On October 19, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), honored former NASCIO President and South Dakota Chief Information Officer Otto Doll with its prestigious Meritorious Service Award during its 2005 Annual conference, in San Diego, CA.

NASCIO created this award to spotlight a state CIO who has exemplified outstanding service, advocacy, and leadership in state government. Meritorious Service Award recipients consistently champion the vision, mission and principles of NASCIO.

"Otto Doll is truly deserving of the NASCIO Meritorious Service Award. He is a leader with vision who produces fantastic results! Some of his many outstanding accomplishments include wiring all of our schools for technology with inmate crews, connecting all of those schools with broad band internet access, and creating a statewide digital communications network for all of our law enforcement, first responders, hospitals and state agencies to use together. In this newly flattened, globalized world economy, our students and our state will be able to compete because we have a unique advantage. His name is Otto Doll," said South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds.

"Otto has not only held a variety of leadership positions within NASCIO, but he has been willing to assist at any level to further the association's objectives. He has been a tireless advocate for the less populous states, sharing his vision and proficiency in the IT arena. Otto's tenure with NASCIO and the state of South Dakota is a testament to his great leadership," said Tom Jarrett, NASCIO 2004-2005 President and Chief Information Officer, Delaware.

Doll is one of the nation's longest tenured state CIOs. In addition to serving as NASCIO's 1999-2000 president, Doll has led numerous committees. Most recently he chaired NASCIO's 2004-2005 Nominations Committee and served on the 2004-2005 Executive Committee.

NASCIO gives the Meritorious Service Award on an annual basis to a state chief information officer nominated by their state CIO peers and determined by the NASCIO Executive Committee.

NASCIO represents the state chief information officers from the 50 states, five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Members include cabinet and senior level state officials responsible for information resource management. Other IT officials participate as associate members and private sector representatives may become corporate members.