Note: Our Authorized and Progressing Lists are now unified under the Program Participants List.
The GovRAMP Founders Award honors visionary leaders whose innovation, collaboration, and public service strengthen how governments protect cloud data. Presented each year at the GovRAMP Cyber Summit, this award represents the highest recognition of leadership in advancing secure, trusted cloud adoption across the public sector.
Established in 2024, the GovRAMP Founders Award recognizes individuals who embody GovRAMP’s founding principles of security, transparency, and partnership. Each recipient has advanced cybersecurity across government through innovative action, collaborative leadership, and an enduring commitment to public trust.
Learn more about the legacy, selection process, and recognition behind GovRAMP’s highest honor.
The award was created in tribute to J.R. Sloan and Joe Bielawski, whose leadership and collaboration established GovRAMP’s foundation. Their shared vision—to unite public and private partners around a common goal of cybersecurity excellence—continues to guide GovRAMP’s mission today.
Each year, the GovRAMP Board of Directors selects the recipient based on their lasting contributions to cybersecurity and alignment with GovRAMP’s core values. Honorees demonstrate measurable impact through innovation, leadership, and community partnership across sectors.
Award recipients are honored at the GovRAMP Cyber Summit, where peers and industry leaders gather to celebrate progress in public-sector cybersecurity. The Founders Award serves as an enduring symbol of excellence, innovation, and service to the public good.
Since its inception, the GovRAMP Founders Award has recognized leaders whose vision and collaboration have shaped secure cloud adoption nationwide. The next recipient will be announced live at the 2026 GovRAMP Cyber Summit.
Recognized for implementing Indiana’s RAMP Executive Order, establishing GovRAMP alignment as a statewide standard and setting a model for government cybersecurity leadership nationwide.
Governor, State of Indiana
Governor Mike Braun is the Governor of the State of Indiana and a former entrepreneur with deep experience in business and public service. Before entering government, Braun built and led a successful manufacturing company, bringing a practical, results-driven approach to leadership.
He previously served as a United States Senator, where he emphasized accountability, efficiency, and empowering states to manage risk and innovation effectively. As governor, Braun has prioritized strengthening Indiana’s cybersecurity posture and advancing coordinated, risk-based approaches to securing government systems.
Governor Braun was awarded the 2025 GovRAMP Founders Award in recognition of his leadership in issuing Indiana’s statewide cybersecurity executive order and his commitment to advancing standardized, collaborative cyber risk management across the public sector.
Recognized for co-founding GovRAMP and leading Arizona’s early statewide adoption of cybersecurity standards, advancing collaboration between state agencies and cloud providers.
GovRAMP Co-Founder & President | Chief Information Officer, State of Arizona
J.R. Sloan is a seasoned leader with over 20 years in technology and 15 years in product and program management. As Arizona’s State CIO, he oversees technology, innovation, and IT policies and chairs the State’s Information Technology Authorization Committee (ITAC).
Before his state role, J.R. held various operational and executive positions in enterprise software, specializing in engineering, product management, and customer service. He excels in leading cross-functional teams, building consensus, and achieving strategic goals.
J.R. holds certifications in Pragmatic Marketing and Product Management and studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Arizona and Architecture at Arizona State University.
In December 2020, J.R. joined the inaugural GovRAMP Board of Directors and now serves as President, helping standardize cybersecurity for state and local governments. In October 2023, he was named Secretary-Treasurer of NASCIO’s Executive Committee and was also recognized as a 2023 StateScoop 50 Golden Gov: State Executive of the Year.
Honored for co-founding GovRAMP and championing public-private partnerships that established a unified model for cybersecurity governance across states and local governments.
GovRAMP Co-Founder | President, Knowledge Services
Joe Bielawski is the President of Knowledge Services and a founding member of GovRAMP, where he previously served as its President. Joe is also the founder of RAMPxchange, a cyber and risk management marketplace that connects public and private sector customers with vetted cybersecurity suppliers. Joe is dedicated to serving those who serve others. His commitment to helping public and private organizations navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape was instrumental in establishing GovRAMP. Under his leadership, Knowledge Services functions as the GovRAMP PMO while RAMPxchange addresses supplier’s authorization cost and complexity apprehensions.
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