FRANKFORT, Ky.–The Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT) presented the Second Annual “Best of Kentucky” Awards at the Kentucky Digital Summit, April 23-24, at the Embassy Suites in Lexington.

The summit, co-sponsored each year by the COT and Government Technology Magazine, recognizes outstanding individuals and programs that have made information technology contributions to the public sector. Each of the following peer-nominated award winners was picked from over 50 nominees: 

• IT Champion Award—Major Alecia Webb-Edgington, Kentucky Office of Homeland Security;
• Visionary Award—Glenn Caldwell, Mayor, Williamstown, Kentucky;
• Demonstrated Leadership in Management of Information Technology—Dave Sallengs for eKasper;
• Best Application Serving a Public Organization’s Business Needs—Mine Safety & Licensing System Inspection, Department of Natural Resources;
• Best Application Serving the Public (tie)—Health Care Information Center, Cabinet for Health and Family Services; Learning Now Online Consortium for Accelerated Learning, Kentucky Community and Technical College System;
• Best IT Collaboration Among Organizations—Kentucky Educational Network, Education Cabinet, Council on Postsecondary Education, and Education Standards Board;.
• Most Innovative Use of Technology (Government)—e-Warrants, Unified Criminal Justice Information System, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, and Administrative Office of Courts;
• Most Innovative Use of Technology (Education)—Kentucky Postsecondary Education Data Portal, Council on Postsecondary Education;
• Best Online Services (Commonwealth Government)—Get Healthy Kentucky, Cabinet for Health and Family Services;
• Best Online Services (Local Government)—Fayette County Online Property Tax Portal, Kathy Witt, Fayette County Sheriff;
• Best Security Initiative—Real Time Digital Surveillance, Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice; and
• Best Business Continuity Initiative—University of Louisville Converged IP Network.

“Today’s winners are noteworthy examples of how technology is enabling efficiencies and improving the operations of government business,” said COT Commissioner Mark Rutledge. “All of these winners should be commended for their devotion to public service and improving government operations by embracing technology.”

The highest honor of the day, the IT Champion Award was given to Major Alecia Webb-Edgington for her work on interoperability communications on first responders.  In addition to the IT Champion Award, she was also recognized by Gov. Ernie Fletcher in a proclamation read to her by Rutledge. 

For more information on these awards, please visit the “Best of Kentucky” Awards Web site at www.centerdigitalgov.com/bestof/index.php?id=61.

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