"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."
This year's Best of California is the seventh annual celebration where the Center, a division of e.Republic, Inc., is recognizing the dedication to craft and commitment to public service in California's public sector IT community.
Winners in each category of the 2007 Best of California awards program are:
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, CA 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, CA Department of Health Care Services
Project Excellence Awards:
Best Application Serving Organization Business ObjectivesAgile Payment System, CA 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 of California Retirees Job Connection, CA Franchise Tax Board and State and Consumer Services Agency
California WebTools, eServices Office, Department of Technology Services, the Information Organization, Usability, Currency, and Accessibility (IOUCA) Working Group, and State Webmasters
CaRES - California Compensation and Restitution System, CA Victims Compensation & Government Claims Board
Welfare Client Data Systems (WCDS) - CalWIN, Consortium of 18 California Counties
Most Innovative Use of Technology
Los Angeles Regional Transportation Management Center, Caltrans District 7, California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Metro
Mobile Automated License Plate Reader Technology, City of Sacramento Police Department
SmartRiverside Digital Inclusion, City of Riverside