Bill Oates is the Chief information Officer for the City of Boston, Massachusetts. Oates was named to the Cabinet position by Boston's Mayor Thomas M. Menino in June of 2006. As CIO, Oates is charged with spearheading the City's technology initiatives and is responsible for the delivery of IT services in support of the various city functions.

Prior to joining the City, Oates served as the Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Based in White Plains, NY, Starwood is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world. Named CIO in June, 2000, Bill was responsible for delivery of the Company's global information technology services.

Oates has over 25 years of experience as an information technology professional, rejoining Starwood in 2000 after serving as the founder and principal partner of tcmGlobal Services, LLC, a technology consulting and management practice focused on the travel/hospitality industry. Before that, he spent 18 years with ITT Sheraton Corporation where he progressed through a variety of technology leadership positions.

A graduate of Boston College, Oates is also an attorney and member of the Massachusetts Bar. He received his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in Boston and was recently awarded his LL.M in Global Technology Law. In 1996, Oates was inducted into the hospitality industry's “Technology Hall of Fame” for his vision in applying technology to the business. To date, Mr. Oates is the youngest inductee to this group of twenty-six industry leaders.

Mr. Oates is based at Boston's City Hall. He is married with two children.