This article is published in the August 2022 issue.

Andrew Bernat Receives 2022 Service to CRA Award

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Andy awardThe Computing Research Association (CRA) is pleased to honor Andrew Bernat with the 2022 Service to CRA Award in recognition of nearly 20 years of service leading the organization as Executive Director.

Bernat joined CRA in 2002, and under his leadership the association saw a dramatic, positive transformation, more than tripling in size and launching significant new efforts in research visioning, widening participation, and postgraduate support, while remaining the organization of record for computing research issues in Washington policy circles. 

During his tenure, CRA:

  • saw its financial position strengthen significantly. Expenditures increased from under $2 million to more than $7.5 million and the size of reserve funds increased from $600K to more than $3 million;
  • expanded the scope of initiatives and increased staffing from 7 to 22 full time employees;
  • founded the Computing Community Consortium, launched two iterations of the CIFellows programs, expanded its widening participation programs, and established the Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline, CRA Education Committee, and CRA-Industry; 
  • and nurtured strong relationships with affiliates and partners in the computing community.

Bernat, who retired in September 2021, received the Service to CRA Award at the 2022 CRA Conference at Snowbird.