This year, RBTC will be celebrating 25 years of TechNite at our annual celebration of the regional innovation ecosystem and its incredible members. The 25th anniversary gala, sponsored by Woods Rogers, happens May 29—just a month away—and will be filled with celebration of a quarter century of accomplishments and of course this year’s standouts in the tech community. Our members keep us inspired and we’re excited to honor all the entrepreneurs, innovators, companies, leaders, and teachers that make innovation in our region so exceptional.
RBTC awards are designed to promote the leaders shaping our community as the nominees elevate the Roanoke and Blacksburg tech-based economy on a worldwide scale. We’re very pleased to announce the nominees for the TechNite 2025 awards!
Entrepreneur of the Year
Jessica Gilbertie, Qentoros
Chad Burchett, CAC Tech Services, Inc.
Arvin Gouw, Bacchus Therapeutics
Nanci Hardwick, MELD Manufacturing
Kim Snyder, KlariVis
Webster Santos, Virginia Tech
Innovator of the Year
Spencer Leamy, Corvus Labs
Jeff Liter, Luminary Therapeutics
Bryan Hsu, Virginia Tech
David Salzberg, Carilion Clinic
Sarah Parker, Virginia Tech
Chase Cox, MELD Manufacturing
David L. Ayares, Revivicor
Cary Hill, ITA International
Kim Snyder, KlariVis
Huginn Sono
Large Leading Tech Company
MELD Manufacturing
Cox Communications
Small Leading Tech Company
CAC Tech Services Inc
KlariVis
LymphaVibe
Regional Leadership Award
Spencer Marsh, The Tiny Cargo Company
John Cornthwait, Firefli
John Provo, Virginia Tech
Marc Nelson, City of Roanoke
Kiyah Duffey, Virginia Tech
Jonathan D. Sweet, Pulaski County
Don Halliwill, Carilion Clinic
Amy Sebring, Virginia Tech
Crystal Wilson & Amy Robertson Dornton, Veracity
Eric Patterson, Virginia Tech National Security Institute
Steve Morgan, Carilion Clinic
Aileen Helsel, Carilion Clinic Innovation
Rising Star in Biotech Award
Qentoros
Bacchus Therapeutics
LymphaVibe
Carilion Clinic
Huginn Sonography
Rising Star in Tech Award
Veracity
Qlutch
Allis Innovations
Angela-Pope Dickerson, BIT SWVA
STEM-H Educator (Higher Ed)
David Townsend, Virginia Tech
Christopher Arena, Virginia Tech
Gretchen Matthews, Virginia Tech
Len Pysh, Roanoke College
Tabitha James, Virginia Tech
Arthur Carter, Radford University
Peter Apel, Carilion Clinic
David Salzberg, Carilion Clinic
David Berry & Mallory White, Virginia Western Community College
STEM-H Educator (K-12)
Henry Bass, Automation Creations, Inc.
Megan Atkinson, Montgomery County Public Schools
Raymond Cotter, Roanoke City Public Schools
LaKisha Kyle, Roanoke City Public Schools
Sarah Gerrol, Roanoke County Public Schools
Phillip Ashby, Montgomery County Public Schools
Winners of all categories will be announced at TechNite on May 29 at Beamer-Lawson Practice Facility in Blacksburg. You won’t want to miss out on this very special evening. Get your tickets today!
