SACRAMENTO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/11/07 -- Public agencies and leaders in California will be honored for their outstanding information technology (IT) innovations and contributions to the region by the Center for Digital Government at its 2007 Best of California awards program on Dec. 12 in Sacramento.

"Public agencies in California are coming off of a very ambitious and productive year, which the Center for Digital Government is delighted to recognize with this year's Best of California awards," says Paul Taylor, chief strategy officer for the Center for Digital Government. "The field was the most competitive to date, reflecting a strong and diverse body of work from state government agencies. Leaders stepped up, project teams delivered on time, on budget and often against the odds, and the operations people made it work on the ground. Agencies sought out ways to help each other solve tough problems, build and share applications and deliver services more efficiently. The winners are being recognized for what they did with what they know -- public policy and administration, process reengineering, software development, technology deployment and operations -- but more importantly, they did so in a way that represents the finest traditions of public service."

This year's Best of California is the seventh annual celebration where the Center, a division of e.Republic, Inc., is recognizing the dedication to craft and commitment to public service in California's public sector IT community.

Winners in each category of the 2007 Best of California awards program are:

                 Leadership Awards:

Demonstrated Leadership in Management of Information Technology:
Steve Reneker, chief information officer, City of Riverside

Demonstrated Leadership in Solving Business and Policy Problems through
 Technology
Linda M. Dippel, director, Contra Costa County Department of Child Support
 Services

Demonstrated Leadership in Project Delivery
Ron Ohling, data processing manager II, CA Employment Development
 Department

Demonstrated Excellence in Rapid Project Delivery
ExpressJet Airline Launch Team, Sacramento County Airport System

Demonstrated Excellence in IT Operations, Support and Service
J6 Staff, California National Guard
KC Roestenberg, director, Business IT Shared Services, Orange County

Demonstrated Leadership in Solving Business and Policy Problems through
 Security Technology
Secure Wide Area Network Consolidation Team, CA Department of Health Care
 Services


                 Project Excellence Awards:

Best Application Serving Organization Business Objectives
-- Agile Payment System, CA State Controller's Office
-- MESH Network, City of Ripon
-- Web-based Solid Waste Information Management System (SWIMS), Los
    Angeles County Department of Public Works

Best Application Serving the Public
-- Online Inmate Information and Jail Visit Scheduling System, Santa
    Clara County
-- DMV Service Enhancements Online: Vehicle Registration Online Renewal;
    E-Mail Alert Service; Internet Change of Address; DMV Safety Videos
    on YouTube; Senior/Teen Web sites

Best Application Serving Multiple Jurisdictions or Organizations within
 a Jurisdiction
-- Boomerang: State of California Retirees Job Connection, CA Franchise
    Tax Board and State and Consumer Services Agency
-- California WebTools, eServices Office, Department of Technology
    Services, the Information Organization, Usability, Currency, and
    Accessibility (IOUCA) Working Group, and State Webmasters
-- CaRES -- California Compensation and Restitution System, CA Victims
    Compensation & Government Claims Board
-- Welfare Client Data Systems (WCDS) -- CalWIN, Consortium of 18
    California Counties

Most Innovative Use of Technology
--  Los Angeles Regional Transportation Management Center, Caltrans
     District 7, California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Metro
--  Mobile Automated License Plate Reader Technology, City of Sacramento
     Police Department
--  SmartRiverside Digital Inclusion, City of Riverside

About the Center for Digital Government

The Center for Digital Government is a division of e.Republic, Inc. (http://www.erepublic.com/), the nation's leading publishing, research, event, and new media company focused on information technology for the state/local government and education markets.

Contact:
Janet Grenslitt
Phone: 916.932.1363
E-mail: Email Contact