TMCnet News

Herb Strauss Receives Janice K. Mendenhall Spirit of Leadership Award from ACT-IAC
[October 27, 2015]

Herb Strauss Receives Janice K. Mendenhall Spirit of Leadership Award from ACT-IAC


The American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC (News - Alert)) today announced that it has awarded Herb Strauss, Deputy Associate Commissioner for Systems and Deputy Chief Information Officer of the Social Security Administration, the prestigious Janice K. Mendenhall Spirit of Leadership Award for his significant contributions to the federal information technology (IT) community. Strauss was among 10 individuals recognized for their leadership and commitment to public service at the ACT-IAC 2015 Executive Leadership Conference (ELC) in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.

Established in 2001, the Janice K. Mendenhall Spirit of Leadership Award commemorates the life of long-time civil servant Janice Mendenhall, an exceptional leader who was known for her dedication to mentoring others and strengthening government and industry relations. The award is the highest tribute bestowed upon an ACT-IAC member.

ACT President Margie Graves and IAC Chair Ted Davies presented Strauss with the award in recognition of his long history of leadership and commitment to creating a more effective government to serve the nation. Herb Strauss has spent his entire career advising business and government organizations on how to use information technology as a strategic asset to enhance mission performance. His professional service began with a 20-year career as a U.S. Marine officer where he served in a number of positions. He is a decorated combat veteran of the Persian Gulf War. Upon leaving the Marines he held senior executive positions with a number of companies, including American Express, Robbins-Gioia and Gartner. In 2013 he was appointed to his current position with the Social Security Administration. Throughout his career he has demonstrated a commitment to the highest professional standards and a dedication to creating a more effective and innovative government. He is a strong supporter of collaboration and has been an active member of ACT-IAC where he has had several leadership positions. His accomplishents and standards are in the best tradition of the Mendenhall Award.



Graves and Davies also presented three individuals with the ACT-IAC Leaders Award in recognition of the exceptional contributions they have made to ACT-IAC and the government IT community during the past year. Wayne Davis (CenturyLink (News - Alert) Government) was recognized for many years of service to ACT-IAC and the government technology community. His contributions included four years on the IAC Executive Committee where he played a leadership role in reshaping ACT-IAC conferences as the preeminent collaborative events in the government technology community. Former ACT President Rick Holgate (Gartner) and former IAC Chair Dan Chenok (IBM (News - Alert)) were also recognized for their exceptional leadership of ACT-IAC. As a result of their engagement ACT-IAC has established new levels of excellence in serving the government.

The ACT-IAC Individual Contributor of the Year Award - Government was presented to Johan Bos-Beijer (General Services Administration). Lou Kerestesy (GovInnovators) received the ACT-IAC Individual Contributor of the Year Award - Industry. Both individuals were recognized for their significant contributions to ACT-IAC over the past year.


The ACT-IAC Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Catherine Ives (Citizant) and Derry Goberdansingh (E3 Federal Systems). This award honors an individual who is relatively new to ACT-IAC and, in a short time, has already demonstrated active involvement across a range of activities in the organization.

The Ginny McCormick New Heights Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions as volunteers - working quietly and effectively towards a more effective government. In 2015 the award was presented to two individuals Steve Krauss (GSA (News - Alert)) and Bob Clarke (Monster).

"One of the characteristics that sets ACT-IAC apart from other organizations in our community is the engagement and passion of so many exceptional volunteers. The individuals who have been recognized this year represent the best of the best," said ACT-IAC Executive Director Kenneth Allen. "Through their dedication, their investment of personal time and their commitment to the idea that collaboration produces better outcomes, we are all winners in our quest to create a more effective and innovative government."

About ACT-IAC - Advancing Government Through Collaboration, Education, and Action

ACT-IAC is the premier public-private partnership in the government IT community and an example of how government and industry work together. ACT-IAC is a nonprofit educational organization created to advance government through collaboration and education. The organization provides an objective, vendor and technology-neutral and ethical forum where government and industry are working together to develop innovative strategies, effective and efficient solutions and best practices. Headquartered in the Greater Washington, D.C. area, ACT-IAC also has chapters in Pacific region (based in San Diego) and the Rocky Mountain region (based in Denver).

Learn more about our organization and how to become a member at https://actiac.org or call (703) 208-4800. Connect with ACT-IAC on Facebook, Twitter (News - Alert) and LinkedIn.


[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]