NASCIO Honors Exceptional Contributions in State Government
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) presented the State Technology Innovator Award to three deserving public servants during the 2016 NASCIO Annual Conference in Orlando.
The NASCIO State Technology Innovator Award honors outstanding individuals who have made contributions to advance state technology policy through the promotion of best practices, adoption of new technologies and advancements in service delivery. Nominees must be an employee, elected official, appointed official or other appointee representing state government. Nominations were gathered from NASCIO members as well as non-members. The following are the recipients of the 2016 NASCIO State Technology Innovator Award:
The Honorable Governor John Hickenlooper, State of Colorado
Governor John Hickenlooper has helped solidify Colorado as an unprecedented leader in technology efforts. Three large initiatives where Governor Hickenlooper has elevated technology for Colorado, and proven that the state is a national leader, are Google Apps for Government, the Colorado Universal Application, and cybersecurity. Just months after his election, Governor Hickenlooper added the title “Secretary of Technology” to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) role to lead the state’s IT economic development efforts.
Dr. William A. Hazel Jr., Secretary, Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Virginia
Dr. Bill Hazel has a long track record of using technology to improve people’s lives. As an orthopedic surgeon in Northern Virginia, where he was an advocate for using medical technologies to serve his patients, and now as Secretary of Health and Human Resources, where he uses his position to drive positive outcomes for Virginians; from ending Veterans Homelessness, to improving access to mental health services, to integrating individuals with disabilities into the community, to enabling children and families to thrive.
Delano Squires, Director, Connect.DC, District of Columbia
As the leader of Connect.DC — Washington, D.C.’s premier digital inclusion initiative – Delano Squires launched the Mobile Tech Lab (MTL) to leverage the power of technology within the District’s inadequately served communities. The MTL directly advances the District’s digital inclusion technology policy agenda, hosting digital and financial literacy classes, providing access to laptops and Wi-Fi, and ensuring all citizens, regardless of internet access, can utilize the District’s online government services.
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