Award Finalists
2023 Finalists
Community Hero
Recognizes an individual employed by a North Texas technology company for outstanding achievements in community service to the North Texas area.
- Charlie Bogart, Bridgepointe
- Britney Keepes, Toyota Connected N. America
- Alicia Makaye, GXA
- Swathi Nelabhatla, SheJobs
Corporate CIO/CTO Award
Recognizes the Chief Information Officer or Corporate Technology or Science Officer of a North Texas based company with 2022 operating revenue of more than $200 million for exceptional technical leadership that fostered the development or deployment of new technology resulting in significant value.
- Carissa De Santis, BRIX Holdings
- Lucy Mariappa, International Leadership of TX
- Pankaj Patra, Brinker International
- Janet Robertson, Raytheon Technologies
Corporate Innovation Award
Recognizes outstanding innovation and unique accomplishments through recent or potential breakthrough technology or approach within the technology and communications industry.
- Aligned Data Centers
- DZS
- Ericsson
- Liberty Bankers Insurance Group
Emerging Company CEO Award
Recognizes CEO leadership for an emerging company within the technology and communications industry.
- Joseph DeWoody, Valor
- Patrik Melander, Connect 5G
- Steve Miff, Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation
- John Ragsdale, TAP Innovations
Emerging Company CIO/CTO Award
Recognizes the Chief Information Officer or Corporate Technology or Science Officer of a North Texas based emerging company for exceptional technical leadership that fostered the development or deployment of new technology resulting in significant value.
- Ryan Bovermann, Leonardo247
- Joe Head, Intrusion
- Thomas Sweet, Industrial Refrigeration Pros
- John Woods, Third Wave Innovations
Emerging Company Innovation Award
Recognizes an emerging company for outstanding innovation and unique accomplishments through potential breakthrough technology, processes or services within the technology and communications industry.
- Connect 5G
- ENTOUCH
- Inbenta
- RateGain
Start Up Company CEO Award
Recognizes the CEO of a technology company with 2022 operating revenues of no more than $2 million.
- Jacquelyn Clayborn, ONC National
- Adam McAbee, StadiumDrop
- Swathi Nelabhatla, SheJobs
- Rahul Saini, Teliatry
Tech Titan of the Future – Community College/University
Recognizes educational institutions that encourage and support students in choosing engineering and technology-related disciplines as a preferred path. This award category spotlights DFW area higher educational institutions' tech-related curricula and incentives to perpetuate tech-related knowledge transfer.
- SMU Global, Online and Continuing Education, AT&T Data Science Scholars Program
- University of North Texas College of Engineering, Diversity and Excellence in Engineering Network
- University of Texas at Dallas, Comet Robotics
- University of Texas at Dallas, Master of Science Business Analytics Program
Tech Titan of the Future – High School
Recognizes a high school math or science teacher for the development and implementation of an innovative teaching technique or program that inspires student interest in math and/or science.
- Mohammed Abdelrahim, Richardson ISD
- Casey McCluskey, Lewisville ISD
- John Schmerker, Plano ISD
- Jonathan Yee, Plano ISD
Technology Advocate Award
Recognizes a technology advocate/champion for their outstanding leadership in assisting, advancing or accelerating the performance of technology companies and/or the technology community.
- Barbara Baffer, Ericsson North America
- Karen Bruno, Digital Conduit
- Sarah Crowe, The University of Texas at Dallas
- Deborah Sawyer, Vistage
Technology Inventor Award
The Technology Inventors Award recognizes the pioneering accomplishments of a person, team or group responsible for the creation of breakthrough ideas, processes or products which have advanced the discipline(s) of the arts, education, electronics, energy, engineering, environment, medicine, and/or science.
- Chris Godfrey and Bloodbuy Team, Bloodbuy
- David Lary, The University of Texas at Dallas - School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Samarendra Mohanty, Nanoscope Therapeutics
- Walter Voit and Benjamin Lund, Adaptive3D, Desktop Metal Company
2022 Finalists
2022 Winners highlighted in blue
Community Hero
Recognizes an individual employed by a North Texas technology company for outstanding achievements in community service to the North Texas area.
- Jay Johnson, Charles Schwab
- Danyel Surrency Jones, POWERHANDZ
- Karyne Nguyen, At Home Group Inc.
- Dylan Rafaty, C-Hear, Inc.
Corporate Innovation Award
Recognizes outstanding innovation and unique accomplishments through recent or potential breakthrough technology or approach within the technology and communications industry.
- Anderson Merchandisers
- Berry Appleman & Leiden, LLP
- Brinker International
- Toyota Financial Services
Emerging Company Innovation Award
Recognizes outstanding innovation and unique accomplishments through potential breakthrough technology, processes or services within the technology and communications industry.
- Aligned Data Centers
- Chargeback Gurus
- Kanarys
- Purewine Inc.
Emerging Company CEO Award
Recognizes CEO leadership for an emerging company within the technology and communications industry.
- Joseph DeWoody, Valor
- Rex Kurzius, Asset Panda
- Prasanna Singaraju, Qentelli LLC
- Srii Srinivasan, Chargeback Gurus
Start Up CEO Award
Recognizes the CEO of a technology company with 2021 operating revenues of no more than $2 million.
- Sulagna Bhattacharya, Nanoscope Therapeutics
- Dave Copps, Worlds
- Daniel Powell, Spark Biomedical, Inc.
- John Ragsdale, TAP Innovations, LLC
Corporate CIO/CTO Award
Recognizes the Chief Information Officer or Corporate Technology or Science Officer of a North Texas based company with 2021 operating revenue of more than $200 million for exceptional technical leadership that fostered the development or deployment of new technology resulting in significant value.
- Sumit Anand. At Home Group Inc.
- Gordon Mansfield, AT&T
- Pankaj Patra, Brinker International
- Gertrude Van Horn,NCH Corporation
Emerging Company CIO/CTO Award
Recognizes the Chief Information Officer or Corporate Technology or Science Officer of a North Texas based emerging company for exceptional technical leadership that fostered the development or deployment of new technology resulting in significant value.
- Corey Clark, PhD, BALANCED Media | Technology
- Joe Head, Intrusion, Inc.
- Matt Honeycutt, SmartMoving Software
- Rashmi Jain, Careington International
Technology Inventor Award
The Technology Inventors Award recognizes the pioneering accomplishments of a person, team or group responsible for the creation of breakthrough ideas, processes or products which have advanced the discipline(s) of the arts, education, electronics, energy, engineering, environment, medicine, and/or science.
- Bloodbuy Team, Bloodbuy
- Mark Harrison, Ericsson
- Samarendra Mohanty, Nanoscope Therapeutics
- Shalini Prasad, University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Bioengineering
Technology Advocate Award
Recognizes a technology advocate/champion for their outstanding leadership in assisting, advancing or accelerating the performance of technology companies and/or the technology community.
- Robyn Brown, Bold Idea
- Karen Krygowski Bruno, Technology Ball
- Quincy Preston, Dallas Innovates
- Deborah Sawyer, The Dubrof Group
Tech Titan of the Future – University
Recognizes educational institutions that encourage and support students in choosing engineering and technology-related disciplines as a preferred path. This award category spotlights DFW area higher educational institutions' tech-related curricula and incentives to perpetuate tech-related knowledge transfer.
- The Diversity and Excellence in Engineering Network, University of North Texas
- The Center for Robust Speech Systems, University of Texas at Dallas
- Microsoft Ambassador Program, University of Texas at Dallas
- The Sustainability + Development Program, Southern Methodist University
Tech Titan of the Future – High School
Recognizes a high school math or science teacher for the development and implementation of an innovative teaching technique or program that inspires student interest in math and/or science.
- Laura Bellone, Richardson High School
- Wenzen Chuang, Highland Park High School
- Rebecca DeLozier, Lewisville High School
2020 Finalists
Visit the gala Facebook page
Corporate Innovation Award
Recognizes outstanding innovation and unique accomplishments through recent or potential breakthrough technology or approach within the technology and communications industry.
- +1 Labs at Match Group
- BAL--Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
- CBRE
- Omnitracs
Emerging Company Innovation Award
Recognizes outstanding innovation and unique accomplishments through potential breakthrough technology, processes or services within the technology and communications industry.
- Asset Panda
- BALANCED Media | Technology
- Hedera Hashgraph
- Spark Biomedical Inc.
Emerging Company CEO Award
Recognizes CEO leadership for an emerging company within the technology and communications industry.
- Curtis Hite—Improving
- Teresa Mackintosh—Trintech
- John Olajide—Axxess
- Andrew Schaap—Aligned
Corporate CIO Award
Recognizes the Chief Information Officer for exceptional technical leadership that fosters the deployment of IT resulting in significant value for the company.
- Madhuri Andrews—Jacobs
- Ellen Barker—Texas Instruments
- Neelu Sethi—Reddy Ice Corporation
- Gertrude Van Horn, NCH Corporation
Corporate CTO Award
Recognizes technical leadership, team building, creation and maintenance of a creative environment, and market awareness skills.
- Corey Clark, PhD—BALANCED Media | Technology
- Amy Czuchlewski—Bottle Rocket
- Kate Hopkins—AT&T
- Kent Norton—Omnitracs
Technology Adopter Award
Recognizes a company whose core business is not technology products/services for outstanding adoption and application of innovative technologies to successfully change and impact its business results.
- Anderson Merchandisers
- Children’s Health
- Mr. Cooper
- State Farm
Technology Inventor Award
The Technology Inventors Award recognizes the pioneering accomplishments of a person, team or group responsible for the creation of breakthrough ideas, processes or products which have advanced the discipline(s) of the arts, education, electronics, energy, engineering, environment, medicine, and/or science.
- Ed Chao – Polte
- Dan Dickey—Continental Electronics Corporation
- Fred Hunstable—Linear Labs, LLC
- Daniel Powell—Spark Biomedical Inc.
Technology Advocate Award
Recognizes a technology advocate/champion for their outstanding leadership in assisting, advancing or accelerating the performance of technology companies and/or the technology community.
- Venture Mentoring Service VMS-NTX (UT Dallas, UT Arlington & UTSW partnership)
- Deborah Sawyer - The Dubrof Group
- Heidjer Staecker - TreMonti Consulting, LLC
- Stephanie Valadez- Per Scholas
2019 Finalists
View a press release for the finalists
Corporate Innovation Award
Recognizes outstanding innovation and unique accomplishments through recent or potential breakthrough technology or approach within the technology and communications industry.
- AT&T
- Insight Enterprises
- Nokia
- PepsiCo Inc.
Emerging Company Innovation Award
Recognizes outstanding innovation and unique accomplishments through potential breakthrough technology, processes or services within the technology and communications industry.
- 5miles
- GIACT Systems
- Nexeon Medsystems
- Razberi Technologies
Emerging Company CEO Award
Recognizes CEO leadership for an emerging company within the technology and communications industry.
- Calvin Carter | Bottle Rocket
- Curtis Hite | Improving
- Will Rosellini | Nexeon Medsystems
- Andrew Schaap | Aligned Energy
Corporate CIO Award
Recognizes the Chief Information Officer for exceptional technical leadership that fosters the deployment of IT resulting in significant value for the company.
- Pamela Arora | Children’s Health
- Sherif Mityas | TGI Fridays
- Neelu Sethi | Reddy Ice
- Gertrude Van Horn | NCH Corporation
Corporate CTO Award
Recognizes technical leadership, team building, creation and maintenance of a creative environment, and market awareness skills.
- Arjun Dugal | Capital One
- Mark Haney | Alkami Technology
- Kate Hopkins | AT&T
- Bill Lowrey | Istation
Technology Adopter Award
Recognizes a company whose core business is not technology products/services for outstanding adoption and application of innovative technologies to successfully change and impact its business results.
- Cinemark Theatres
- Rebel Athletic
- Signature Pointe
- TGI Fridays
Technology Inventor Award
The Technology Inventors Award recognizes the pioneering accomplishments of a person, team or group responsible for the creation of breakthrough ideas, processes or products which have advanced the discipline(s) of the arts, education, electronics, energy, engineering, environment, medicine, and/or science.
- Corey Clark, Ph.D., BALANCED Media | Technology
- Ken Moore | Spark Connected
- Rym Zalila-Wenkstern, Ph.D. | The University of Texas at Dallas
- Muthu Wijesundara, Ph.D. | The University of Texas at Arlington
Technology Advocate Award
Recognizes a technology advocate/champion for their outstanding leadership in assisting, advancing or accelerating the performance of technology companies and/or the technology community.
- Kedreon Cole | Scoreboard Ventures
- Tom Edwards | BlackFin360
- Hilda Galvan | Jones Day
- Hope Shimabuku | Texas U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Investment Catalyst Award
Recognizes a significant investment transaction occurring since January 2018 that impacts and delivers significant long-term economic prosperity and sustainable economic results for the Metroplex and improves the technology innovation investment climate of the region.
- Blue Star Innovation Partners
- Dumb Money
- Perot Jain
- TWV Capital
Community Hero Award
This award recognizes an individual within the technology industry for their outstanding achievements in community involvement.
- Jorge Corral | Accenture
- Shanthi Rajaram | Amazech Solutions
- Bob Sawler | The Realtime Group
- Chris Skaggs | TSP
Tech Titans of the Future - High School Math/Science Teacher Award
Recognizes a high school math or science teacher for the development and implementation of an innovative teaching technique or program that inspires student interest in math and/or science.
- Morris Goldade | Wylie High
- Leigh Ann Mitchell | Lewisville High
- Jared Stites | Hebron High
- Lisa Wong | Trinity Christian Academy
Tech Titans of the Future - University Level Award
Recognizes educational institutions that encourage and support students in choosing engineering and technology-related disciplines as a preferred path. This award category spotlights DFW area higher educational institutions' tech-related curricula and incentives to perpetuate tech-related knowledge transfer.
- Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | The University of Texas at Dallas
- M.S. Physics with Teaching Emphasis | Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Reconfigurable Computing Lab | University of North Texas
- UTDesign EPICS | The University of Texas at Dallas