Press Release: Inagural State Technology Champion Award
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OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
CONTACTS
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
Wil Alston, 303-917-8059, wil.alston@state.co.us
COLORADO GOVERNOR RECEIVES INAUGURAL STATE TECHNOLOGY CHAMPION AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICERS (NASCIO)
Today the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) awarded Colorado Governor Bill Ritter the association's first State Technology Champion Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to IT in their state.
"Gov. Ritter has been a steadfast IT leader and change catalyst, fostering a sustainable IT improvement that enhances services and benefits for all Colorado citizens," said State CIO, Michael Locatis.
Since Gov. Ritter took office in 2007, he has proved to be a key partner and driver in transforming Colorado's IT infrastructure. This award recognizes Gov. Ritter for being a state leader for the promotion of innovation, excellence, and good government. In just two short years, Colorado has moved from a fractured, uncoordinated, aging, and fiscally wasteful IT environment to a collaborative and focused IT enterprise that has reprioritized critical systems to ensure that Colorado takes advantage of improvements in technology, purchasing, and business processes. Michael Locatis, Colorado State Chief Information Officer, and his dedicated team of IT employees across the state are working in coordination with their private sector partners to implement a research-backed phased approach to IT optimization and are working quickly and successfully towards modernizing and improving service delivery while simultaneously reducing costs.
"NASCIO is pleased to recognize Gov. Ritter with this inaugural award," said NASCIO President Stephen Fletcher, State of Utah CIO. "Gov. Ritter has a keen awareness that technology enables change, cost-savings to the state, and better delivery of services to citizens. The Governor, along with state Chief Information Officer Michael Locatis, has worked diligently to move Colorado toward effective and innovative IT solutions."
Nominations were gathered from state and corporate members as well as partner organizations and the broader NASCIO community. NASCIO will present the State Technology Champion Award on an annual basis to acknowledge state leaders who promote innovation, excellence, and good government. Nominees must be an employee, elected official, appointed official or other appointee representing state government. Those working under contract with private sector firms are not eligible for consideration. The State CIO is not eligible for this award.
NASCIO is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The primary state government members are senior officials who have executive level and statewide responsibility for information technology leadership. State officials who are involved in agency level information technology management may participate as state members. Representatives from other public sector and non-profit organizations may also participate as associate members. Private sector firms may join as corporate members and participate in the Corporate Leadership Council. For more information about NASCIO visit www.nascio.org.