NEWS ROOM | Press Releases
For immediate release: April 30, 2009
Contact: Shawn Karrick
NASCIO Presents Senator Carper with National Technology Champion Award
(Baltimore, MD) – Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) awards The Honorable Thomas R. Carper the association’s 2009 National Technology Champion Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promote sound public sector information technology policy.
“Cyber security is one of the top challenges facing the smooth operation of government today,” said Gopal Khanna, NASCIO President and Minnesota State CIO. “Although all levels of government are threatened by attacks to our digital infrastructure, this quiet danger is relatively unrecognized in the halls of leadership and among the public. It takes a champion like Senator Carper to not only understand the consequences, but communicate the need for vigilance and action. We in the government technology community are grateful for his efforts.”
As chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Federal Financial Management Subcommittee, Senator Carper has demonstrated that he is “champion” by elevating the dialog on IT issues, publicly recognizing cyber as a critical national security issue and urging more attention in order to fully protect our nation from emerging cyber threats. NASCIO and its members recognize that such leadership is key to advancing citizen service, information sharing and good government, and we applaud Senator Carper for his longstanding commitment to these efforts.
NASCIO presents the National Technology Champion Award on an annual basis to acknowledge pioneers who promote excellence in both technology and good government. Nominees may be an elected or appointed official representing federal, state or local government, an academician, author, journalist, or an individual from the non-profit or private sector. However, current state CIOs and individuals currently employed by NASCIO corporate member companies are not eligible to receive this award.
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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.
Please contact Dianne Adams, NASCIO Programs and Education Coordinator, at (859) 514-9167 or dadams@amrms.com, or contact Shawn Karrick, NASCIO Membership and Communications Coordinator, at (859) 514-9156 or skarrick@amrms.com.
AMR Management Services provides NASCIO's executive staff. For more information about AMR visit www.AMRms.com/.
