The Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council was pleased to honor a talented group of companies and individuals at its annual TechNite awards banquet, which was held at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center on April 22, 2016.
Nominations were accepted for six awards: STEM-H Educator, Entrepreneur, Innovator, Regional Leadership, and Rising Star. Nominees were narrowed down to groups of ten finalists in each category and then a confidential committee of RBTC members chose award winners. The committee was also charged with naming the nominees for the People’s Choice Award, as well as the nominees and winner of the Ruby Award, which recognizes a brilliant and valuable asset to the Roanoke-Blacksburg region.
The RBTC was honored to present the following awards:
- STEM Educator: Dr. Nancy Boerth (Montgomery County Public Schools), Shawn Burns (Roanoke County Public Schools)
- Entrepreneur: Nanci Hardwick, Aeroprobe Corporation
- Innovator: Synthonics, Inc.
- Regional Leadership: Marty Muscatello, Foxguard Solutions/Qualtrax
- Rising Star: Industrial Biodynamics
- Ruby Award: Dr. Robert Sandel, Virginia Western Community College
The RBTC also inducted a new member into its Technology Hall of Fame during the event: Dr. Joe Meredith, former RBTC President, and current President and CEO of Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.
TechNite is an annual celebration of the Roanoke – Blacksburg region’s technology community. The event featured Anthony Quinn Robinson, Director of Marketing for NewCity Media, Inc., as the Master of Ceremonies and special guest speaker Jonathan Hagmaier, local entrepreneur and long-time supporter of the RBTC.
After the awards were presented, attendees were invited to attend an after party held at the Center in the Square atrium and Roanoke Pinball Museum.
More information from TechNite 2016 can be found at http://www.RBTCTechNite.com.