Jim Mathews Award for Intelligence Excellence
About the Jim Mathews Award
Aurora WDC announced its intent of this award in summer 2011, when Jim was still in the industry, with the first awards presented in May 2012 in celebration of Jim’s memory and acknowledgement of his lasting professional contributions to the field of Competitive Intelligence (CI). Sadly, he passed away in 2011 before the first awards could be bestowed; however, when he heard of Aurora’s intent a few months prior to his passing, he was honored to know Aurora wanted to create a lasting legacy surrounding his industry contributions.
Having known Jim for nearly a decade, we viewed him as exemplifying the “gold standard” in terms of professionalism in the business and competitive intelligence arena. More so, he always loved to speak to students about entering and making a career out of the intelligence profession, and what a noble pursuit it was.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to advance your Intelligence career and education, and do so in memory and honor of a great and highly-respected professional.
Submission Instructions
The following are the qualifications the nominee must meet to in order to be eligible to be nominated for the Jim Mathews Award.
Minimum requirements:
Must be an enrolled undergraduate or graduate university student during the fall semester (full or part-time).
Important additional elements to articulate on behalf of your nominee (-s):
- Have a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in applying intelligence to developing insights about business, competition, customers/clients, economic behavior, and/or markets, among other relevant subject matter areas
- Show a strong appreciation for ethics & professional values
- Demonstrate leadership qualities within student or extra-curricular, community and/or professional organizations
- Display high levels of curiosity and persistence in your coursework and assignments.
A select group of highly experienced and veteran CI practitioners from around the globe, some of whom are members of the international Council of CI Fellows (see: www.cifellows.com – the sponsor of the Summit in which your participation serves as the pre-requisite for this award’s entry), have achieved success and hired practitioners during their careers, will review and rank the submissions. Your probability of winning is dependent on the number and quality of nominations submitted.
As a candidate for a Jim Mathews Award, you are expected to deliver the following to the review committee. Please send all submissions through via the automated submission system, or e-mail them to Dr. Craig Fleisher at Craig.Fleisher@AuroraWDC.com. In either case, you should receive a timely confirmation of our receipt of your application materials.
The application deadline is Monday, October 30, 2023 (about a month after the CI Fellows Summit concludes).
Jim Mathews Award Application
2023 Jim Mathews Award Winner
10th Annual Winner
Alexis Godfrey
This year’s tenth Jim Mathews Award for Intelligence Excellence (JMAIE) competition was one of our most interesting ones yet. Because we tied the competition into the Council of Competitive Intelligence Fellows annual summit, over sixty university students were granted various scholarships to attend and participate in the summit, thus making them eligible to participate in this year’s competition. Our winner, Alexis Godfrey, was unanimously chosen by the judging committee (comprised of CI professionals and Fellows, who I am again grateful to), who was not only impressed by her learning takeaway brief which will be shared with the broader community at some time in the near future, but also by her thorough and inspirational responses to our application questions which explore her professional aspirations and experiences at a deeper level. Having known Jim Mathews during his stellar career, I have every confidence that he would have been proud of Alexis and encouraging her to continue her pursuit of excellence in applying intelligence to the complex and dynamic challenges business and other institutions face.
– Dr. Craig S. Fleisher
This year’s Jim Mathews Award medalist is Alexis Godfrey. Read a little more about her below!
University: Georgetown
Program: MPS in Applied Intelligence Analysis
Capstone Instructor: Dr. Qingjiu Tao
In her own words…
I am thrilled and deeply honored to accept the prestigious Jim Mathews Award for Intelligence Excellence. As someone who continuously strives to enhance my learning, this recognition serves as a testament to the pursuit of knowledge and the relentless dedication to excellence.
Transitioning from a law enforcement intelligence analyst role, Georgetown University has given me the opportunity to expand my knowledge within the applied intelligence field and switch gears into competitive intelligence focus. Entering the competitive intelligence arena as a newcomer, I embarked on a path fueled by curiosity and a passion for understanding the intricate processes of competitive intelligence and how it shapes and improves decision-making and organizational performance. The 2023 Summit truly opened my eyes, further ignited my interest, and deepened my understanding of the current and future of the competitive intelligence field. As a master’s student, each day has brought new challenges and opportunities, and in this dynamic landscape, the Jim Mathews Award symbolizes far more than a mere acknowledgment—it is a beacon lighting the way forward in my pursuit of intelligence excellence.
For me, learning is not just a task; it is a passion that propels me to explore the depths of the competitive intelligence domain. Winning this award amplifies the importance of continuous growth and the acquisition of knowledge as key drivers in achieving excellence. My journey so far has been a constant push to expand my understanding, sharpen my skills, and adapt to the evolving nature of the intelligence field.
Being recognized with the Jim Mathews Award is a humbling experience, as it places me in the esteemed company of individuals who embody the qualities that Jim Mathews himself was known for. Jim Mathews, a figure synonymous with integrity, humility, honesty, and foresight, set a benchmark for excellence in the intelligence field. To be acknowledged for demonstrating characteristics reminiscent of such a luminary figure is not just an accolade; it is an affirmation of the values that guide my professional journey.
This award, beyond the honor it bestows, is a catalyst for the future. It is a commitment to continue pushing boundaries, setting new standards, and striving for excellence in the competitive intelligence realm. The recognition serves as both a celebration of past achievements and an inspiration for future endeavors.
In conclusion, winning the Jim Mathews Award for Intelligence Excellence is a validation of my commitment to learning, a reminder of the significance of being a newcomer in the field, and an opportunity to carry forward the legacy of excellence epitomized by Jim Mathews. As I stand at this crossroads of achievement, I am fueled by gratitude, determination, and a passion to contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving landscape of competitive intelligence. I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for Aurora WDC and the Council of Competitive Intelligence Fellows for presenting me with this opportunity and supporting me in my efforts to continuously grow and excel within the applied intelligence community.
-Alexis Godfrey
Past Award Winners
2022
Sebastian Herrera (University of Georgia)
2019
2018
Holly Schnader (James Madison University)
2017
Connor Hamel (James Madison U.)
2016
2015
Monica Perez (Mercyhurst U.)
2014
2013
Mary Kate Daley (Mercyhurst U.)
2012
Shawn Ruminski (Mercyhurst U.)
Biographical Sketch of James E. Mathews
James E. (Jim) Mathews spent more than 30 years in the Defense Industry, and the last 14 in Competitive Intelligence (CI) and Price-to-Win (PTW). His whole career was centered on winning new business and he was the Lead CI Professional and/or PTW leader/co-leader on some of the largest winning proposals his company had engaged in in his last years of practice. His resume wins included the realignment of NORAD and Cheyenne Mountain (ISC2), the Joint Strike Fighter (The F-35), Coast Guard Deepwater (Recapitalization of all Coast Guard’s assets), High Altitude Airship, the Littoral Combat Ship (fast fighting ship for the shallow waters of the littorals), War Fighter Focus (Live, Virtual, and Constructive Training for the Army for the next 10 Years), and a multitude of Service Jobs and Classified Projects. Jim was medically retired from the US Air Force where, at one time, he was an Airborne Voice Controller for the Apollo program for NASA.
Jim received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and a Master of Science Degree in Contract and Acquisition Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. Following a successful career at Lockheed Martin where he worked on supporting the F-22A Raptor fighter among other projects, he retired early in 2003, and joined Raytheon for just over three years as Director of Deal-To-Win, followed by Northrop Grumman TASC for 5 years as Director of CI/ Position-To-Win before joining Booz Allen Hamilton in December 2010 as a Principal on their GO Team.
He and his wife Bonnie resided in the Front Royal, VA area, and were die-hard Florida Gators fans. Jim had a passion for seeing young people succeed in their careers, and was always a willing mentor to professionals of any age who had a desire to learn.
