RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) on Monday named John P. McConnell as the 2012 Outstanding Achievement Award winner to given at the upcoming NCTA 21 Awards Gala on Nov. 8.

NCTA will recognize excellence in the tech sector in 21 categories during the annual event. The Outstanding Achievement Award honors an individual who has made a substantial contribution to the advancement of the technology industry throughout their career.

McConnell has been the recipient of numerous growth and industry awards including being recognized as one the top CEOs in the nation for stock price appreciation.

He co-founded Medic Computer Systems in 1982 and served as its Chairman and CEO for 16 years. McConnell led Medic through its initial public offering and its sale to Misys for $923 million in 1997. In 1998, McConnell became CEO and Chairman of A4 Health Systems, which provided electronic medical records to physicians and hospitals. He led the company until its purchase by Allscripts for $304 million in 2006.

McConnell has been an active board member for both corporate and non-profit organizations including Allscripts, Blackbaud, MED3000, WakeMed Foundation, and The Gillings Global College of Public Health at UNC.

“John’s career has focused on bringing technology into the health care market,” said said Brooks Raiford, NCTA’s president and CEO. “His achievements have greatly contributed to the growth of technology in our state.”

McConnell will be on hand to accept the award at the NCTA 21 Awards Gala on November 8 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Durham, N.C.

In addition, NCTA will present two additional individual awards, honoring former N.C. Senator Richard Stevens, who is being presented with NCTA’s 2012 Public Leadership Award, and to the Tech Executive of the Year, to be determined by a People’s Choice format through an online poll and announced live at the gala.