Texas Association Selects IT Director for Innovations Award

Kim Weatherford, deputy director of Information Technology for the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (PRS) has won the Dave England Award, which recognizes individual excellence in information technology in a state agency or institution of higher education.

Weatherford received the award in August at the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communication (TASSCC) summer conference.

Weatherford, who joined PRS in March 2000, was recognized for implementing a tele-work solution that has reduced caseworker turnover and increased productivity. By the end of 2003, about 4,000 of the agency's 7,000 computer users will be able to access their work computers from home. PRS administers the state's Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Child Care Licensing, and Prevention and Early Intervention programs.

Prior to that, Weatherford was with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), where he served as director of Applications Development and director of Information Technology. While at TWC, Weatherford managed the redesign of the agency's Benefits System, which prints about 6 million checks worth more than $2 billion each year. He also implemented the Workforce Information System of Texas (TWIST), which earned national recognition as one of the first one-stop systems developed in the country.

The award is named in honor of Dave England for his years of service to data processing in Texas and recognizes those who follow his example in providing outstanding information services leadership not only to a single agency, but also to TASSCC and others in the state over many years. In 1998, the agency was recognized by TASSCC for its Judicial Web site.