William Risso retired as Acting Director of the Division of Computer Research and Technology (DCRT) at the end of December. "Bill has provided a steady hand and exceptional leadership and support in guiding DCRT through some tumultuous times over the past several years," said Perry Plexico, chief of the DCRT branch that operates the NIH Computer Center. Perry then added a sentiment the staff shares, "We will miss you."

Risso oversaw DCRT's transition to a major federal data center. As deputy director from 1991 to 1996, he sought new ways to apply computing to NIH's business processes. During a 30-year NIH career he called "absolutely fascinating," Risso's assignments included writing operating systems, designing electronics, and working with CAT scanners.
 
As a member of the NIH Information Technology Central Committee, he also helped forge recommendations for NIH Director Dr. Harold Varmus on the security, operations and organization of information technology at NIH. Risso contributed immeasurably to the professional management of a first-class data center during a period of rapid changes in computing technologies, governmental policies, and the explosively developing Web, which he saw as an excellent way to access critical enterprise applications.

Around the NIH campus you couldn't miss Bill Risso—a tall, distinguished man. As we ready ourselves for the next millennium, Risso's accomplishments will cast even longer shadows than he does himself. He will be missed.