The Arizona Technology Council in partnership with the Arizona Department of Commerce today announced the winners of the 2009 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) awards. Companies, individuals and academic organizations that demonstrated excellence were given Arizona’s highest honor for technology innovation on November 19, 2009, at an “Academy Awards” style awards ceremony held at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 West Adams Street in Phoenix.
“Throughout the turbulent economy of 2009, innovation became more important than ever,” said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. “It is essential that we celebrate the creative spirit of Arizona by recognizing and honoring the state’s most innovative thinkers. We congratulate all the winners and extend our thanks for their part in advancing Arizona as a top-tier technology state.”
The winners and finalists were selected by a committee of experts independent of the Council.
The winners in their respective categories are:
Individual Award Winners:
- OneNeck IT Services People's Choice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Craig R. Barrett, former Intel CEO/Chairman of the Board, in recognition for his efforts to educate others on the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards globally and for his commitment to education in America.
- Chairman's Award: Ron Schott, executive emeritus, the Arizona Technology Council. Schott serves on the University of Arizona College of Business MIS Industry Advisory Council and the University of Arizona College of Engineering Industry Advisory Council. He is also chairman of the Arizona Telecommunication Information Council (ATIC) and is involved in various other community-related activities.
- Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year: Chuck Vermillion, chief executive officer and a founder of OneNeck IT Services Corporation. OneNeck has been voted the No. 1 mid-market service provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Hosted Application Management for the past three years, as well as the top mid-tier service provider of Data Center Management. This consistently profitable and growing business exudes Chuck’s core values of accountability, dependability and trust.
- William F. McWhortor Community Service Leader of the Year: General Ronald E. Shoopman, president, Southern Arizona Leadership Council. As Brigadier General for the United States Air Force, he was entrusted not only with the lives of the people under his command, but also with the highest levels of responsibility for protecting and preserving our security as a nation. In more recent years, Ron has brought these qualities to his work as a community leader, regularly piloting efforts that build and fortify the community’s economic competitiveness, supporting technology business and industry development.
Company Award Winners: