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Volunteer of the Year: This award is presented to an individual or organization that contributes to Tennessee’s technology industry through relentless community involvement, leadership, visibility and excellence in economic development activities. Any individual or organization representing industry, government, or academia may be nominated. This award is limited to individuals or organizations residing in Tennessee five years or more.
Lifetime Achievement: This award will be presented to honor an individual who has made significant fundamental contributions to technology, either through a single discovery or a body of work. These contributions, whether they have been in research, leadership, or mentorship, must have had a lasting impact on the technology field and must have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to progress in technology in Tennessee.
The “Green” Award: This award will be presented to a company or business unit in a technology industry that has demonstrated extraordinary performance related to sustainable environmental practices. The company should have achieved significant business success, and technical innovation or scientific achievement in the past year and either the company’s product, business solution or the innovation itself should be environmentally supportive and sustainable.
IT Student of the Year: The IT Student of the Year Award will be presented to the student that shows academic excellence in the field of Information Technology. We are looking for the next prominent technology leader that has the ability to make a difference in the future technology landscape of Tennessee. Applicants will be judged on academic excellence and community and campus service.
Start-Up IT Company of the Year: This award will be presented to a new company that has shown exceptional growth and customer service excellence in technology in Tennessee. The company will have used technology in a new and innovative way/thinking to obtain success and contributions to the Tennessee community will also be factored in. The company must be registered and headquartered within the state of TN and be less than 18 months old on 11/09.
Innovator of the Year: This award will be presented to a candidate that is active and dedicated to the advancements of the technology community in Tennessee. This person will have made an outstanding contribution to the technology industry by the creation or implementation of an innovative product, service or process that enhances customer experience, corporate/business profitability, efficiency standards, individual convenience or life experience. He or she must also display a great competence in the aspects of the technology field.
CIO of the Year: This award will recognize the top CIO in Tennessee. CIO’s must have demonstrated leadership, driven innovation and delivered value to the business. These high level candidates must be leaders in their own IT organization and have made a difference in the technology field in Tennessee. Positive activity in the Tennessee community is also an important aspect of this award. Candidates should currently be CIO, CTO, or Sr. IT Officer in the company.
Social Media / Blogger of the Year: This award will recognize one of the next generation standout technology leaders. This award will identify the top Blogger in the region. Bloggers must have demonstrated leadership, community building and created a following for a business or a social cause. In short, have been leaders in their own organization and in the community. Candidates should currently be utilizing blogging tools such as Twitter or other well known social networking sites.
Software Programmer / Engineer of the Year: This award will be presented to the top Software Programmer/Engineer in the region. These Software Programmer/Engineers must have demonstrated leadership, driven innovation and delivered value to the business and been leaders in their own IT organization and in the community. Candidates can be employed at a company or self-employed.
