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2026 Info-Tech Awards: Recognizing IT Leaders and Organizations for Innovation and Business Impact

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Info-Tech Research Group’s annual awards program recognizes achievements in IT performance, organizational transformation, and technology leadership across five categories. The 2026 recipients span the public and private sectors, highlighting IT’s role in improving operations, meeting business priorities, and developing future leaders.

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 13, 2026 /CNW/ — Info-Tech Research Group has announced the winners of its 2026 Info-Tech Awards. This year’s program names 68 award recipients worldwide for their achievements in IT leadership, innovation, and organizational performance.

The annual awards program recognizes organizational innovation through the Innovator of the Year category and individual leadership through four distinct Leader of the Year categories: Women Leading IT, IT Transformation, IT Excellence, and IT Impact. The evaluation process draws on diagnostic data, nomination forms, and interviews, with criteria specific to each category.

“IT leaders earn credibility when the value they deliver is clear to the rest of the business,” says Info-Tech Research Group’s Chief Global Services Officer, Hannes Scheidegger. “That can mean stronger service, more effective operations, or a new way to solve a longstanding problem. This year’s Info-Tech Awards winners demonstrate the leadership and follow-through needed to make those improvements happen, and we’re proud to recognize their achievements.”

The Info-Tech Awards spotlight the success and impact of recipients from organizations that vary in size, sector, and operating environment. The program includes North American divisions for large and enterprise organizations and for small and medium organizations, as well as a Global division for recipients outside North America. This year’s winners reflect the international reach of the awards and the contributions of IT leaders and teams across both public and private sector organizations.

2026 Info-Tech Awards Winners
The 2026 award recipients represent multiple industries, including healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and higher education, as well as government and public services. Their recognition spans technology initiatives that address business challenges, measurable improvements in IT processes and stakeholder satisfaction, and leadership that advances women in technology.

Across the five award categories, the winners have demonstrated how effective IT leadership contributes to organizational performance and the continued evolution of the profession.

2026 Innovator of the Year Award
The Innovator of the Year Award recognizes organizations that deliver impactful, technology-driven initiatives to solve business challenges, improve efficiency, and set new standards for innovation.

The following organizations have been named recipients for 2026:

North America – Large and Enterprise DivisionFirst Student (USA)The Regional Municipality of Durham (Canada)General Dynamics Mission Systems (USA)State of Minnesota – Minnesota Department of Human Services (USA)New York Life Insurance Company (USA)North America – Small and Medium DivisionWhatfix (USA)Vituity (USA)tZERO (USA)Datamotive (USA)Forte Group (USA)GlobalECH Inc. (APAC)Lewis Silkin (EMEA)CTM360 (EMEA)South East Water (APAC)

2026 Women Leading IT Award
The Women Leading IT Award celebrates women who demonstrate innovation, inclusive leadership, and mentorship within their organizations and across the broader industry, helping to shape the next generation of leaders.

This year’s honorees are:

North America – Large and Enterprise DivisionAlisha Garrett, Chief Enterprise Strategy Officer, Utah Transit Authority (USA)Priya Nair, Manager of Customer Support and Training, Aspen Tech, an Emerson Company (USA)Priya Udeshi, Senior Director, IT PMO & Chief of Staff, MongoDB (USA)Hina Gandhi, Software Engineering Technical Leader, Cisco (USA)Anh Selissen, Chief Information Officer, Texas Department of Transportation (USA)Robin Alexander, VP, Global Technology Organization, Mattel, Inc. (USA)Sarah Vlasic, VP of Enterprise Data and AI Workforce Productivity, Vertex Inc. (USA)Andrea Savage, Lead Executive, Data Strategy, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield (USA)Dawn Borent, Head of Retirement Technology Transformation, Manulife (Canada)North America – Small and Medium DivisionAnn Mengelson-Clark, Chief Information & Technology Officer, Kuvare (USA)Karen D’Amico, IT Director, DeVry University (USA)Deborah Duran, Data Science Advisor & Director, National Institutes of Health (USA)Lisa Faison, Chief Information Officer, City of Goodyear (USA)Jaya Srinivasan, CISO, M Financial Group (USA)GlobalNeena Goel, Group Vice President – DPO, Comviva (APAC)Radhika Chennakeshavula, CIO, Silicon Labs (APAC)Kerrie Woods, Director, R&D Clinical Informatics Portfolio, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (EMEA)Nthabiseng Mosupye, CITO, Rand Water (EMEA)Liubov Shchigoleva, Chief of Operations, Qualtir (APAC)

2026 IT Transformation Award
The IT Transformation Award recognizes IT leaders who implemented strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals and achieved measurable results using Info-Tech’s CIO Playbook.

The following leaders have earned recognition for their transformation achievements in 2026:

North AmericaSherif Youssef, VP, Enterprise Architect, Cathay Bank (USA)David Blum, Chief Information Officer, United Wheels (USA)Chris LeLeux, Chief Information Officer / GM of IT, Colorado Springs Utilities (USA)Guillermo Garcia, Vice President, Information Technology, TMEIC (USA)George McNulty, Chief Business Technology Officer, State Medicaid CIO, State of Minnesota (USA)Robert Sprinkle, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Florida State University (USA)John Burris, Chief Information Officer, Southeastern Louisiana University (USA)GlobalAlex Bazin, COO and CTO, Lewis Silkin (EMEA)

2026 IT Excellence Award
The IT Excellence Award honors leaders who have demonstrated measurable improvements in IT processes and operational effectiveness, based on progress between assessments in Info-Tech’s IT Management & Governance Diagnostic.

The 2026 award recipients are:

North America – Large and Enterprise DivisionDaniel Christenson, Director IT Infrastructure, Kubota Tractor Corporation (USA)Dr. Monique Sendze, Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, California State University, Chico (USA)Medhanie Tekeste, Chief Information Officer, City of Brampton (Canada)Pierre-Luc Simard, Vice President Information Technology, Premier Tech (Canada)North America – Small and Medium DivisionChad Ulland, Senior Manager, Information Technology & Enterprise Cybersecurity, Minnkota Power Cooperative (USA)Jassi Kaur, Chief Information Officer, Yorkville University (Canada)Ronald McKenzie, CIO/IT Director, Information Technology Services, City of Fort Lauderdale (USA)Eddie Huebsch, Business Solutions, Senior Manager, Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. (USA)Abdoul Kabaou, Chief Information Officer, City of Little Rock (USA)GlobalJosh Bovell, Chief Information Officer, Private Company (APAC)Esteban Remecz, Chief Information Officer, VP Information Technology & Digital, Maxion Wheels (EMEA)Nikunj Mandlas, Chief Information Officer, Department for Child Protection, South Australia (APAC)Barry Wiech, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Hastings Deering (APAC)Mark Bancroft, Head of IT, Ricoh Australia (APAC)

2026 IT Impact Award
The following leaders have been recognized for their achievements in this category:

North America – Large and Enterprise DivisionAJ Grande, Sr. Director, Enterprise Technology, Suns Legacy Partners (USA)Marlen Bogan, Chief Technology Officer, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (USA)Behzad Zamanian, Chief Information Officer, Washoe County, Nevada (USA)North America – Small and Medium DivisionAndrew Harsha, Chief Technology Officer, MSD Lawrence Township (USA)Suzanne Barnes, Chief Information Officer, American Mathematical Society (USA)Clayton von Helf, Information Systems Manager, City of Palm Desert (USA)Troy Cole, Information Technology Director, Montgomery County, Virginia (USA)Jason Frame, Chief Information Officer, Southern Nevada Health District (USA)Global Sean Carritt, Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure NSW (APAC)Artwell Bernard, Chief Information Officer, Bank of Jamaica (LATAM)Nick Garland, Group General Manager, Technology, HUB24 Limited (APAC)Sarah S. Alamri, Senior Officer – IT Strategy & Innovation, Arab National Bank (EMEA)Jacob Johnson, Head of Technology & Digital, Settlement Services International Limited (APAC)

For more information about the Info-Tech Awards and the complete list of winners, please visit the 2026 Info-Tech Awards page.

To request interviews or expert commentary from Info-Tech’s experts on the awards program or the evolving role of IT leadership and innovation, please contact pr@infotech.com.

About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is the “get things done” partner for over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing leaders worldwide. The fastest growing research and advisory firm, Info-Tech enables leaders to make well-informed decisions and transform their organizations through AI, strategic foresight, step-by-step methodologies, practical tools, industry-leading advisory, and training programs. For nearly 30 years, tens of thousands of private and public organizations have trusted Info-Tech to lead their most important initiatives through periods of change and deliver outcomes that truly matter.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s HR research and advisory services, visit McLean & Company, and for data-driven software buying insights and vendor evaluations, visit the firm’s SoftwareReviews platform.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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Media Advisory: Minister Chartrand to celebrate mining milestone

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October 15, 2026

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THOMPSON, MB, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ — The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, will celebrate an important mining project milestone. A media availability will follow.  

Date: Friday, October 16, 2026

Time: 1:40 p.m. CT

All accredited media are asked to pre-register by emailing Seeon.Smith@manitoba.ca. Details on how to participate will be provided upon registration.

Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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Monarch Metal Launches Build Your Custom Z Clip Configurator for Made-to-Order Aluminum Z Clips and Rails

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October 15, 2026

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Monarch Metal’s new online configurator gives contractors, fabricators, installers, and purchasing teams a faster way to order aluminum Z Clips with the exact length and hole pattern their project requires.

RONKONKOMA, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Monarch Metal Inc., a leading manufacturer of architectural metal solutions for more than 30 years, announced the launch of Build Your Custom Z Clip, a new online configurator that lets customers create custom aluminum Z Clips and rails directly from the product page. Customers choose the profile, finished length, hole size, and spacing they need, review the configuration and pricing, and add it directly to their cart.

They configure it, see the price, and add it to the cart, and most custom orders ship within two days. – Brandon Bingham, CEO, Monarch Metal Inc.

Not every project fits a standard rail length or hole pattern. An installation might require a specific finished length, a different fastener size, tighter hole spacing, or a rail with no holes at all. Build Your Custom Z Clip puts those choices on the product page so customers can configure the rail they need without submitting a quote request or working through specifications by email.

The configurator is available on six Monarch aluminum Z Clip profiles: the MF625, MF375, and MF250, along with the high load capacity MFSTR-0375, MFSTR-050, and MFSTR-075.

Custom rails can be configured from 1.5 inches to 12 feet in 0.125-inch increments for the length of the rail or clip. Customers select one of the available hole diameters for the profile or choose No Holes, then set hole spacing in 0.5-inch increments, with the maximum spacing adjusting automatically to the rail length. The configurator determines how many holes fit the selected rail and centers the pattern so the lead-in at both ends is equal. A live Configuration Summary shows the finished length, hole size, hole count, spacing, lead-in, price per rail, quantity, and total price before the order is placed.

Custom does not always mean a custom part is needed. If a configuration exactly matches a Monarch stock rail that is currently available, the configurator displays a stock option notice with a direct way to select it instead. The comparison checks rail length, hole size, and hole spacing, so a configuration is only identified as stock when the specifications actually match.

“Every installation is different, and a standard rail length or hole pattern does not always fit the job,” said Brandon Bingham, CEO of Monarch Metal Inc. “Build Your Custom Z Clip gives our customers the exact rail their project calls for without the back and forth of a quote request. They configure it, see the price, and add it to the cart, and most custom orders ship within two days. With locations in New York, Texas, and Nevada, we are positioned to get custom rails to job sites across the country quickly.”

Build Your Custom Z Clip is designed for projects that call for something outside the standard options, including panel installations that require rails cut to exact layout dimensions, millwork and cabinetry where custom lengths reduce cutting in the shop or field, architectural applications with specific fastening requirements, and fabrication work where rails are ordered without holes for in-house drilling or machining. Regular stock options remain available on the same product pages.

The configurator is built for both desktop and mobile. On phones and tablets, the layout stacks into a single column and replaces sliders with large plus and minus controls for easier adjustment on a touchscreen. Custom and stock products can be added to the same cart, and the specifications for each custom rail stay with the item through checkout, order confirmation, and order emails.

For more information or to build a custom Z Clip, visit https://www.monarchmetal.com/products/monarch-z-clips/.

About Monarch Metal Inc.

For over 30 years, Monarch Metal Inc. has been a trusted manufacturer of high-quality architectural metal products, custom aluminum extrusions, and panel hanging systems, specializing in aluminum Z Clips, panel mounting systems, and interior wall and ceiling panel solutions. The company is known for precision-engineered components that support efficient installation, long-term durability, and clean, concealed finishes across commercial and architectural applications. Through continuous product innovation and a commitment to quality, Monarch Metal Inc. remains a leading resource for architects, designers, and contractors seeking reliable panel mounting and metal fabrication solutions.

Media Contact

Brian Oakes, Monarch Metal Inc., 1 6317503000, boakes@monarchmetal.com, https://www.monarchmetal.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/monarch-metal-launches-build-your-custom-z-clip-configurator-for-made-to-order-aluminum-z-clips-and-rails-302910097.html

SOURCE Monarch Metal Inc.

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Movin’ on Up: Olympus Announces Sale of MEI

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October 15, 2026

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STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Olympus Partners is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to sell MEI Industrial Solutions (“MEI”) to 26North Partners LP. MEI is a scaled national provider of equipment execution services including rigging, machinery moving, industrial storage, millwrighting, custom crating and integrated logistics. The company serves blue-chip customers across data centers, semiconductors and other industrial end markets, with nearly 2,500 employees across the U.S.

Under Olympus’ ownership, MEI underwent a transformative expansion, growing its footprint from 16 to 30 operating locations and entering key new markets including Chicago, Miami, Providence and Richmond, while quadrupling its indoor storage capacity to over 10 million square feet and executing seven strategic acquisitions. To drive this growth, Olympus partnered with CEO Doug Dayton, who was hired during Olympus’ ownership period, to strengthen the commercial organization, establish a regional leadership structure backed by robust corporate infrastructure and maintain a rigorous commitment to an industry-leading safety program.

“Our investment in MEI was anchored in a strong business model and an exceptionally talented team,” said Sam Greenberg, Partner at Olympus. “By making targeted investments in both leadership and technology, the Company has integrated its geographic footprint into a unified national platform, delivering a level of service quality and consistency unprecedented in the industry. We are incredibly proud of what Doug and the team have built and look forward to following MEI’s next chapter of growth.”

“The MEI team executed exceptionally well, capturing substantial market share in high-growth end markets while rapidly launching new services to meet evolving customer needs,” added Dave Cardenas, Managing Partner at Olympus. “Crucially, they achieved this expansion while maintaining an industry-leading safety record. We couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with Doug and the entire company.”

“The growth MEI has experienced over the past three years is a testament to the extraordinary people across our organization and our strong partnership with Olympus,” said Doug Dayton, CEO of MEI. “They’ve supported us in making the investments necessary to become a true industry leader while staying grounded in the values that have always made MEI successful: safety, accountability, and delivering for our customers. I’m grateful for their confidence in our team and excited to build on this momentum with 26North as we enter our next chapter of growth.”

The Olympus team included Dave Cardenas, Sam Greenberg, George Swenson, Marty Durkin, and Tanaya Bhakat. Lazard served as financial advisor to MEI and Olympus, led by George Fisher and Bob Frost. Baird also served as a financial advisor.

ABOUT OLYMPUS PARTNERS

Olympus Partners is a private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for growing companies. Olympus manages in excess of $12 billion mainly on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs. Founded in 1988, Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries including business services, food services, consumer products, healthcare services, financial services, industrial services and manufacturing.

ABOUT MEI INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS

MEI Industrial Solutions moves, stores and installs critical equipment for customers in the data center, semiconductor, EV and battery, aerospace and defense, life sciences and pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturing markets. Its services include rigging, machinery moving and setting, storage and staging, crating and export packaging, and specialized logistics. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, MEI operates 30 locations across the United States. For more information, visit www.meiindustrialsolutions.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/movin-on-up-olympus-announces-sale-of-mei-302910400.html

SOURCE Olympus Partners

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