The California Department of Technology is seeking nominations for its 2018 Champion of Technology Awards.
The awards are given in conjunction with the California State Fair and will be presented on March 21 as part of Agriculture Day.
Two finalists will be selected “for remarkable contributions to California’s technology industry,” either in the Individual Category or in the Project/Organization Category, according to CDT’s blog.
The 2017 winners were Bryan Sastokas, CIO of Long Beach, and Aira, a company that provides technology for the visually impaired.
Sastokas has served in Long Beach as the CIO and director of technology and innovation, earning the city a CIO 100 award. Before that, he was named a Community Champion as CIO of Oakland. He has pushed for digital equity, increased recruitment of millennials and women in tech positions and better cybersecurity.
The contribution to California’s technology can be in agriculture, health, education or other areas, and both public- and private-sector areas are invited to apply. Applications are due by Feb. 23.
