[April 23, 2012]

IOUG Bids Farewell, Honors Mark Townsend with Ken Jacobs Award

The Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG) honored Mark Townsend posthumously with the 2011 Ken Jacobs Award on Sunday, April 22, during the IOUG Welcome Reception at COLLABORATE 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Ken Jacobs award recognizes an Oracle (News - Alert) Corporation employee each year for his/her outstanding dedication and service to the user group community on behalf of Oracle. The IOUG board voted earlier this year to give the 2011 Ken Jacobs Award to Mr. Townsend, the Vice President of Product Management in Oracle's Server Technology (News - Alert) Division. Mr. Townsend died suddenly on April 13th before the award was given publicly.

Mr. Townsend learned he was to receive the award shortly before his passing. Upon hearing of the coming award, he was both touched and honored. In an email response to IOUG Board President Andrew Flower, Mr. Townsend expressed his thanks:

"Wow - thanks very much. Not sure I can measure up to the great example set by Ken but genuinely very happy to receive thank. Please send my thanks to the board - it is a pleasure to work with all of them. …we at Oracle appreciate all the hard work you all do on behalf of the Oracle users."

Following the award ceremony, Mr. Flower expressed his gratitude for the work that Mr. Townsend did for the IOUG.

"Mark was a true friend of the IOUG," said Flower. "He was instrumental in nurturing the positive relationship we currently have with Oracle. His dedication, influence, and friendship will be missed by all of us."

Mr. Townsend's award was accepted on behalf of his family at COLLABORATE 12 by his friend and former colleague Ken Jacobs, after whom the award was originally named. In Townsend's work and life, he indeed measured up to Ken's example.

The Townsend family is grateful for all condolences, and has requested that any gifts or donations in Mr. Townsend's name be directed toward the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Morgan Hill, Calif. Donations can be made directly on the "In Memory of Mark Townsend" page.

About the Independent Oracle Users Group

Founded in 1993, the Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG) is a global membership organization that provides Oracle users the opportunity to enhance their productivity, maximize their investment and influence the quality, usability and support of Oracle technology. The IOUG represents the voice of Oracle technology and database professionals serving nearly 20,000 database administrators, developers, architects, technical managers and other Oracle professionals throughout North America and worldwide. The IOUG empowers its members to be more productive and successful in their businesses and careers by delivering education, sharing best practices and providing technology direction and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.ioug.org or call (312) 245-1579.

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