The organization honored Michael Watson, Virginia’s CISO since 2012, with the Thomas M. Jarrett State Cybersecurity Leadership Award, for his work strengthening cybersecurity defenses, safeguarding residents’ data, implementing zero-trust architecture and advancing staff cybersecurity training. Named in memory of former NASCIO President Tom Jarrett, for whom cybersecurity was a passion, the award is given to state CISOs who have accomplished significant work in the field.
NASCIO recognized nine states with State IT Recognition awards in 10 categories, with the state of Ohio winning twice.
Minnesota was recognized in the Cybersecurity category for the state’s work toward cyber risk quantification, prioritizing possible threats in order to allocate resources to combat them.
Ohio’s ex parte Medicaid renewal process topped the Business Process Innovations category, for “innovation in a loop,” per a news release. The state was also recognized in the Data Management, Analytics and Visualization category, for its Nursing Home Quality Navigator, an online tool that lets residents look at facilities around the state.
North Carolina won in the Digital Services: Government to Business category for its swift modernization of the unemployment insurance tax system.
Massachusetts was recognized in the Digital Services: Government to Citizen category for its Commonwealth Digital Roadmap, which expanded residents’ access to government services through a centralized platform.
Hawaii won in the Emerging and Innovative Technologies category for its Geospatial Decision Support System, which uses geospatial data to help leaders make decisions in areas including disaster response and environmental conservation.
Tennessee triumphed in the Enterprise IT Management Initiatives category for its TennCare Enterprise Tools project that revised the state’s approach to health-care services.
Iowa was honored in the Cross-Boundary Collaboration and Partnerships category for its Setoff Success program, credited with “reforming state finances”; and Georgia was recognized in the Information Communications Technology Innovations category for its Orchard Web Design System, which established a unified state online presence by implementing a cohesive design framework across all government websites.
The State CIO Office Special Recognition went to Michigan for its work in revolutionizing smart benefit systems.
NASCIO honored three public servants with its State Technology Innovator Award, highlighting their contributions to advancing state tech policy and service delivery.
Kathryn Darnall Helms, Oregon’s chief data officer, was recognized for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across state technology and data management policies. Paula Peters, Missouri’s deputy state CIO, was recognized for her integral role in the state’s digital transformation initiatives, including the consolidation of application development teams and the launch of a citizen portal. Washington state’s Chief Technology Officer Nick Stowe was honored for his leadership in AI integration and cloud computing, helping the state embrace emerging technologies while maintaining a secure and accessible IT environment.
Find more information here on these three award winners.
