The San Diego Business Journal presented Rich Pickett, San Diego State’s senior director and chief information officer, with the 2012 Information Technology Executive Exemplary Service Award.
The journal selected Pickett for "outstanding work in technical oversight of major educational facilities."
Enterprise technology
Pickett oversees the enterprise technology department that provides technical, computing and telecommunications support for the entire campus.
His team keeps SDSU’s infrastructure running securely and at top speed. In its award announcement, the journal stated SDSU boasts a complex information technology system, from cutting-edge scientific research projects to thousands of student tweets to a major broadcast facility.
Aiding in research
Pickett has published research in several areas, including neurosciences, analytical chemistry, population genetics and sociology.
He recently developed an extensive portal for scientists around the world to share information as part of an autism research project.
Humanitarian services
Pickett is committed to community service and humanitarian causes.
In the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, he piloted nearly 30 missions — delivering doctors, food and supplies — from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to Haiti.