Once a year, the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council (SVTC) takes the time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of technology firms, organizations and programs in the region and the entrepreneurs and innovators behind those successes. This year’s twelfth annual technology awards gala, Tech Nite 12, took place on May 2nd at James Madison University in front of 250 local technology users and creators.
During the 2012 competition, SVTC accepted nominations for thirty-three individuals, companies, organizations and programs that best exemplified the local Shenandoah Valley spirit of technological entrepreneurialism and innovation. Nominees competed for seven awards, were judged by a panel of judges, and the suspense finally came to an end on May 2nd when the winners were named during dinner. A summary of achievements for these innovators are posted on the SVTC website Tech Nite pages at www.svtc-va.org.
The winners for the Tech Nite 12 are:
Wharton Aldhizer and Weaver PLC’s HIGH TECH COMPANY AWARD
Honors the company whose growth, accomplishments, or prospects represent a significant technological contribution to the Valley.
· Dynamic Aviation
JMU College of Business & JMU College of Integrated Science and Technology’s
HIGH TECH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Recipient has successfully organized, developed, or managed a technology concept into a commercial product or service.
· Hiram Tackett and Bill Tolbert, Vision Technology Group
LeClairRyan’s
DR. NOFTSINGER LEADERSHIP AWARD
Recipient’s leadership has served as a catalyst for positive technology-related activity.
· Joseph Paxton, Rockingham County
· Kurt Plowman, City of Staunton
Lumos Networks INNOVATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION AWARD
Honors innovative use and/or development of technology in higher education and training.
· Dr. Louise Temple, James Madison University, Integrated Science & Technology
Verizon’s INNOVATION IN K-12 EDUCATION AWARD
Honors innovative use and/or development of technology in K-12 education and training.
· Deborah Cross, Peter Muhlenberg Middle School
Center for Innovative Technology’s INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION AWARD
Honors innovative use of technology in more traditional industries, such as agriculture or manufacturing.
· NIBCO of Virginia, Copper T Fitting Team
JMU Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance’s GREEN AWARD
Honors an area technology company, university, individual or organization, who is making an impact on our region through top-notch green practices.
· Jim Hartman, Truck Enterprises, Inc.
The evening’s keynote was delivered by the first-ever female keynote speaker for Tech Nite, Amy Michtich, vice president of the MillerCoors Shenandoah Brewery who discussed how the company designed the highly automated brewery near Elkton.
The council thanks the following for their support of technology growth in the Shenandoah Valley through their sponsorship of this year’s gala: Blue Ridge Community College, Cadence, Inc., Center for Innovative Technology, City of Harrisonburg, Daily News-Record, DIGICO Shoot I Post I Design, Dynamic Aviation, Harrisonburg City Public Schools, Hollister Incorporated, JMU College of Business & JMU College of Integrated Science and Technology, JMU College of Education, JMU Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance, JMU Research and Public Service & SRI International, LeClairRyan, Lumos Networks, Rockingham County, Michael Scharf, Serco, Inc., Verizon, Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC.
The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council (SVTC) is a membership organization serving the greater Shenandoah Valley. Its members are creators and users of technology who gather together for education, networking and business development. By helping technology businesses in the area succeed and grow, the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council is an integral component in helping to bring high-paying technology jobs to the region. The SVTC website is the source for business and technology information in the Valley. Visit
http://www.svtc-va.org to sign up for its weekly electronic newsletter and check the business calendar at www.svtc-va.org.
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