The Utah Division of Archives and Records Service (DARS) is proud to announce that its Digital Initiatives Team has received the 2026 Innovator Award from the Conference of Inter-Mountain Archivists (CIMA).

CIMA is a professional association of archivists, conservators, historians, and records professionals from Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, and New Mexico. The Innovator Award recognizes archivists who demonstrate creativity and innovation in developing solutions that improve archival work and public service. The award was presented during CIMA’s annual conference in Cedar City, Utah, in May.

The Digital Initiatives Team, led by Melissa Coy, Avalon Snell, Leif Eric Johnson, and Rodney Swaner, was recognized for its leadership in modernizing the Archives’ digital services and preparing the agency for the future. Over the past several years, the team has played a central role in expanding online access to records, developing the infrastructure needed to preserve government records that originate in digital formats, and guiding the Archives through significant organizational and technological changes.

As more government business is conducted electronically, preserving digital records presents both challenges and opportunities. The team’s work helps ensure that Utah’s government records remain secure, accessible, and preserved for future generations while making it easier for the public to access records online. The award recognizes not only technical expertise but also the collaboration, planning, and adaptability required to meet the evolving needs of government agencies and the public.

Several members of Utah Archives staff traveled to Cedar City this year for the CIMA conference, hosted at Southern Utah University under the theme “All the World’s an Archive.” This year’s conference was spearheaded by Utah Archives’ own Heidi Steed in her role as CIMA President. We deeply appreciate the incredible work Heidi and members of our team put in to make the event such a success.

Utah Archives staff also contributed to the conference program through several presentations. Elizabeth Perkes presented “Processing Email,” which explored the challenges of managing large-scale collections of email records from across Utah state government. Genesie Miller and Jim Kichas shared professional development tools and strategies designed to strengthen workplace culture and boost employee morale.

Congratulations to the Digital Initiatives Team on this well-deserved recognition.