Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

The Chattanooga Technology Council (ChaTech) has announced the finalists for the fifth annual “Technology Excellence (TechX) Awards.” These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, innovation, and impact of individuals, teams, and organizations within Chattanooga’s vibrant tech ecosystem.

The 2024 TechX Awards finalists are:

1. CxO Leader of the Year Award. Sponsored by CGI, the finalists are: Keith Hales (InfoSystems, Inc.), Deb Socia (The Enterprise Center), and Tyler York (WYRE Technology).
2. Early Innovator Award. Sponsored by Kenco Group, the finalists are: Erkan Kaplanoglu (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga {UTC}), Vijayalakshmi K. Kumarasamy (also UTC), Shappi, and Skytec LLC.
3. Tech Company of the Year Award. Sponsored by Fortinet, the finalists are: DC BLOX, Ntracts Inc., and WYRE Technology.
4. Tech for Good Award. Sponsored by Check Point Software Technologies, the finalists are: BlueSky Tennessee Institute, Gig City Girls, and The Enterprise Center.
5. Software Engineering Excellence Award. Sponsored by Insight Global, the finalists are: James Aden (CGI), Dan Cook, and Bryant Wooters (Datably Inc.)
6. DEI Champion in Tech Award. Finalists are: Thomas Cox (CD Tech), Stacy Hill (Persevere), and Irene J. Hillman (UTC).
7. AI/ML/BI Excellence Award. Finalists are: Cook, Trever J. Ehrlich (Kenco Logistics), and Kumarasamy (UTC).
8. Woman in Tech Leadership Award. Sponsored by TEKsystems, finalists are: Chantée Boykin (EPB), Daniela LaCelle (Unum Group), and Cathi Swanson (Text Request).
9. DevOps Excellence Award. Finalists are: Cook, Nicholas Cruz (Ntracts Inc.), and Kyle Prescott (Unum Group).
10. Tech Marketing Excellence Award. Finalists are: Chelsya Ashley (Cheya Media), Allison Satterfield (Particle31), and Angela Wade (WYRE Technology).
11. Tech Educator of the Year Award. Sponsored by UTC, finalists are: Karen Haynes and Emily McDonald (both with Hamilton County Schools) and Serkan Varol (UTC).
12. Emerging Tech Student Award. Sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the finalists, all students at UTC, are: Megan Burns, Cecily Holland, and Jeremy Stansell.

The winners will be announced at the “2024 TechX Awards” ceremony, taking place at 6 p.m. EDT on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at The Turnbull Building. Individual tickets and tables are now available for purchase. To learn more about the event, the award categories, and to secure your tickets, visit here.

---