EAGAN, Minn., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Minnesota High Tech Association
(MHTA) announced its corporate and individual award winners at the Annual
Laser Awards Banquet, Wednesday, November 17, 1999 at the Radisson South,
Bloomington. Recipients of the awards were those corporations and individuals
that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and growth in the technology
industry. The MHTA has been recognizing the outstanding contributions of both
large and small companies, as well as individuals, in a variety of categories
since 1982. This year's categories included Manufacturing Process, Software
Innovation, E-Business, Leadership, Education, Product, and Fast Track. In
addition, members were invited to visit the MHTA Web site to submit their vote
for the new Member's Choice Web Award, which recognized organizations
demonstrating innovative Internet-based technologies.
"The Minnesota High Tech Association is proud to recognize and honor
dedicated and talented leaders in such an exciting time of growth," said MHTA
President R. Jane Brown. "We look forward to continuing to serve our
membership and Minnesota's technology industry in the 21st Century."
The banquet featured keynote speaker Guy Kawasaki, CEO of garage.com, a
Silicon Valley-based firm that assists technology startups in finding seed
capital using the Internet. Prior to this position, Kawasaki was an Apple
Fellow at Apple Computer. He is also a noted columnist for Forbes, speaker,
and founder of various personal computer companies. Kawasaki was one of the
individuals responsible for the success of the Macintosh computer. In
addition, Kawasaki is the author of seven books including his
latest -- Rules for Revolutionaries.
Award Recipients Include:
Hall of Fame Award
LARRY PERLMAN, CEO, CERIDIAN CORPORATION
Recognized as an individual who has done incredible things for the
Minnesota technology industry, Mr. Perlman is known for taking key
Minnesota-based businesses out of troubled waters. He is also well known for
actively supporting initiatives that help people throughout the United States
workforce succeed on the job through training and development.
Mr. Perlman has received many awards throughout his career including the
Minnesota High Technology Council's Technology in Leadership Award and was
named Employer of the Year by the National Employee Services and Recreation
Association. He has also accepted the Women and Corporations that Make a
Difference Award and received the Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award from the
Women Executives in Government. Mr. Perlman will retire as CEO of Ceridian
Corporation this year.
President's Award
KRIS BURHARDT, VICE PRESIDENT and CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, HONEYWELL,
INC.
Recognized for his dedication as MHTA's 1999 Chairman of the Board, Mr.
Burhardt showed tremendous leadership and dedication in making the year's
Association transitions successful.
Chairman's Award
RICK KRUEGER, CEO, KEYTECH
The Chairman's Award is given to someone who has displayed outstanding
service and dedication to the Association and the industry. Through his
vision and dedication, Mr. Krueger has created great opportunities and
partnerships for the Association. Mr. Krueger was president of MHTA from
1994 - August 1999.
Web Award (Member's Choice Award)
OSMONICS, INC.
Osmonics Lab Store is a sophisticated product selection and e-commerce
site designed to enable scientists and researchers to select and purchase
filter materials and associated laboratory products on-line. This Web site
contains data on over 1000 filter products, and an innovative Filter Selection
Wizard allows scientists to find the filter they need in three different ways.
All product information pages and links are built dynamically from a product
database. The site also provides helpful technical papers, literature request
and technical support forms, and monthly rotating product specials.
Manufacturing Process Award
WEST GROUP
With over 8,000 employees and $1.4 billion in sales, West Group of Eagan
is the leading supplier of information to the U.S. legal market. They have
taken their single largest manufacturing expense and cut it in half by using a
unique system of digital-ultraviolet platemaking known as Computer to
Convention plate (CTcP). With CTcP, the cost-per page is 48% less than with
laser-based systems which makes it a highly attractive alternative.
Software Innovation Award (1-99 employees)
OBJECTFX
ObjectFX designs and markets web-based application solutions that provide
a single interface to a wide variety of data contained in multiple databases
across an enterprise, enabling users to see, analyze and interact with data
visually. The company's solutions are built using its core technologies
SpatialX and SpatialFX Server. Customers include Federal Express, United
Airlines and US West.
Software Innovation Award (for companies with over 100 employees)
NET PERCEPTIONS, INC.
Net Perceptions is the world's preeminent developer of Realtime
Recommendation Technologies. They meet two increasingly critical business
needs: the need to better understand each customer and the need to make each
customer feel better understood. Their products allow major online retailers
to specifically target their merchandise to the individual shopper in real
time. Net Perceptions headquarters are in Eden Prairie and operates offices
in New York, San Francisco, the UK and Tokyo.
E-Business Award (1-99 employees)
PROFIT SOLUTIONS, INC.
Profit Solutions' e-CRM Front Office is a fully integrated customer
relationship management (CRM) suite that allows mid-market organizations to
embrace e-based customers relationship management. Its benefits include a
short learning curve, ease of use and customer data access that is critical
for sales and service.
E-Business Award (for companies with over 100 employees)
FINGERHUT COMPANIES, INC.
E-Commerce is generating a positioning revolution at Fingerhut. Their
award winning customer data warehouse, Eureka! is a powerhouse of information
for 31 million customers containing over 1,500 variables. They are able to
predict what customers want, when they want it and how they like it delivered.
Clients include Wal-Mart, Levi's and eToys.
Product Award
JASC SOFTWARE, INC.
Jasc Software is the proud publisher of "Paint Shop Pro," the complete Web
and digital imaging solution that lets users capture photos from cameras or
scanners, design Web graphics, and print and share photos. With over 15
million users, Print Shop Pro leads retail sales with over 50% market share.
It has won nearly every industry award including PC World Class Award and PC
Magazine Program of the Year.
Fast Track Award
CHARTER SOLUTIONS, INC.
Charter Solutions focuses on "Pride, Passion and Fun." This has led the
company to over 4,200% growth in an 18-month period. Charter Solutions has
the largest EDI practice in the Twin Cities which is their cornerstone for
E-Business. For exceeding their business plan, the entire company took an
all-expense paid trip to Belize in January of 1999.
Education Award
IBM CORPORATION
IBM is committed to developing future high tech workers and has formed
partnerships with major Minnesota universities and colleges. These
partnerships include 350 faculty, thousands of student and countless IBM
employees. IBM works hand in hand with Rochester K-12 grades to develop the
skills needed to pursue future high tech careers.
Individual Leadership Award (1-99 employees)
PAUL TOBIN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, TOBIN, ERDMANN & JACOBSEN
Paul Tobin serves as Executive Vice President at Tobin, Erdmann &
Jacobson. He is recognized as a multimedia and technology expert with
frequent regional and national speaking engagements. Mr. Tobin spear headed
the effort to gain venture capital for TEJ this year to secure a substantial
investment in their future.
Individual Leadership Award (companies with over 100 employees)
DAVID KELLEY, PRESIDENT, ONVOY
David Kelley joined Onvoy in 1989 and has overseen their telecommunication
success. Under his direction, the company has grown from 1 employee to 300.
They own and operate a 100% digital fiber optic network that spans over 2,000
miles in Minnesota and Canada. Mr. Kelley successfully led the effort to
finalize an equity partnership agreement with Soros Funds with a 50
million-dollar investment. Mr. Kelley's 35 years of telecommunications
experience and "out-of-the-box" thinking makes him the logical choice for this
award.
The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) is the largest technology trade
association in the state of Minnesota, representing small, medium, and large
companies across a variety of industries. The MHTA has nearly 20 years
experience with the high tech community and is the most reliable resource for
technology-based companies in public policy advocacy, economic development,
community outreach, and education and training. The MHTA works in partnership
with the American Electronics Association (AEA), representing organizations
that contribute to technology in the state of Minnesota. For additional
information on the organization visit http://www.mhta.org
SOURCE Minnesota High Tech Association
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Related links:
http://www.mhta.org
CONTACT:
Jennifer O'Brien, Director of Communications
of Minnesota High Tech Association, 651-683-3887, Cell
612-242-9657, jobrien@mhta.org
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