Spirit of Ole Jensen Award
In January 2005, ACETECH created an award to recognize CEOs who have demonstrated exceptional perseverance and positive spirit in the face of great personal or business adversity. This award was inspired by Ole Jensen.
Who Was Ole Jensen?
Ole Jensen was a dedicated ACETECH supporter and Board member, and a longtime CEO who had faced more than his own share of adversity in building his business. In May 2003, Ole was diagnosed with ALS, a rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Throughout his two year battle with ALS, all those who supported Ole were moved by the tremendous spirit with which he faced the disease through its relentless progression. The ACETECH Fellows who visited Ole through the later stages of his struggle recommended to the ACETECH Board that a perpetual award be created to recognize his indomitable spirit and perseverance. In late January 2005, Ole was honored as the first recipient of the Spirit of Ole Jensen award. In May of that year ALS claimed Ole but for those who knew him it never claimed his spirit.
Recipients
2005 - Ole Jensen
2008 - John Livingston, CEO, Absolute Software
Award Criteria
To qualify, the nominee must be or must have been the CEO or president of a technology or life sciences company who has demonstrated exceptional perseverance and positive spirit in the face of great personal or business adversity. Posthumous recognition is acceptable. ACETECH defines a technology company as one which sells or aims to sell a proprietary product or service that depends on their own intellectual property.
Nominations
Nominations are to be in writing, specifically describing the individual and the fit between the circumstances and the award criteria. The application shall not exceed 500 words, and shall be signed by a nominator and a seconder, each of whom shall be the president or CEO of a technology company as defined by the ACETECH eligibility criteria noted above.
Nominations are to be submitted to ACETECH’s Executive Director on or before January 15 in any given year.
The ACETECH Fellows shall consider the nominations and recommend a recipient to the ACETECH Board for formal resolution. Significant emphasis will be placed on establishing and maintaining a very high standard for this award. There shall be no minimum nor maximum number of awards in any given time period.
Recognition
The Award recipient will receive a personal citation delivered at the annual ACETECH Symposium at Whistler that takes place every year during the first week of March, a personal plaque, recognition on a perpetual memorial displayed at the ACETECH office, and recognition on the ACETECH website.
