Public agencies and leaders in California will be honored for their outstanding information technology (IT) innovations and contributions to the region by the Center for Digital Government at its 2007 Best of California awards program on Dec. 12 in Sacramento.

"Public agencies in California are coming off of a very ambitious and productive year, which the Center for Digital Government is delighted to recognize with this year's Best of California awards," says Paul Taylor, chief strategy officer for the Center for Digital Government. "The field was the most competitive to date, reflecting a strong and diverse body of work from state government agencies. Leaders stepped up, project teams delivered on time, on budget and often against the odds, and the operations people made it work on the ground. Agencies sought out ways to help each other solve tough problems, build and share applications and deliver services more efficiently. The winners are being recognized for what they did with what they know -- public policy and administration, process reengineering, software development, technology deployment and operations -- but more importantly, they did so in a way that represents the finest traditions of public service."
 
The Winners

Leadership Awards:

• Demonstrated Leadership in Management of Information Technology: Steve Reneker, chief information officer, City of Riverside
• Demonstrated Leadership in Solving Business and Policy Problems through Technology: Linda M. Dippel, director, Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services
• Demonstrated Leadership in Project Delivery: Ron Ohling, data processing manager II, California Employment Development Department
• Demonstrated Excellence in Rapid Project Delivery: ExpressJet Airline Launch Team, Sacramento County Airport System
• Demonstrated Excellence in IT Operations, Support and Service: J6 Staff, California National Guard; KC Roestenberg, director, Business IT Shared Services, Orange County
• Demonstrated Leadership in Solving Business and Policy Problems through Security Technology: Secure Wide Area Network Consolidation Team, California Department of Health Care Services
  

Project Excellence Awards:

• Best Application Serving Organization Business Objectives: Agile Payment System, California State Controller's Office; MESH Network, City of Ripon; Web-based Solid Waste Information Management System (SWIMS), Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
• Best Application Serving the Public: Online Inmate Information and Jail Visit Scheduling System, Santa Clara County; DMV Service Enhancements Online -- Vehicle Registration Online Renewal, E-Mail Alert Service, Internet Change of Address, DMV Safety Videos on You-Tube, Senior/Teen Web sites
• Best Application Serving Multiple Jurisdictions or Organizations within a Jurisdiction: Boomerang -- State