"On behalf of the Kentucky Digital Government Summit, it is my honor to announce the winners of this year's Best of Kentucky Technology Awards. It is our goal to recognize the most important and creative achievements in Information Technology in the state. All levels of government were eligible for these awards which were presented during the Kentucky Digital Government Summit on April 22, 2008. The 2008 winners truly represent the best of Kentucky technology"
Jack Mortimer
Director of the Kentucky Digital Government Summit
2008 Best of Kentucky Technology Awards
Leadership Award
Visionary Award
Winners (tie): Lorna S. Jones, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services; and Timothy C. Ferguson, Northern Kentucky University.
This award is given to a government manager or official who has demonstrated vision, leadership and support of technology initiatives. The nominee should have a clear record of driving the use of technology, a demonstrated ability to identify future needs and a passion for serving the public. This category welcomes nominees regardless of whether they work inside or outside an information technology department/division
Development Awards
Best Application or Initiative Serving a Public Organization's Business Needs
Winner: Career Opportunities System - Carla Hawkins and Barbara Barnes, Personnel Cabinet.
The 'Best Application or Initiative Serving a Public Organization's Business Needs' award is given to individuals or teams that have designed, developed and deployed new applications or improved existing systems, or have implemented new IT initiatives that assist the organization in handling its day-to-day work.
Best Application Serving the Public
Winners (tie): e3.ky.gov - Ann Riggs and Gail Hiley, Education Cabinet; Stuart Johnson, Sharon Buchanan and Jill Thompson, Council on Post Secondary Education and Telecheck - David Bruce and Chip Quarles, Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The 'Best Application Serving the Public' award is given to individuals and teams that have designed, developed and deployed applications or improved existing systems that directly deliver services more efficiently and effectively to the public. For this award, the public may be defined as citizens, contractors, or vendors.
Best IT Collaboration Among Organizations
Winner: RegWatch - Craig Kelly, Economic Development; Steve Dooley, COT; and numerous other state agencies, boards, and commissions.
The 'Best IT Collaboration among Organizations' award is given to individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated special efforts to facilitate inter-organizational technology projects, governance initiatives, datashare initiatives and/or integration initiatives that lead to or facilitate greater cooperation between organizations, government agencies or business units. An outstanding application and/or collaborative effort between agencies or jurisdictions are the basic qualifiers for this award.
Most Innovative Use of Technology - Government
Winner: KVETS (Kentucky Vital Events Tracking System) - Kathy Frye, Gargi Chatterjee and Dr. Kraig Humbaugh, Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
The 'Most Innovative Use of Technology - Government' award is given to individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated a creative, unique and resourceful use of technology in Government. This category is open to any government agency at the state and local levels, no matter how large or small.
Most Innovative Use of Technology - Education
Winner: Kentucky Internet2 Initiative - Allen E. Lind and Miko Pattie, Council on Postsecondary Education; Doyle Friskney, University of Kentucky; Priscilla Hancock and Tom Sawyer, University of Louisville; Ann Riggs, Education Cabinet; David Couch, Department of Education; Rene True, ConnectKentucky; Brian Kiser, COT; Mike Clark, Kentucky Educational Television; Vince Marletta, Windstream; and Sheri Rose, AT&T.
The 'Most Innovative Use of Technology - Education' award is given to individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated a creative, unique and resourceful use of technology in Education. This category is open to any educational entity or agency K-12 and Post-Secondary.
Best Online Services - Commonwealth Government
Winner: Kentucky Mine Mapping - Marvin Terry, Bryan Bunch, Tony Sturgill, Steve Pigg, John Hiett and Tom Schubert, Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.
The 'Best Online Services - Commonwealth Government' award is given to individuals and/or organizations that demonstrate the spirit of digital government by providing the most efficient, effective and creative online services to their customers/constituents. Commonwealth-level agencies and entities of any size are welcome in this category, including the education sector.
Best Online Services - Local Government
Winner: Wireless Mesh Network - Brent Graden, City of Prestonsburg and Rene True, ConnectKentucky.
The 'Best Online Services - Local Government' award is given to individuals and/or organizations that demonstrate the spirit of digital government by providing the most efficient, effective and creative online services to their customers/constituents. Local government jurisdictions of any size are welcome in this category, including the education sector.
Best Security Initiative
Winner: Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Sandeep Kapoor, Richard Chapman and Melba Story, Office of Information Technology.
The 'Best Security Initiative' award is given to individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated a creative, unique and resourceful application of technology furthering the goal of security. This category is open to any government agency at the state and local levels, no matter how large or small.
The 2008 nomination process is closed and submissions are no longer being accepted
Any questions about the awards or the nomination process should be directed to Brian Kiser at 502-564-1635.