HARLAN, Iowa, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- HTG Peer Groups, a worldwide network of IT solution provider executives formed to collaborate and share business best practices, today announced the winners of its third annual leadership awards, given out yesterday at the third annual HTG Summit at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Las Colinas, Texas.

Each HTG peer group selected one member who was most deserving, and other recipients were recognized for their contributions nationwide.

Top winners this year are:

Founder's Award: Brad Schow, CVO, Compudyne 
 
Leadership Award: Ted Hulsy, director of channel marketing, SonicWALL 
 
Facilitator of the Year: Robert Lindley, president, Innovative Systems, Inc.
 
Spirit Award: Rich Anderson, CEO, Next Level Café
 
Rookie of the Year: Zaun Bhana, operations director, Leap Consulting
 
Excellence in Partnering Award: Lyf Wildenberg, president, Mytech Partners & Erik Thorsell, president, Success Computer Consulting 
 
Vendor Sponsors of the year: Microsoft and SonicWALL 
 
Friend of HTG award: Varvid  
 

Go-Giver Awards were given to the following executives in appreciation for their efforts to help their peers. Jonathan Warrey, Regional Sales Director, Marco; Jay Strickland, CEO, WingSwept; Lisa Mitchell, vice president, Progressive Computer Systems; Chris Boyle, CEO, MyITpros; Lyf Wildenberg, president, Mytech Partners; Jamison West, CEO, JWCS; Chris Chase, CEO, Directive; and David Russell, CEO, Success With People.

Additional awards have been given to the following members in the category of Best Use of Four Plans: Steve Harper, president and CEO, NMGI; Ricky Ayers, CFO, WorkSmart; Mickey McGraw, owner, Infoaxis; Robyn Howes, president, Certified NETS; Scott Christopherson, president, Tekmanagement; Lisa Mitchell, vice president, Progressive Computer Systems and John Pritchard, founder and principal, Catalyst. In the category of Best Member Use of QBRs: Kurt Sippel, CEO, Applied Tech, Tony Schafer , Desktop Resources, Mike Ritsema, partner i3 Business Solutions, Robyn Howes, president, Certified NETS, Scott Christopherson, president, Tekmanagement, Kirk Harding, founder and CEO, Bay Computing Group, Mike Perkins, Data Network Group, Kevin Blake, president, Integrated Computer Solutions, and Joe Pannone, CEO, Forza Technology Solutions.

HTG15 was named Peer Group of the Year, and Group Member of the Year awards were given to the following individuals:

HTG1: Connie Arentson, president, Heartland Technology Solutions
 
HTG2: Michael Cocanower, president, itSynergy
 
HTG3: Brian Miller, COO, United Technology Group
 
HTG4: Korlynn Applegate, controller, CSI Kansas Inc.
 
HTG5: Mike Ritsema and Kathy Labozzetta, partners, i3 Business Solutions
 
HTG7: Dan Paquette, partner, Key Methods
 
HTG8: Monique Rogers, corporate administration and marketing director; Shane Swanson, director of operations, ARRC Technology
 
HTG9: Jesse Jepsen, president, Wyomissing Data Systems
 
HTG10: Michael Fafinski, president, Syand
 
HTG11: Mark Williams, managing director, Pensar IT Management
 
HTG12: Chris Brown, vice president, NRG Technology Services
 
HTG13: Tyler Smith, CTO, Matson & Isom Technology Consulting
 
HTG14: Don Bentz, president, Preferred IT Group
 
HTG15: Jay Strickland, CEO, WingSwept
 
HTG16: Robert Kyslinger, Founder and Managing General Partner, OMNIPOTECH
 
HTG17: Lisa Mitchell, vice president, Progressive Computer Systems
 
HTG18: Sunny Lowe, CEO, Blue Jean Networks
 
HTG19: Joe Pannone, CEO, Forza Technology Solutions
 
HTG21: Andrew Smith, owner, Cool Chilli Pty Ltd
 
HTG22: Lloyd Wolf, president and CEO, Wolf Consulting
 
 

"HTG is a group of people who are committed to making a difference every day by contributing their professional and personal skills to the success of others," said Arlin Sorensen, founder and CEO of HTG Peer Groups. "Congratulations to this year's winners who lead their own companies to greatness while having a profound impact on the entire channel community."

The four-day summit has attracted more than 500 attendees from 250 HTG member companies, along with 60 vendors. It offered workshops, clinics and presentations covering business and technology issues that face IT solution providers, and opportunities to network and consult with other attendees to build relationships and solve common challenges.

About HTG Peer Groups (HTG)

Established in 2000 by Arlin Sorensen as a business and personal development community, today HTG Peer Groups is an international organization of leading IT solution providers. HTG has more than 250 member companies throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia/New Zealand. Each peer group consists of 10-12 IT company executives who work together and share resources and information to formulate and meet business goals such as strategic planning, process improvement and tools, and life-work excellence. HTG offers CEO Forums, vendor peer groups and other educational events, quarterly meetings, and an annual summit that attracts hundreds of attendees, vendor exhibitors and strategic partners. Visit www.htgpeergroups.com or call 712-744-3619 for more information.