Pankaj Shah, executive director of OARnet, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of The Quilt’s Dave Reese Distinguished Service Award. Established in 2020, the award honors individuals who have provided extraordinary leadership, support, and service to the research and education community and its stakeholders.
“Pankaj’s visionary leadership at OARnet and his decades of dedication to advancing research and education networking embody the spirit of the Dave Reese Distinguished Service Award,” said Jen Leasure, president and CEO of The Quilt. “We are proud to honor his collaborative approach and unwavering commitment to serving our broader community, which have strengthened not only OARnet, but also The Quilt and the national R&E ecosystem.”
Shah was recognized during an award ceremony held on Wednesday, Sept. 17, during The Quilt’s Fall Member Meeting in Dearborn, Michigan. The Quilt is the national coalition of non-profit regional research and education networks that provide advanced network services and applications to more than 900 universities and thousands of other educational and community institutions.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious award from The Quilt,” Shah said. “The Quilt has been an invaluable resource for OARnet and has provided opportunities for us to work collaboratively with research and education network colleagues across the country to advance critical initiatives that benefit our communities.”
Under Shah's leadership, OARnet has helped Ohio become a broadband state with an expansive network backbone and research and education services while partnering with private sector to create economic development opportunities. Shah has worked in the networking industry for more than 30 years, advancing IT infrastructure and broadband initiatives through work in the private, public, research and education communities, identifying trends in high-speed data transfer, videoconferencing, and hybrid networking.
Shah has served terms as chair and vice chair on The Quilt’s board and CEO Roundtable. Additionally, Shah represented OARnet on the boards of Internet2 and the Ohio Digital Government Summit, served on OhioLINK's Advisory Board, The Quilt and Internet2's governance and nominations committee, the steering committee of StateNets, and contributed to the Encyclopedia of Distance Learning, 2nd Edition.
Colleagues who nominated Shah for The Quilt award emphasized his transformative leadership, visionary initiatives, collaborative work with peers and partners, and dedication to public service.
“Because of Pankaj Shah, Ohio leveraged Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to innovatively expand Ohio’s network in underserved areas of Ohio.” – Mike Duffey, chancellor, Ohio Department of Higher Education
“Pankaj actively seeks grant funding to enhance broadband and networking capabilities for research and education. Under Pankaj’s leadership, OARnet has implemented the first quantum networking capabilities, advancing AI and space research.” – Ginger Breon, deputy CIO and executive director of research computing, The Ohio State University
“There is no better visionary than Pankaj. He sees beyond the horizon better than anyone else and easily explains what is coming or how to plan for it.” – John Ellinger, former CIO, Bowling Green State University
“Pankaj has a deep belief in the power of technology-based collaboration among universities and the networks that interconnect them and their partners. He has successfully led two statewide networks – LEARN and OARnet – in two profoundly different states. Within Ohio, he has developed enduring partnerships across all levels of education and state government, notably with both K-12 and the state broadband office.” – Steve Corbató, former executive director, Link Oregon
“Pankaj is probably one of the top people thought of when a strong leader from our community is needed. He has a diplomatic and fair approach that is valued by everyone who works with him and brings years of experience. He is not afraid to take an opposing view to encourage dialogue and conversation and will often stretch people who work for him.” – Kerry Mobley, president and CEO, Lonestar Education and Research Network (LEARN)
The Dave Reese Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of Dave Reese, a founding member of The Quilt who served in a number of leadership roles for the organization, including chairman of the board and treasurer. Each year, the award honors an individual with a demonstrable impact on The Quilt community with efforts that promote or advance the goals of the regional networks.
Since 1987, OARnet has delivered technology-based solutions that reduce costs, increase productivity and improve customer service. As a division of the Ohio Department of Higher Education's Ohio Technology Consortium, OARnet serves Ohio's education, health care, public broadcasting and government communities. Other members of the consortium include the Ohio Supercomputer Center and OhioLINK.
