One of the most unrecognized groups to help make the Austin Innotech trade show as a premier trade show is the Austin Association of Information Technology Professionals. As one of the sponsors, AITP is hosting the award program this afternoon which recognizes the city’s top technology leaders. Last year, the chapter, recognized the following IT professionals:
- Sam Coursen, VP & CIO of Freescale, Austin IT Executive of the Year – Private Sector
- Jim Weatherby, Director of IS, Texas Legislative Council, Austin IT Executive of the Year – Public Sector
- Mike Hoskins, CTO, Pervasive Software, Austin Information Technologist of the Year
- Spiceworks, Austin IT Solution of the Year
Contributing blogger, Matt Scherer, compiled this interview:
Q: Why did AITP take the leadership role in this award recognition program?
Scott Foster: The Austin Chapter of the National Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) has over 50 years of history. We have been leading and educating Austin’s senior technology talent since 1954. About 10 years ago, our AITP Austin leaders recognized the need to highlight local IT talent. There was nothing common to the IT community in Austin for recognizing this group of professionals.
Q: Why is the recognition of technology leadership important to the growth of this sector in Austin?
Scott Foster: When you really think about it, this is a relatively new discipline. You should think about how technology is constantly changing. It has only been in the last 20 years that IT has been considered a strategic discipline affecting all areas of the enterprise and public sector. By encouraging leadership and innovation in the IT space, our organization can only help Austin position itself in technology.
Q: What are your future goals for AITP?
Scott Foster: We want to promote leadership and innovation to help answer the question IT managers constantly ask themselves which is “What can I do to be an asset or improve the bottom line?” It is becoming more and more of a business expectation to the IT competency to have more ownership of customer retention and acquisition.
Hello Austin Startup Blog!
I just moved my startup from San Diego to Austin. While in college in San Diego, I was a member of the student AITP as well as an officer in the organization. It was a great place to meet people and network. I will have to check out the Austin chapter.