Surveys and Awards

Sixteen of New York's most innovative, tech-savvy state and local government leaders and agencies have been selected by the Center for Digital Government and Government Technology to receive their prestigious Best of New York award, an annual award that recognizes excellence and outstanding contributions in the area of information technology.

Award recipients were selected from entries to the 2006 Best of New York Awards Program. Entries were divided into two categories: Leadership and Project Excellence. Final selections were made based on criteria that included collaboration between agencies, innovative use of technology and the improvement of services to citizens or state and local government employees.

"This years Best of New York Awards are really tremendous," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the Center. "The competition was tough, and we are proud to honor those who continue to strive for excellence in government."

The following Best of New York award recipients will be honored by the Center and Government Technology at a formal awards ceremony hosted by GTC on June 22:

Demonstrated Leadership in Management of Information Technology:

Nancy Mulholland, CIO and Deputy Director of Information & Management Services, NYS Workers' Compensation Board

Demonstrated Excellence in Project Management:

Joseph H. Eaione, Senior Director, Network Services, NYC Dept. of Education

Demonstrated Excellence in Advancing Technology to Satisfy Business Objectives:

Geoffrey C. Astles, County Administrator, Ontario County

Patricia J. Lancaster, FAIA, Commissioner, NYC Department of Buildings

Demonstrated Excellence in IT Operations, Support and Service:

Darlene Dollard, Project Manager, NYS Defender's Association, Inc.

Randy Haas, Field Operations Technical Support, Bethpage District Office, NYS Department of Motor Vehicles

Project Best Advancing Department/Agency Business Objectives:

A Better School Report Card, Wappingers Central School District

Real Time Crime Center, NYPD

Project Best Advancing Service to the Public:

Virtual County Clerk's Office, Suffolk County

Project Demonstrating Best IT Collaboration Among Organizations:

Shared Criminal Justice Data Warehouse, Westchester County

NY IT Workforce Skills Survey, State Chief Information Officers' Council: Human Resource Committee

Commissioners' Dashboard, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of Children and Family Services, Department of Health and Office for Technology

Project Demonstrating Best Sustainable Value:

Digital Orthoimagery Program and Interactive Mapping Gateway, NYS Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination

Most Innovative Use of Technology:

uNYvation, NYS Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research

Special Recognition for Sound Practice in Information Technology Governance and Management:

Virtual IT Project Management Office, NYC Housing Authority

Project Portfolio Management, NYS Department of Taxation and Finance