Federal 100 winner: Richard Boe

Richard Boe

Manager of the operations group in the Information Technology Directorate

Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Organization

Boe led the consolidation of the operations group’s information technology infrastructure management functions. As part of the consolidation, he expanded and required more green practices, in line with recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency.

To accomplish that goal, he implemented an IT equipment exchange program that has removed more than 1 million pounds of obsolete computer equipment, while also complying with EPA guidelines and meeting data security standards, said Debra Rowe, Eastern Service Area IT lead at the FAA ATO IT Operations Group. At a time when outdated IT policies slowed FAA, Boe made sure that those working with him had the resources to accomplish the goals, including dramatic results in the area of green IT, she said.

“He brought an enthusiasm for innovation to FAA Air Traffic Information Technology that was contagious to those around him and to all who reported to him," Rowe said. "He will not accept ‘It can't be done.’ He will only accept ‘This is what it will take to accomplish our goal.'"

These practices became policy for the entire ATO organization, and other agencies are following with similar exchange efforts based on the effectiveness of the program that Boe established, she said.