CDS Global, a leader in end-to-end business process outsourcing and one of the state's largest technology employers, was honored with the inaugural Igniter Award from the Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) at the eighth annual Prometheus Awards. The Igniter Award is presented to a company that provides significant dedication and support to TAI and to the advancement of Iowa's high-tech industry.
The company received the award at a ceremony hosted by TAI and LWBJ Financial on Tuesday 9 April 2013, in Veteran's Memorial Hall at Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.
The Igniter Award honors not only CDS Global's financial support, but the hundreds of hours the company contributes to Technology Association of Iowa committees, projects and events. CDS Global has been instrumental in the success of TAI's Women of Innovation Awards and Prometheus Awards events, and played a fundamental role in creating, implementing and hosting Experience Iowa Technology - a new TAI program that introduces Iowa college students to Iowa technology companies and career opportunities.
Additionally, CDS Global has made significant contributions to the Iowa technology community at large and has sponsored and presented at events, including Des Moines Area Community College's Celebrate Innovation Week, Social: IRL's Beyond the Keynote with Brian Solis and the Iowa IT Symposium.
CDS Global also regularly offers free Agile 101 development classes, having trained more than 520 individuals from more than 60 local companies. Representatives from CDS Global have taught university classes, and the company continually employs college interns in its technology areas.
"CDS Global has spent the past 40 years proudly supporting our local tech community through education, advocacy and sponsorship, working with countless organizations and events," said Debra Janssen, chief operating officer of CDS Global. "As avid supporters of technology in Iowa and of Iowa students, we are honored to receive this recognition from the Technology Association of Iowa and to be a partner in fostering innovation and success among our technology colleagues."
"CDS Global is an incredibly strong ambassador of the Technology Association of Iowa," said Leann Jacobsen, president of the Technology Association of Iowa. "Their commitment to collaboration and education is invaluable in helping us create a healthy technology community."
CDS Global's technology team includes more than 200 people, with 97% of those employees working in Iowa, making CDS Global one of the largest development companies in the state. The company recently invested $30m in technology capital projects and has launched six technology products in the past two and a half years.
