FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kirsten Voinis
MARCH 24, 2005 (512) 922-7141

GENESYS CHOSEN TOP "NOT FOR PROFIT" IN HOUSTON
Technology program recognized by CIOs from major Houston corporations

Genesys ITS, a non-profit technology education and training program that targets economically disadvantaged youth, was recognized Wednesday as the 2005 Not-For-Profit of the Year by Houston’s most influential technology industry leaders at the Houston CIO Executive Summit.

The award was presented by Frank Trogus, vice chairman of the governing body of the Houston CIO Executive Summit, to Genesys ITS founder and president Rafael Alvarez.

“Genesys is an important social enterprise in our Houston community,” said Trogus, CIO of Shell Oil Products US and Motiva Enterprises LLC. “It enables the youth of our community to expand their horizons and provides a workforce for business. This award hopefully will inspire other CIOs to help Genesys take its concept to the next level.”

Alvarez said much of the success of Genesys ITS since its founding in 2002 can be attributed to numerous Houston company CIOs who believe in the program and offer its students the opportunity to learn and apply technical skills in a real-world setting.

“This award from the Houston CIO Executive Summit is a significant honor for Genesys and its students,” Alvarez said. “It is recognition that dedicated, hard working students can develop the technology skills necessary to contribute to the business success of our city’s major employers.”

Students participating in the Genesys program are enrolled at Southwest, Reagan, Milby, Austin, Eastwood and Chavez high schools. While attending school, they receive technology education and training through Genesys ITS. After intensive training, the students also are placed in technology positions with Houston companies to apply what they have learned.

“Genesys offers an opportunity for a company’s information technology department to meet its entry-level needs cost-effectively,” Alvarez said. “At the same time, the lives of our students, all of whom are from low-income families, are changed because they gain on-the-job experience. This leads either to a head start on a promising career or the inspiration to attend college.”

Among Genesys’ major clients are United Space Alliance, Reliant Energy, Duke Energy, El Paso Corp., Shell Oil Products and Sirius Solutions.

”United Space Alliance’s relationship with Genesys ITS has been a win-win situation from the start,” said Kathy Tamer, vice president and CIO. “The Genesys students are provided opportunities to further develop their technical skills and interact on a daily basis with IT and aerospace professionals. They get a first person view of the benefits of furthering their education. USA receives quality, cost-effective services and the IT employees have the opportunity to mentor highly motivated students and further develop their own leadership skills.”

For more information on Genesys, please visit www.genesysworks.org.