INFOhio Spence White Service Award, 2006
Dave Savastone, OME-RESA.
Dave Savastone, INFOhio Manager at the Ohio Mid-Eastern Regional Education Service Agency (OME-RESA) Instructional Technology Center, has been selected as the 2006 recipient of the INFOhio Spence White Service Award.
Dave, a former school library media specialist for 20 years, became the INFOhio Manager for OME-RESA in 1998. Thanks to his efforts, his schools have received three Library Services and Technology grants awarded by the State Library of Ohio – in 2001, 2003 and 2006 – for a total of $600,000. As a result, 83% (83 out of 100) of his total buildings have been automated with these federal funds.
Connie Evans, New Philadelphia City Schools, noted in her nominating letter that Dave is ”an amazing force for the advancement of INFOhio library automation technology throughout all of Ohio. Dave supports the INFOhio project with his outstanding service, his organizational skills and his unwavering dedication to the goals of INFOhio. As he began the automation of our district, he always approached this multifaceted project with enthusiasm, organization excellence and technical expertise. His ability to understand the technical intricacies of the system and also the practical everyday responsibilities of library personnel was essential in making this project a reality.”
Cynthia Russell-Marshall of Garaway Schools added, “He has offered training sessions and walked us through step by step – never giving us more than we need at any given time, so that we are not overwhelmed. He goes above and beyond to promote the use of INFOhio resources and technology. Dave is the face of INFOhio in eastern Ohio.”
Said INFOhio Executive Director Theresa M. Fredericka, "You only need to meet Dave and within minutes you understand that he is one of those individuals who loves what he does. He is always positive – no matter what the situation – and has a can-do attitude. He is a real team player, willing to help no matter what the task."
It is fitting that Dave is receiving this award because in many ways he is so like Spence in the way he works, the way he cares about the people he works with, and the quiet passion that drives his every action. Congratulations and thanks Dave for your commitment to the students and to the schools of your region, and for being so true to the spirit of this award.
