Source: Sosni, 27/08/2008

The Association of Brazilian Information Technology, Software and Internet Companies in Rio de Janeiro (Assespro-RJ) will deliver today (27/08), at the Firjan Convention Center, the 2008 edition of the Assespro Award, the most traditional permission in the sector Information Technology (IT) in the State of Rio.

In this year's edition, the Assespro Award will be given to the seven personalities who stood out most in defending the interests of the IT sector in Rio de Janeiro and the best solutions developed in eleven categories. “The Assespro Award is a tribute to professionals who commit all their talent and creativity to make information technology a tool for progress for the economy and society in general. The award night is also an occasion on which the big names in the sector in Rio meet to discuss the challenges that lie ahead ”, assesses the president of Assespro-RJ, Claudio Nasajon.

This year the winners of the Assespro Personalities of the Year Award are:

- The economist, with a doctorate at Yale University (USA), and professor at USP's Faculty of Economics, André Franco Montoro Filho, who is president of the Brazilian Institute of Competitive Ethics (ETCO), will receive the award in the Third Sector category.

- Denise Camolez, president of the Rio de Janeiro Taxpayers' Council, an agency linked to the Municipal Finance Department.

- Julio Lagun, Undersecretary of State for Scientific and Technological Development in Rio de Janeiro;

- Luiz Fernando Gomes Soares, “father” of Ginga, Brazilian digital TV middleware, developed at PUC-Rio.

- Mário Fleck, Director of Investment Management, responsible for Rio Bravo's value and activism fund since August 2004, when he assumed the management of RB Fundamental FIA.

- Paulo Couto, business administrator with specialization in marketing and finance, founder and editor of the Forum PCs portal.

- Henrique Rzezinski, Vice President of Embraer

The winners of the Assespro Best Companies Award will only be announced on the night of delivery. All were chosen by a jury of notables in the sector formed by professionals from BNDES, SEBRAE, PUC-Rio and the specialized press.

At the award ceremony, Embraer's vice president, Henrique Rzezinski, will give the lecture "How the world sees Brazilian technology". On the same night, there will be the launch of the Web Developer Training Course for People with Motor Disabilities, a partnership between Riosoft and Universidade Estácio, with support from Assespro-RJ and Seprorj.