bigal_nz: Seriously johnr - you know you will never hear the end of this?

kiwiharry: Winner is scheduled to be announced today.

Fingers all crossed for you John.

freitasm: Well, results are not out yet...

Edward Minnell may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound but to Wanganui primary school students and teachers he really is a true Superhero.

Minnell is the sole operator at IT Company Evertec Solutions. He beat 2000 other nominees to be chosen as the winner of the Kordia IT Superhero Award.

His prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to Orlando in Florida and a tour of the Kennedy Space Centre visitor complex. He will also receive $500 for an ‘office shout’ that will be donated to the two schools.

Kordia General Manager of Business Drew Gilpin says Minnell is a selfless specialist dedicated to helping kids get the best out of their IT activities.

“He could be earning big bucks in any number of corporate roles, but he has decided to dedicate his working life for modest rates keeping decile one and two school systems and computers up and running.”

Independent judge Sean Mitchell says Edward has outstanding support from his clients and family.

He was first nominated by his wife and the schools then piled on the support from there.

"While all of the 10 finalists truly are IT Superheroes, Edward was chosen because much of his work with underprivileged kids is unpaid, unrecognised and well beyond the call of duty.

“Ensuring future generations of Kiwis have access to computers at a young age is the best thing those working in IT can do. Edward deserves this national recognition,” says Mitchell, a respected publisher in the IT industry.

Minnell’s clients say he makes a massive difference in the school environment.

“These children often don't have access to a computer at home, and as they tend to be more ‘visually- oriented’ many of them start to really fly with technology in their hands,” Gilpin says.

Kordia devised the award to shine light on the unsung champions of IT.

“They’re often hidden away in a dark corner of the office and called on only when things go wrong. Edward personifies all that’s great about IT professionals in being a champion of preventative maintenance to ensure his client schools can get on without any IT interruptions,” Gilpin says.