We recognized IT professionals who demonstrate strong leadership at various stages of their careers at Tech Forum 2026. The awards are part of a continuing effort to develop, encourage, and support IT leadership for all IT professionals at the University of Iowa.
The IT Leadership Awards are sponsored by the IT Leadership Development Team, along with UI Chief Information Officer Brad Rohrer and UI Health Care Chief Information Digital Officer Josh Wilda.
Distinguished Service
We recognized Steve Fleagle as the inaugural recipient of the Steve Fleagle Distinguished Service Award. Steve’s leadership guided the evolution of IT from a back-office utility to a strategic partner woven into nearly every facet of the institution. His vision helped IT become an innovative force, working side-by-side with partners across campus to drive strategic initiatives and daily operations.
His efforts to unite central and distributed IT units as OneIT, as well as his work with regional and national research networks, improved efficiency, service delivery, and connectivity for the university and the broader community.
To recognize his legacy, the IT Leadership Development Team renamed the Lifetime Achievement Award to the Steve Fleagle Distinguished Service Award. This award honors an IT staff member whose career reflects the collaborative spirit, innovative leadership, and people-first philosophy exemplified by Steve Fleagle.
Team Achievement
The TRACERS team includes Brad Carson and Jeff DeReus. They support the TRACERS mission, the largest grant in University of Iowa history. They have enhanced system reliability and operational efficiency, introducing process standardization and robust monitoring. Their collaborative approach—engaging with partners, including NASA and leading research institutions—has fostered strong teamwork. Their efforts have set a high standard for leadership, partnership, and innovation at the University of Iowa.
The Halo team includes Jessica Church, Kyle Collins, Michael Kacer, and Jennifer Reinier. By uniting colleagues from HCIS and OneIT, they leveraged their strengths to ensure the successful adoption of Halo. Their efforts created an efficient, user-focused ticketing experience that better meets the needs of the university and health care communities. Their dedication to teamwork and responsiveness to user needs have positively impacted IT service delivery and collaboration. Their leadership serves as a model for future cross-functional initiatives.
Transformational Achievement
Chris Hatland is a network operations team lead in ITS Enterprise Infrastructure. Chris’s leadership is marked by his focus on team structure, clarity, and accountability, while remaining approachable and involved in technical work. He encourages innovation, supports professional growth, and prioritizes lasting improvements over quick fixes. His genuine care for his team has helped build a positive and supportive culture.
Community Engagement
Justin Hess is a senior systems administrator in the College of Pharmacy. Kandis Schmitz is the administrative services manager for HCIS Telecommunications. Over the past three years, they have co-led the IT Social Committee, serving OneIT and HCIS. They’ve organized the annual Fall Picnic, Trunk-o-Treat, and the Conversation Partners Program. Justin and Kandis have demonstrated outstanding leadership as community builders, especially in a remote and hybrid work environment.
Welcoming and Respectful Workplace
TJ is a facility coordinator for HCIS. Through his approachable and positive attitude, TJ consistently ensures that every employee, guest, and trainee feels welcomed and respected. His steady, solution-focused approach inspires trust and confidence throughout the team. By handling everything from facility needs to infrastructure projects with patience and creativity, he has set a standard for professionalism and care. His commitment has made the HSSB a model workplace.
Unsung Hero
eden is an instructional accessibility consultant for the ITS Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology. While many individuals have contributed to improving digital accessibility at the University of Iowa, eden stands out as a catalyst for progress, providing leadership through training, outreach, and technology adoption. eden listens carefully to stakeholder needs, identifies gaps, and takes action to sustain long-term change.
Trent Lawson is a lead IT support consultant for HCIS. Trent ensures reliable technology support for over 90 UI Health Care locations across Iowa. His commitment to onboarding and provisioning technology has been crucial as the organization continues to expand its reach. Recognized for his steady and selfless service, Trent consistently supports his team members and clinical colleagues, stepping in to resolve challenges and ensuring smooth operations behind the scenes.
Jacob Braun is a database architect for HCIS. Through his role as an informal mentor and trusted collaborator, Jacob shares valuable expertise and helps colleagues navigate challenges. Jacob’s proactive approach and problem-solving skills have ensured reliable IT services throughout the organization. His dedication, clear communication, and commitment to excellence have strengthened operational stability and elevated team morale.
Rising Star
Beth Schmidt is the assistant director of HCIS clinical informatics. Beth has played a pivotal role in multiple high-impact initiatives, most notably leading preparation and execution for the Epic upgrades, overseeing coordination, testing, documentation, communications, and support plans to ensure operational readiness. Beth consistently invests in people and culture, enhancing team morale through change management and community-building initiatives.
Congratulations to this year's IT Leadership Award recipients!