Each of them can take heart in the fact that this year's class of Premier 100 IT Leaders has continued that tradition of selfless service -- of giving back to the profession. Many serve as mentors, nurturing the next generation of IT leaders.

Kay Palmer of J.B. Hunt Transport Services uses mentoring and coaching to teach promising employees technical, business and diplomatic skills because, she explains, very few leaders naturally possess all three.

John Schindler of Kichler Lighting has a process in place to identify "fast-track individuals," and he monitors their development. "I know the individuals I'll be grooming and investing time in," he says.

Bill Regehr of Boys & Girls Clubs of America is determined to give back as well. "A lot of people invested in me," he says. "I owe it to the next generation to pass that on."

We extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Palmer, Schindler, Regehr and the rest of this year's Premier 100 IT Leader award recipients. In doing so, we recognize, as they do, that it's not what an IT professional receives that makes him a leader. It's what he gives.