Cosgrave, who left the private sector to join the IRS in July of 1998, announced this week that he will depart the agency "to pursue other personal and professional opportunities," the IRS said.

Deputy CIO Toni Zimmerman will serve as interim CIO until a permanent replacement is named, IRS spokesman Anthony Burke said.

As CIO, Cosgrave acted a consultant to Commissioner Charles O. Rossotti, providing advice and guidance on the design, development, implementation and operation of the IRS's nationwide computer and telecommunications systems.

Under Cosgrave's direction, the agency completed the IRS Enterprise Architecture, a business and technology blueprint that will be crucial in the agency's effort to modernize its business practices and the systems. During his tenure, Cosgrave also led several other key efforts, including: the establishment of an agency-wide information systems organization to manage all IRS information systems resources nationwide; the reduction of mainframe operations from 12 to 3 sites nationwide; completion of a Y2K conversion; the establishment of technology standards for hardware and software; and the establishment of the Business Systems Modernization program, the daunting effort to replace IRS' outdated technology with modern systems.

"His leadership and dedication have been crucial to the IRS, helping us successfully reach several pivotal milestones in our efforts to modernize the nation's tax agency," Commissioner Rossotti said, commenting on Cosgrave's departure. "The IRS will miss his leadership. I will miss his friendship. But his efforts will help the IRS for years to come."

Prior to joining the IRS, Cosgrave served as president and chief executive of Claremont Technology Group, an international provider of information technology services.

According to a report by Arlington, Va.-based Tax Analysts' Tax Wire, Cosgrave's next role will be in an information technology position related to the new economy.

-- By Melissa Klein

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