The city of Phoenix has been awarded the CIO 100 award, which recognizes companies and organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in the use of technology. This year's award theme is the Bold 100, which recognizes those executives and organizations who embrace great risk for the sake of great reward.

Phoenix was recognized for its leadership in developing the Phoenix Regional Wireless Network, a wide-area digital radio network which will be used primarily by public safety personnel. The system allows participating agencies to communicate during emergency situations, something that took on even more significance following the events of Sept. 11.

“The Bold 100 honorees stand out because they have dared to take on risk for the chance of reward in an extremely conservative business climate,” says Abbie Lundberg, editor-in-chief, CIO magazine. “The executives leading these organizations are smart, inventive and determined - I offer them my warmest congratulations.”

“Phoenix has always been willing to take on the tough projects,” said Mayor Phil Gordon. “Public safety is our number one priority and we’re honored to be recognized for our efforts with the Phoenix Regional Wireless Network.”

The new radio network is designed to improve communication between emergency personnel both within the city of Phoenix as well as among 17 surrounding cities and towns. The network spans the Valley from Buckeye to Apache Junction and from Daisy Mountain to Ahwatukee. During critical incidents, police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel will be able to use the system to talk to one another and coordinate their response. The network has become a model for how other cities around the country will address the need for interagency communications. So far Phoenix police and four other municipal departments are using the system. The radio communications systems used by the cities of Mesa, Apache Junction and Gilbert also are fully integrated with the Phoenix system.

“Even before Sept. 11, we recognized the importance of creating this type of regional communication system,” said Deputy City Manager Andrea Tevlin. “In addition to taking the lead on the project, we committed one-third of our IT budget to this effort.”

“Receiving an award like this is quite an honor. It is a real testament to the numerous city employees whose expertise and dedication made it possible,” said Acting Chief Information Officer Kristine Sigfridson. “Assuming risk is always part of implementing technology, being able to mitigate that risk is where real innovation occurs.”

The 2005 CIO 100 award is presented by CIO magazine. For more information, visit www.cio.com.