Last month, Al Faber, President and CEO of the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Inc., announced the 2024 recipients of the Baldrige Foundation’s Leadership Awards, which recognizes leaders who provide exceptionally outstanding service and/or support to their sector. This year’s list of award recipients included SMU’s Chief Security Officer George Finney.
In the announcement, Faber stated that the leadership awards “recognize outstanding individuals, leaders, and supporters who embody Baldrige leadership and management values and principles and who have provided outstanding service to the Baldrige community and beyond.” The categories include the E. David Spong Lifetime Achievement Award, Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award, Dr. Curt Reimann Baldrige Scholarship, and the Foundation Awards for Leadership Excellence. The Baldrige Foundation Awards for Leadership Excellence is presented for work in Business, Nonprofit, Government, Health Care, Education, Cybersecurity, and new this year, Community. SMU CSO George Finney is being recognized for his significant achievements in the Cybersecurity sector.
On the announcement, Finney stated, “This is truly an incredible honor, and I’m at a loss for words.” The Baldrige Foundation Leadership Awards were established to recognize leaders who provide exceptional support promoting a positive impact on organizational and community success. Only in 2016 did they begin to include the cybersecurity sector. “Looking at the list of prior recipients, I’m floored to be among such an amazing group of leaders.”
SMU’s Chief Information Officer Michael H. Hites remarked, “George has been instrumental in building SMU’s cybersecurity program from the beginning and has delivered consistently for 20 years. His commitment to education and awareness has not only strengthened our defense against cyber threats but has also positioned our organization as a leader among SMU’s peer universities.”
The Foundation’s Leadership Awards will be presented during the Foundation Awards Ceremony held as part of the annual Quest for Excellence® conference near Washington, D.C., on April 9, 2024.
Congratulations to our very own George Finney for being recognized by the Baldrige Foundation with this Award for Leadership Excellence in Cybersecurity for 2024!
