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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - May 21, 2007 - The Network Professional Association® (NPA) recognizes six award winners as the Association completes its sixth annual Awards for Professionalism. The formal Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday May 24th from 12:15 - 1:00pm, in the Mandalay J Room in the Mandalay Bay Hotel at the Interop Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. The awards program, in cooperation with Interop, honors awardees for outstanding achievements within the international network computing industry. Each award winner receives a specially designed personalized trophy.

As an annual event the Awards provide validated recognition for outstanding professional contributions in the network industry. Award recipients are recognized for valuable efforts, continued focus on networking and professionalism, and impartial respect. An industry panel of judges is convened to review award submissions and make recommendations for recognition. Through an annual mutual relationship with Interop, the NPA enhances the prestige and visibility of the Awards while continuing a standard celebratory ceremony at this definitive annual networking event.

Amy Christen of Cisco was selected for the Networking Professional Career Achievement Award. Amy was nominated due to her outstanding life work and since one of the NPA values is the support of education to the youth of the world. The Cisco Networking Academy, celebrating its 10th anniversary for significant and exceptional global contributions, is a public private partnership with established educational institutions around the world. Students range from high school age to university-level and are furthering their education with goals of building technical knowledge and skills. Amy is the Global General Manager of the Cisco Networking Academy.

Neal Allen of Fluke Networks was selected for the Professional Excellence and Innovation Award, Corporate Fortune 500 category. Neal has been working for Fluke since 1989, and has been in the Fluke Networks networking products group since 1992 when it formed. Several of his key projects include troubleshooting at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and network service restoration at the Pentagon following the 9/11 attack. Neal is currently a Level 3 Escalation Engineer with Fluke Networks.

Donald Beckman was selected for the Top of the Mark - Volunteer Award. Donald's leadership efforts in community support while managing an information technology career were noted as exemplary evidence of his volunteer contributions. Donald shows compassion, dedication, and consistency thru his volunteer work on his local rescue squad. He holds certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support which allow him to treat a wide variety of medical issues for both children and adults. Donald is an Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton, a global strategy and technology consulting firm.

Geoffrey Milos was selected for the Professional Excellence and Innovation Award, Education category. Geoffrey's nomination detailed positive tenets of IT professionalism through his history of personal achievement, leadership in IT and an interest in the community and industry. Of significance were his efforts in systems design engineering and his work as the past president of the Toronto Storage Networking User Group. Geoffrey is currently an Enterprise Business Architect in the Advanced Technology department of the Calgary Health Region.

The Joint Continental United States (CONUS) Communications Support Environment (JCCSE) team of the National Guard Bureau was selected for the Professional Excellence and Innovation Award, Government category. The JCCSE initiative was recognized as a innovate system which consists of integrated networks, collaborative tools, and deployable communications to provide an information sharing environment that is seamless to the user and that facilitates horizontal information sharing capabilities in support of the National Guard's mission.

Dennis Gibson of Booz Allen Hamilton was selected for the Best Mentor Award. Dennis Gibson was nominated due to his promotion of the ideals of professionalism as an accomplished mentor. Many individuals cited the valuable mentoring assistance that Dennis provided in their years of experience working with him. Dennis' professionalism and knowledge base has created a reputation of integrity and trust supported by the clients he supports and his co-workers as well. Dennis is a Principal with Booz Allen Hamilton, a global strategy and technology consulting firm.