Washington State Wins Two NASCIO Awards, Named Finalist in Four Additional Categories

Olympia, WA — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) announced the winners of its 2025 State IT Recognition Awards, and Washington state emerged as a national leader—earning two top awards and being named a finalist in four additional categories.

The NASCIO Awards Committee selected 10 recipients from 31 finalists and more than 130 total entries nationwide. The awards recognize outstanding technology initiatives that improve service delivery, increase efficiency, and strengthen public trust in government. Washington is the only state to win more than one award as the top finalist.

Washington received top honors in:

• Enterprise Technology Management – Disrupting the Norm: How Washington Turned Procurement into a Platform for Innovation (Washington Technology Solutions)

• State CIO Office Special Recognition – Modernizing the Mission: Washington’s Innovation and Modernization Program (Washington Technology Solutions)

Washington was also named a finalist in four other categories:

• Information & Communications Technology – SAFE and Sound: Revolutionizing Firearm Background Checks through Centralized, Secure, and Scalable Technology (Washington State Patrol)

• Data Management, Analytics & Visualization – One Address, One Truth: The Invisible Infrastructure Behind Fairer and Better Public Service Delivery (State Geospatial Information Office)

• Cybersecurity – Critical Connections: Protecting the Digital Pulse of Washington’s Roads and Rails (Washington State Department of Transportation)

• Artificial Intelligence – Smart Smoke Signals: AI Vision and Data for Faster Fire Response (Washington Technology Solutions and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

“This recognition reflects the incredible work being done across our state to modernize technology, improve efficiency, and put residents at the center of service design,” said Bill Kehoe, Washington State CIO and Director of Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech). “We are proud that Washington is the only state to win multiple awards this year, and we share this honor with the many agencies and partners who made these projects possible.”

With six total recognitions across ten categories, Washington continues to demonstrate leadership in enterprise IT, innovation, and cross-agency collaboration. The state will be recognized at the NASCIO Annual Conference, where leaders from across the country gather to celebrate and share technology solutions shaping the future of government.

For more information regarding all award nominations, visit the NASCIO website.

About NASCIO
Founded in 1969, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. NASCIO fosters government excellence through IT leadership, policy development, and collaboration across states.