Date:  October 26, 2009
Contact: Kurt Weiss, 517-335-0050

Michigan Government Technology Recognized With Awards

Lansing - The State of Michigan was again honored with multiple awards for excellence in information technology at the annual awards ceremony for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) in Austin, Texas.  Thirty finalists from across the country were selected by NASCIO, with four of those programs coming from Michigan. 

The four Michigan programs selected as finalists included:

1.      Government, business and academia collaboration to increase the supply of graduating technology professionals and promote economic growth.http://www.nascio.org/awards/nominations/2009/2009MI2-09%20NASCIO%20XB%20Employee%20attrition%20project%20FINAL.pdf

2.      Certificate of Need (CON) e-Serv program to improve access to health services. http://www.nascio.org/awards/nominations/2009/2009MI4-2009%20Michigan%20NASCIO%20Nomination%20-%20CON%20e-serv%20-%20FINAL%20-%206.3.09.pdf

3.      Standard Desktop Environment to provide a secured desktop solution for state government. 

http://www.nascio.org/awards/nominations/2009/2009MI6-NASCIO%20Mi%20Standard%20Desktop%20Environment%20June%203%202009.pdf

4.      Secure Wireless LAN project that made Michigan the first state government to have a centrally managed enterprise-wide wireless network.

http://www.nascio.org/awards/nominations/2009/2009MI9-Michigan%20NASCIO%202009%20Wireless%20LAN%20Nomination%20v7%20(2).pdf

The Standard Desktop Environment project and the Secure Wireless LAN project were selected by NASCIO as top ten award winners.

"Michigan is using technology to increase efficiency and improve service in state government," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.  "I am proud of the outstanding efforts of our Department of Information Technology, and we are pleased that Michigan's leading role in government technology is being recognized."

NASCIO's Recognition Awards Program is an annual event aimed at finding the most successful information technology initiatives in state government.  State government projects and initiatives from each of the 50 U.S. states were eligible to be nominated.   Emphasis is placed on recognizing those information technology initiatives which exemplify best practices, support the public policy goals of state leaders, assist government officials to innovatively execute their duties, and provide cost-effective service to citizens.  More information about the 2009 Recognition Award Recipients and all of the nominated projects can be found at www.nascio.org/awards.  

"Our standard desktop environment and secure wireless network are just two of the technology projects that put Michigan ahead of the game," said Ken Theis, Director of the Michigan Department of Information Technology and CIO for the State of Michigan.  "We are fortunate to work in a culture where innovation is encouraged and where our partners in state government understand the important role technology plays in serving our citizens and businesses."

About NASCIO

NASCIO is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government.  NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia.  The primary state government members are senior officials who have executive level and statewide responsibility for information technology leadership.  State officials who are involved in agency level information technology management may participate as state members.  Representatives from other public sector and non-profit organizations may also participate as associate members.  Private sector firms may join as corporate members and participate in the Corporate Leadership Council.  For more information about NASCIO visit www.nascio.org.