AIM Institute tabs Union Pacific CIO Tennison as top technology leader

The AIM Institute recently named Union Pacific Railroad Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Lynden Tennison the "Technology Leader of the Year."

The honor recognizes Tennison's "national reputation as a visionary information technology thought leader, his contributions to AIM Institute initiatives, and his commitment to his community and his profession," institute officials said in a press release.

The AIM Institute is a nonprofit consortium of businesses, colleges, universities, secondary schools and economic development partners that aim to empower communities, organizations and individuals through information technology (IT).

Tennison has served on the institute's board for eight years, including three as chairman. He has focused on programs that attract youth to IT and engineering professions, as well as efforts to rebrand AIM and expand its offerings nationally, institute officials said.

As CIO, Tennison is responsible for organizing and managing the development, implementation and operation of UP's information and telecommunications technologies. The institute cited his leadership in the IT Department's usage of video game simulation technology for employee safety training, as well as his entrepreneurship and commitment to worker development.