the cutting edge, always looking for the next best thing to provide our citizens,? he continued.
Bertolini started working with Oakland County in 1988 as an appraiser. In 2001, Patterson appointed him the Director of Information Technology. Prior to that, he served as the Administrator of Equalization. Patterson appointed him Deputy County Executive in January 2005.
Bertolini graduated from Michigan State University in 1985 with a degree in telecommunications, an experience he says is invaluable, although he did not always use the telecommunications aspect of his degree until his 2001 appointment.
‘Students have to watch out for themselves. You have to come out with a degree. That degree will open doors. How much you use it will depend on what you put in it. Your experiences carry with you,? he said.
‘I used the communications aspect of my degree more than anything. Young people today could learn that. You have to be able to communicate in this world to move forward. That was a valuable tool for me coming from MSU,? said Bertolini.
The university continues to play a major role in his life and family. As a member in the Spartan Marching Band, Bertolini played the sousaphone at venues across the country including the third game of the 1984 World Series at Tiger Stadium.
Bertolini started playing the trumpet in the fifth grade until fate stepped in.
‘After an accident the trumpet broke and we couldn’t replace it so my dad told me to grab anything that was available to play, so I ended up with the sousaphone,? said Bertolini.
The Big Ten college football experience caught on with Bertolini’s wife Kathleen and their two sons, Bradley 9, and Steven, 7. Bradley takes drum lessons and wants to be a drummer for the MSU Marching Band. The Bertolinis traveled to East Lansing this weekend where Bertolini played in the Alumni Band throughout the game day against Hawaii. Bertolini has played in the band every year since he graduated.
The Bertolini boys also have tremendous interest in computers, not surprisingly, as they are developing aptitudes at an early age.
‘With some things it’s important to be exposed to it early on. Exposure to technology will do nothing but benefit them? Computer skills are a main requirement to succeed into today’s work environment,? said Bertolini.
Bertolini attributes much of his success to Kathleen, who is a reading specialist in West Bloomfield.
‘She has been there to push me along and been there for me when I need her.?
He said her parents, who escaped from Budapest, Hungary during the 1956 revolution, worked hard their whole lives and taught her a great work ethic.
‘She definitely got the work ethic from her parents. She worked 40 hours a week to get through college? She never backs down from work. She still gets excited the first day of school. She loves what she does,? said Bertolini.
‘You have both of us in pretty demanding situations, but she still makes time to be with the family as we both try to do,? said Bertolini.
Besides cheering the MSU band and football team, the Bertolinis enjoy skiing together. Bertolini also enjoys golf.