2007 Best of Texas Award Winners Announced

The Center for Digital Government will honor selected public agencies and leaders for their outstanding information technology (IT) innovations and contributions at the 2007 Best of Texas awards on Oct. 23.

"This year's Best of Texas awards reaffirm what we have known for so long: Texas' governments are among the most innovative in the nation," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. "2007's winners have proven, yet again, the tremendous leverage that technology can provide to strengthen the good work of government."

The Best of Texas awards program was established to salute IT professionals and local government organizations for their dedication, hard work and contributions in the state of Texas. Winners are selected based on a set of criteria, including collaboration between agencies, innovative use of technology and improvement of services to citizens or state employees.

Best of Texas Awards Winners -- 2007

Leadership Awards

Visionary Award for State, County and City Government Leaders:

• Robert Stigers, IS administrator, Houston Public Works and Engineering Department
  

Demonstrated Leadership in Advancing Technology to Satisfy Business Objectives:

• Marcia Brown, manager, Austin Citywide Information Center
  

Demonstrated Excellence in Management of Information Technology:

• Kelly Smith, assistant superintendent for technology services, Northside Independent School District, San Antonio
  

Demonstrated Excellence in Project Delivery:

• Arlethia Dupree, IT project manager, city of Fort Worth
  

Demonstrated Excellence in Project Collaboration:

• Peter E. Collins, CIO, city of Austin and chair, Texas Radio Coalition
  

Demonstrated Excellence in IT Operations, Support and Service:

• Ken Woods, director of information technology, Anderson County
  

Project Excellence Awards

Best Technology Solution Serving Organization Business Objectives:

• From a Legal Pad to a Scanner, Harris County
• Work Management and Notification System, city of Garland Water Utilities Department
• HoustonONE Project, city of Houston
  

Best Technology Solution Serving the Public:    

• iCommunities, North Central Texas Council of Governments
• Texas Legislature Online, Texas Legislative Council
  

Best Collaborative Project across Multiple Jurisdictions:

• Federated Identity Management, University of Texas System
• Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan Development, Texas Radio Coalition
  

Best Sustainable Value:

• Intelligent Transportation System, city of Arlington
  

Most Innovative Use of Technology:

• Kiosk Environment for Community Care Clinics, city of Austin