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Business of IT Awards

Last Thursday, we celebrated our Business of IT Awards in both our Chicago and Twin Cities locations. Information Technology is at the forefront of all successful businesses in today’s competitive economic climate. The BIT Awards are designed to recognize members of the Chicagoland and Twin Cities IT communities who excel in their field and continue to make a difference not only within their organization but outside as well.  

We would like to extend a warm congratulations to our BIT Award recipients! You can find the award winners for each location, below.

First Annual Business of IT Awards Recipients – Chicago, IL 

Think IT Facilitator of the Year Award: Brian Greenberg, CIO & Partner at Fortium Partners 

The Facilitator of the Year Award recognizes the Think IT executive who consistently goes above and beyond to lead collaborative and productive discussions at Think IT meetings.

Think IT Hall of Fame Award: Karen Kedyszyn, CTO at Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants 

The Think IT Hall of Fame Award recognizes a Think IT member who has been involved with our association for many years, consistently participating in Think IT initiatives and being a shining example of Think IT’s mission to foster professional growth and development.

Most Impactful CIO Award: Diane Randolph, CIO at Ulta Beauty 

The Most Impactful CIO Award recognizes the CIO executive who, through their leadership has created a major business impact through the right blend of staffing approaches, technology environment, and innovation with other leaders throughout their organization.

Most Likely to Become CIO Award: Julie Devine, Director, IT Business Enablement & Project Management Office at Littelfuse, Inc.

The Most Likely to Become CIO Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies exceptional leadership skills, potential, and actively works to strengthen their knowledge of both technology and effective leadership.  

Community Give Back Award: Jeremy Niecikowski, Director of IT Security & Systems Engineering at Peapod 

The Community Give Back Award recognizes someone who gives back to the IT community both financially and with their time. This may include donating to non-profits focused on STEM education, actively participating in Think IT, publishing articles and books, mentoring others, or speaking at conferences, to name a few.

Innovation Award: Steven Lavin, CTO at Redbox 

The Innovation Award recognizes an individual who drove the most innovative project at their organization during 2018.

Barriers to Entry Student of the Year Award: Pati Stravogenis, Project Coordinator at a large credit reporting agency

The Student of the Year Award recognizes the hard work and achievements of a B2E participant who has made the biggest impact on overall project success at their respective client.

Barriers to Entry Pioneer Award: Trina Haley McMillian, Senior IT Director

The Pioneer Award recognizes the company that was the first partner of York to adopt our Barriers to Entry program.

Second Annual Business of IT Awards Recipients– Minneapolis, MN 

Barriers to Entry Outstanding Achievement Award: Xcel Energy 

The Barriers to Entry Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes the company that has adopted the most Barriers to Entry Participants.

Barriers to Entry Outstanding Advocate Award: Kim Kettler, Global IT Leader at Cargill

The Barriers to Entry Advocate Award recognizes an executive who has given their time and support to helping our B2E participants through their mentorship, guidance, and participation on panels.

Barriers to Entry Student of the Year Award: Deynn Hampton, IT Analyst at 3M

The Student of the Year Award recognizes the hard work and achievements of a B2E participant who has made the biggest impact on overall project success at their respective client.

Barriers to Entry Big Picture Award: Dave McGauvran, IT Senior Director, Express Scripts

The Big Picture Award is awarded to the IT executive at the company that has implemented the Barriers to Entry program as part of their holistic approach to strategic resource acquisition.

Resource Acquisition Innovation Award: Bill Trubeck, VP, IT Services and Portfolio Management at Abbott

The Resource Acquisition Innovation Award goes to the IT leader who has gone against conventional wisdom to build a large team of IT resources, resulting in a positive outcome.

 Link to Leadership Alumni of the Year Award: Matt Herrmann, IT Director, Sales Enablement at Medtronic

The Link to Leadership Alumni of the Year Award recognizes an individual who graduated from the Link to Leadership program and has gone on to grow in his or her career, continues to give back to the IT community and actively contributes to further the mission of Think IT.

Link to Leadership Faculty Member to the Year Award: Daniel Gowens, Senior Director, PMO at Prime Therapeutic

The Link to Leadership Faculty Member of the Year Award goes to the IT leader who exemplifies outstanding passion for leadership and education.

Think IT Philanthropic Award: Mike Hedges, CIO at Medtronic

The Think IT Philanthropic Award recognizes the company who has raised the most money for Genesys Works through Think IT’s Link to Leadership and Think IT’s Charity Golf Event fundraising initiatives.

Think IT Advocate Award: Gary Spears, VP of IT at Reemo Health

The Think IT Advocate Award goes to the leader who has portrayed his/her passion for Think IT in many ways. This leader has attended dozens and dozens of Think IT events and has shown an unwavering passion for its mission.

Think IT Facilitator of the Year Award: Tom Butterfield, Executive VP and CIO at TCF Bank

The Facilitator of the Year Award recognizes the Think IT executive who consistently goes above and beyond to lead collaborative and productive discussions at Think IT meetings.

Think IT Hall of Fame Award: Robin Brown, CIO, Protein Group Global IT Lead at Cargill

The Think IT Hall of Fame Award recognizes a Think IT member who has been involved with our association for many years, consistently participating in Think IT initiatives and being a shining example of Think IT’s mission to foster professional growth and development.

Most Impactful CIO Award: Mike McNamara, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Target

The Most Impactful CIO Award recognizes the CIO executive who, through their leadership has created a major business impact through the right blend of staffing approaches, technology environment, and innovation with other leaders throughout their organization.

Most Likely to Become CIO Award: Sarah Nieters, VP IT, Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic

The Community Give Back Award recognizes someone who gives back to the IT community both financially and with their time. This may include donating to non-profits focused on STEM education, actively participating in Think IT, publishing articles and books, mentoring others, or speaking at conferences, to name a few.

Community Give Back Award: Tim Thull, SVP & CIO at Medica

The Most Impactful CIO Award recognizes the CIO executive who, through their leadership has created a major business impact through the right blend of staffing approaches, technology environment, and innovation with other leaders throughout their organization.

The Above & Beyond Award: Karen Marben, Executive Director at Genesys Work

The Above and Beyond Award goes to the executive who is the “poster child” for how we all should think and operate every day of our lives. This person is selfless, always puts others before themselves, and is a true humanitarian!

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and those that sent in their votes.

Be sure to check out photos from each event, here.