The Management Council has named Andrew Tompkins as the recipient of the 2026 Difference Maker Award, the organization’s highest and only annual honor recognizing extraordinary service to Ohio’s students, schools, and educational technology community.
The award was presented during the Management Council Membership Meeting on May 8, where CEO Geoff Andrews recognized Tompkins for more than four decades of dedication to improving education systems and strengthening support for schools across Ohio.
Established in 2019, the Difference Maker Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, foresight, and commitment to advancing education through the effective use of information technology. The recognition celebrates those whose work has made a lasting impact on students, educators, and the statewide education network.
Tompkins began his career at SPARCC more than 40 years ago and has spent more than three decades working alongside the Management Council and Ohio’s Information Technology Centers (ITCs). Throughout his career, he has played a critical role in strengthening accountability practices, modernizing ITC site reviews, and helping ensure consistency and compliance across Ohio’s educational technology network.
“Andrew Tompkins has been solving to the back end of the equation of student achievement and student wellness throughout his decades of service to the schools and children of Ohio,” Andrews said during the presentation. “His insights have been helpful in orienting ITCs toward continued improvement and performance excellence, and his impact has supported the Management Council in sustaining our mission to empower learners, teachers, and leaders to make a difference in Ohio.”
Among Tompkins’ many contributions was his leadership in improving the ITC review process by establishing consistent standards and performance measures for all reviews statewide. His extensive institutional knowledge and long-standing commitment to Ohio education have helped guide both the Management Council and ITCs through decades of growth and change.
“For his tireless efforts and commitment to the students and educators of Ohio, I am delighted to recognize Andrew Tompkins as our Difference Maker of 2026,” Andrews said.
Tompkins will be formally honored at his final official Leadership Team Meeting on June 26.
Congratulations, Andrew, and thank you for making a difference for Ohio schools and students.