Hugh Kelly of LCBO Named as CIO of the Year

CIO Canada and CIPA recognize executive for transformational leadership

	For More Information: Contact: norm.kirkpatrick@cipa.com (905) 952 0778

TORONTO, November 14, 2007 - Hugh Kelly, who has led the technology-driven transformation of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario into an innovative retailer making an annual billion-dollar contribution to the Ontario government, has been named the 2007 CIO Canada CIO of the Year.

Kelly, who is Senior Vice President, Information Technology, and Chief Information Officer of the LCBO, received the award at the 15th annual Gala Banquet of the Canadian Information Productivity Awards (CIPA).

The CIO of the Year award is bestowed by CIPA and CIO Canada, a publication of IT World Canada, for inspirational leadership in the strategic application of information and communications technologies to transform organizations.

Kelly is credited with building an IT division capable of supporting the LCBO as a market-focused retailer. It is one of the largest buyers of beverage alcohol in the world, with products from more than 70 countries sold in 602 stories supplied through five regional warehouses.

Kelly joined the LCBO in 1994, taking over responsibility for a patchwork of fragmented applications reflecting the LCBO's heritage. He introduced new management, new concepts and methodologies and integrated IT into the LCBO strategic planning process. His division supported 66 major business initiatives within the past year.

LCBO revenues have climbed to $4 billion in the current fiscal year from $1.8 billion in 1994. In fiscal 2006-2007, the company delivered a $1.275-billion dividend, not including taxes, to its owner, the Ontario government.

John Pickett, Vice President and Editorial Director at IT World Canada, said: "Hugh Kelly is the kind of CIO for whom the word 'visionary' might have been invented. Under his guiding hand the IT Division has become a key enabler of everything from a remarkable worldwide supply system to award-winning retail operations.

"His work embodies the best of modern IT management and his career demonstrates exemplary commitment to progressive business principles."

During Kelly's tenure LCBO has won more than 200 awards for store design, staff training and leadership development, innovative retail practices, marketing, communications and social responsibility. The awards include Innovative Retailer of the Year and two Excellence in Retailing awards from the Retail Council of Canada and an Outstanding Business of the Year Award from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

Kelly has 35 years' experience in information technology in both the private and public sectors. He has previously served on the provincial and national boards of the Canadian Information Processing Society, the e-business advisory committee and the CIO Council of the Retail Council of Canada, and the CIO Council of the Conference Board of Canada.

About the Canadian Information Productivity Awards

CIPA is Canada's oldest and largest awards program in the field of information technology and the premier showcase for Canadian IT and innovation. It is supported by Managing Sponsor CGI Group Inc. and Diamond Sponsors CA Canada and Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd. National media partners include Canadian Business magazine, published by Rogers Communications Inc.; IT World Canada publications CIO Canada and CIO Government Review; regional publications BCBusiness and Atlantic Business and High Road Communications. Our research partner is IDC Canada and allied technology associations include CATA, CHITTA, CIPS, COACH, CME, FiQ, ITAC and others.

Regional support stems from federal and provincial governments, chambers of commerce, boards of trade, and province-based technology associations across the country.

The mission of CIPA is to promote enhanced innovation, productivity and competitiveness in Canada by celebrating visionary organizations that have implemented IT project solutions that address business challenges or maximize opportunities in an innovative way. http://www.cipa.ca

For further information, contact:
Norm Kirkpatrick
President & CEO,
Canadian Information Productivity Awards
905-695-6590,
norm.kirkpatrick@cipa.ca

Lawrence Moule
Director of Communications,
CIPA
416-458-4410,
lawrence.moule@cipa.ca

About IT World Canada Inc.

IT World Canada is the information resource of choice for Canadian IT professionals. For more than 25 years, the Toronto-based company has been building relationships with Canada's IT professionals through leading publications including: CIO Canada, Network World Canada, ComputerWorld Canada, CIO Government Review, and IT Focus, as well as the Web sites Http://www.itworldcanada.com, http://www.InterGovWorld.com and http://www.PCworld.ca.

IT World Canada is the Canadian affiliate of International Data Group (IDG), the world's largest IT information provider. IDG publishes more than 300 publications worldwide. IDG also provides IT market analysis through 49 offices in 41 countries worldwide. One hundred million people read one or more IDG publications each month.

For further information, contact:
John Pickett
Vice President and Editorial Director
IT World Canada Inc.
416-290-0240
jpickett@itworldcanada.com