This article is published in the September 2024 issue.

Peter Harsha Receives 2024 Service to CRA Award

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By Matt Hazenbush, Director of Communications

The Computing Research Association (CRA) is delighted to announce that Peter Harsha, CRA’s Chief Operating Officer and Senior Director of Government Affairs, has been honored with the 2024 Service to CRA Award. This prestigious award recognizes Peter’s more than 20 years of dedicated service to the organization, during which he has significantly shaped CRA’s influence on computing research policy.

Peter joined CRA in 2001 and has since been instrumental in improving public and policymaker understanding of computing research, as well as enhancing the computing community’s engagement with policy issues. His leadership and commitment have ensured that CRA remains a vital advocate for computing research in Washington. Over the years, Peter has taken on several challenging roles within CRA, including serving as Interim Executive Director and leading critical audit initiatives, all of which have contributed to the association’s success and growth.

“Peter’s unwavering dedication and impactful leadership over the past two decades have been instrumental in shaping CRA’s role in the computing research community,” said Nancy Amato, Chair of the CRA Board of Directors. “His efforts have not only strengthened our influence in Washington but have also ensured that the voices of computing researchers are heard and valued. We are incredibly fortunate to have had Peter’s guidance and commitment throughout the years, and this award is a testament to his exceptional service to CRA.”

At the 2024 CRA Conference at Snowbird, Peter was presented with the Service to CRA Award in recognition of his remarkable contributions. During the conference, Peter also delivered an engaging dinner talk titled “Making a Federal Case for Computing,” where he shared insights into the importance of federal engagement in advancing computing research.

For more details on the Service to CRA Award and to see the full list of past recipients, please visit the Service to CRA awards page. For more on the 2024 CRA Conference at Snowbird, check out our event recap from last month’s CRN and view our full album of event photos on Flickr.