Tom Suder: Better ideas for BetterBuy

Name: Tom Suder

Age: 43

Title and organization: Strategic Adviser, University of Central Florida; President and Founder, Mobilegov

Nominated for: Proposing the use of a collection of Web 2.0 technologies to improve government procurement — an idea that became the foundation for the General Services Administration’s BetterBuy Project.

First IT mentor: Dennis Mazaris, who gave me my first job in the technology field when he hired me after I waited on his table at lunch. Later, we co-founded a successful government IT services company, Concert Technologies.

Latest accomplishment on the job: Launching Mobilegov with the intent of leveraging advanced mobility and helping transform existing government business models.

Career highlight: Being the catalyst behind the idea that ultimately became the BetterBuy Project. GSA and other agencies, such as the Coast Guard, are using it for major procurements. It was an amazing experience to work with many talented individuals on the project.

Your advice for a government IT wannabe: Start by reading all the government IT publications. Attend government IT conferences, panels and social events. Participate on government IT committees.

What you enjoy most about working in government IT: Collaborating with government and industry colleagues who are passionate about their mission.

Three favorite job-related apps: Evernote,Dropbox, Kindle app for iPad

Dream non-IT-related job: General manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers

Read the next Rising Star profile or view the full list of winners.