The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has awarded former Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer its 2004 National Technology Champion Award. Geringer, now with Esri, received the honor April 26 during NASCIO's 2004 midyear conference in Chicago, Illinois.

Each year NASCIO recognizes outstanding leaders who support sound technology policy and practice. In giving the award, NASCIO acknowledged Geringer's critical role in guiding the advancement of citizen services, information sharing, and good government.

"Governor Geringer's efforts to promote sound information technology policy have had a broad impact beyond his home state of Wyoming," says NASCIO president and Missouri CIO Gerry Wethington. "Geringer realizes the value of technology integration and is one of the champions of GIS and how to integrate it with all of the data necessary to solve state problems. NASCIO is honored to give Governor Geringer this prestigious award."

As a two-term governor and a state legislator, Geringer was a strong advocate for technology not only in Wyoming government but also on the national level. "During his time in office, he championed the benefits of data sharing and enterprisewide solutions," says Jack Dangermond, Esri president, "and as a spokesperson for Esri and the GIS industry, he continues to spread the message of how GIS can bring about more responsive and effective service delivery."

The state of Wyoming has used GIS technology since 1986 for natural resource management and, under Geringer's leadership, expanded its use in other areas such as land and wildlife management, social services, transportation, public health, and environmental monitoring. Geringer says, "The goal of these efforts was to enhance citizen access and put people back in charge of their own government. We worked to increase communication and data sharing between and among various agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, resulting in better management, better decision making, and greater efficiency in government."

As past chair of the Western Governors' Association, Geringer has done extensive policy development work for all levels of education. He promoted the connection of all Wyoming schools to the Internet and to each other. Additionally, he helped the Western Governors University achieve accreditation status and currently serves on the National Academy of Sciences, Mapping Sciences Committee. In his current position with Esri, Geringer continues his work to promote ways to better inform the public and provide for greater involvement by them.

Recently Geringer's activities have been global in nature, including a keynote address at the First Kuwait User Conference hosted by the minister of communications and planning for Kuwait.

For more information, contact Jim Geringer, Esri (e-mail: jgeringer@esri.com).