Illinois Technology Association Awards its Spotlight Award to Centro's CTO Virgil Bistriceanu

Technology veterans and rising-stars gather to celebrate
 vitality and success of Illinois’ technology community


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chicago, IL – April 8, 2008 – The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 CityLIGHTS Awards.


ITA presented the awards on Thursday, April 3 at the CityLIGHTS Awards Gala at Union Station.  A record-breaking more than 700 executives from across Illinois attended the sold-out event to celebrate the state’s burgeoning technology community and honor the innovation and success powered by the following industry organizations and executives.


The 2008 CityLIGHTS Award winners are:


  • CityLIGHTS Award: Given to an individual that has made a significant impact on the Illinois technology community.
    • Eric Olson and Frank Gruber, founders, TECH cocktail
  • CEO of the Year Award: Given to the CEO who has driven his company to new heights in the past year.
    • Dick Costolo, CEO, FeedBurner
    • Robert McCullen, chairman, president and CEO, Trustwave
  • Rising Star Award: Given to the company that has emerged from its start-up phase to distinguish itself in the technology marketplace.
    • Model Metrics
  • Newcomer Award: Given to the company that has the strongest potential to emerge from its start-up phase and distinguish itself in the technology marketplace.
    • The Point
  • Spotlight Award: Given to the CIO/CTO for leadership and outstanding contributions in the application of information technology.
    • Virgil Bistriceanu, CTO, Centro
  • Lighthouse Award: Given to the company that best represents the region’s growing stature as home to world-class information technology companies.
    • NAVTEQ


At the event, ITA also recognized 50 talented students enrolled in Illinois academic institutions and selected leadership development programs who have a keen interest in a career in the technology industry, as part of its recently launched annual Fifty for the Future (F4F) program.  Selected by a panel of judges, the students in the F4F program are given exclusive access to C-level executives from the technology industry. ITA members will work with the students and universities to provide advice, support and mentorship throughout the year.


“On behalf of the ITA, we’d like to extend our appreciation to all of those who made this year’s event the most successful yet,” said Fred Hoch, ITA president.  “We are overjoyed about how well-received the CityLIGHTS program has been by the industry, and are thrilled to honor the incredible accomplishments of Illinois’ thriving technology community.”


Sponsors of this year’s CityLIGHTS Awards include Presenting Sponsor Grant Thornton; Platinum Sponsor Judge Technical Staffing; Gold Sponsors Aladdin Knowledge Systems, FastRoot, and McGuireWoods; and Event Sponsors Authentify, Chase Bank and Lantern Partners.


About the ITA        
The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) represents the interests of a diverse membership of more than 450 companies in Illinois that create, deploy and utilize information technology as a core part of their organization. By connecting members with industry peers and participants, providing the latest strategic information, market research and critical market insight and by promoting key thought leaders to raise visibility and gain a greater market awareness and presence, ITA is focused on building and developing the Illinois technology community through collaboration. Additional information is available at http://www.illinoistech.org/.

Contacts:
Fred Hoch, President, ITA, +1.312.435.2805, fhoch@illinoistech.org
Lee Winklepleck, Senior Account Executive, Ruder Finn, +1.312.329.3978, winklepleckl@ruderfinn.com