FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WIT Accepting Nominations for the Ninth Annual Women of the Year in Technology Awards, Presented by Grant Thornton

Deadline for Submitting Online Nominations -- July 11th 

May 22, 2008 – ATLANTA – Women in Technology (WIT), the leading association devoted to the development of Georgia's businesswomen in the technology industry, today announced the opening of the nominations period for the 2008 Women of the Year in Technology Awards (WOTY). 

In its ninth year, WOTY recognizes women who exemplify leadership, positive influence and a have made a lasting impact on the technology industry, as well as on the life and well-being of the community.

The Awards will recognize “women of impact,” who exemplify leadership and positive influence, and who have made a lasting impact on the technology industry, as well as on the life and well being of their community.

To be eligible for nomination, a nominee must hold business, technology, or scientific leadership roles within a technology corporation or hold technology or scientific leadership roles in a non-technology corporation.  Nominees must reside in Georgia and be associated with an organization that is headquartered or affiliated in Georgia.

“I encourage all companies to nominate their female executives who meet the award criteria,” says 2007 WOTY award recipient Terry S. Trout, vice president of Customer Experience, Cbeyond, and the 2008 WOTY co-chair. “To receive this honor and be a part of the remarkable leadership represented by my fellow nominees and their companies was a tremendous recognition for me and for Cbeyond.   This award not only celebrates women who achieve, but it also recognizes the companies who create environments where that excellence can occur.”

WOTY winners are exposed through WIT to a series of opportunities of panel discussions, speaking engagements and interviews, further recognizing and promoting the leadership role of these female leaders and their companies. 

To learn about the nomination process and access the online nomination form, visit:  
http://www.witinc.org/SpecialEvents/WomenOfTheYear/HowToNominate.aspx.  Once the nominations period closes at 5 p.m. on July 11th, a distinguished panel of judges will review all applications and will select the award recipients.

WIT will announce all finalists at a VIP reception on August 18th, with award recipients unveiled during the 2008 WOTY Awards ceremony on September 18th at the Cobb Galleria. This year’s WOTY presenting sponsor is Grant Thornton LLP, a global accounting, tax and business advisory organization.

“Grant Thornton’s ninth year of sponsoring WOTY is an extension of our commitment to the success of the women in our Firm and the technology industry,” said partner, Lori Turbé. “The recognition provided by the awards encourages women professionals to strive for success and inspires girls to pursue the fields of technology, including math, which are critical to the accounting industry.”

About Women in Technology (WIT)

WIT is a not-for-profit organization made up of an influential community of diverse, talented professional women focused on promoting the advancement of women in the field of technology in Georgia. WIT’s monthly meetings feature nationally recognized speakers who address topics on leadership and professional advancement to support women in their technology careers while also providing a valuable networking opportunity. WIT delivers programs, such as WIT Executive Coaching and WIT Careers in Action to enable members to hone their leadership skills and achieve visibility within the business community.

WIT’s philanthropic and educational programs, such as Girls Get IT, provide outreach to educate and encourage girls and young women to pursue careers in science and technology. WIT has two annual premier events, WIT Connect, WIT’s annual fundraiser event and WIT’s Women of the Year in Technology Awards honoring the women who lead Georgia’s technology community. WIT is a founding society of the Technology Association of Georgia, an umbrella membership organization that serves the Georgia technology community. For more information on WIT and the WIT Foundation, WIT’s philanthropic arm, visit www.witinc.org.

About Grant Thornton 

Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International, one of the six international audit, tax and advisory organizations. Through member firms in 110 countries, including 50 offices in the United States, the partners and employees of Grant Thornton member firms provide personalized attention and the highest quality service to public and private clients around the globe. Visit Grant Thornton LLP at www.GrantThornton.com

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Media Inquiries Contact:
Anne Wainscott-Sargent
WIT PR Chair
678.352.0009
anne@annewainscott.com