Several years ago, when the Service converted our messaging system to Lotus Notes, most field station e-mail was hosted on servers in Denver. Today, those servers are old technology. They break down frequently and require extensive efforts to keep them on line.

The Service purchased new technology systems and set a target date of October 30 to migrate all users to the new servers and permanently shut down the old ones. This has been a monumental task. A big "thank you" goes to Deb Euchler for accepting the responsibility for this project, and to the regional information technology and field office staff, who completed the job so well and in such a short time.

One of the new computer systems will go to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge's Cusano Environmental Educational Center in recognition of the efforts of administrative assistant Bill Thomas. Thomas consistently strives to improve nearly every aspect of information technology at the refuge, and has made many recommendations to regional staff, including suggested written procedures.

The second system will be delivered to the Northeast Fishery Technology Center at Lamar, Pa., to recognize the efforts of fisheries biologist Jerre Mohler. Mohler has been a great pair of IT hands. He is not afraid to jump into challenges and was instrumental in working on this migration at Lamar.