MTBC announces finalists for 2013 Tech Titans awards

July 23, 2013

12 of 48 will be crowned Tech Titans at August gala

Forty-eight individuals and organizations are one step closer to joining an elite group of people known as the best of the best in the North Texas technology industry. The Metroplex Technology Business Council has announced the finalists for the 2013 Tech Titans award. Four finalists were selected in each of 12 categories. One in each category will be crowned a Tech Titan at the Tech Titans gala, Friday, Aug. 23 at the Hotel InterContinental Dallas.

The Tech Titans awards gala is a black-tie event celebrating the achievements of cutting-edge leaders whose ideas have elevated technology in North Texas. The prestigious annual contest recognizes outstanding information technology companies and individuals in the North Texas area who have made significant contributions locally during the past year locally, as well as to the technology industry overall.

“Tech Titans is the premier recognition of innovative technology companies and individuals who contribute to the vibrancy and success of North Texas,” said Bill Sproull, president and CEO of the MTBC. “These pioneers are impacting tomorrow's technology today with their innovation, leadership and advocacy. We look forward to showcasing their groundbreaking advancements that are being made in right here in North Texas.”

For more information, visit the Tech Titans website at www.techtitans.org.

The 2013 Tech Titans finalists are:

Corporate CEO
Tony Aquila                              Solera Holdings, Inc.
Lance Crosby                           SoftLayer Technologies
Ron Hill                                   Goodman Networks
Gary Wojtaszek                       CyrusOne

Emerging Company CEO
Chris Drake                            FireHost
Chris MacFarland                    Masergy Communications, Inc.
James MacLean                     Geoforce, Inc.
Stephen Prince                       Optisense Network, LLC

Corporate Innovation
Alcatel-Lucent
Ambit Energy
Fujitsu Network Communications (Flashwave CDS)
Nokia Siemens Networks

Emerging Company Innovation
Estill Medical Technologies, Inc.
Loopback Analytics
Optisense Network, LLC
VEX Robotics, Inc.

Technology Inventors
Kevin Hamlen                              The University of Texas at Dallas
Larry Hornbeck                            Texas Instruments
Ross Teggatz and Team              Triune Systems, LLC
Yseop Team                               Yseop

Corporate CTO
Monica Martino                           Accudata Technologies
Vish Nandlall                               Ericsson
Shailin Sehgal                             GENBAND
Duke Skarda                               SoftLayer Technologies

Investment Catalyst
Frontier Capital
Optisense Network, LLC
Trailblazer Capital GP, LLC
Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas

Technology Advocate
Angie Chen Button                      TX House of Representatives
M/C/C
Dr. David E. Daniel                      The University of Texas at Dallas
Jason Taylor                               Code Authority

Technology Adopter
Baylor Heath Care System
Careington International Corporation
Cologix
Wingspan Portfolio Advisors

Community Hero
Valerie Freeman                          BravoTECH
Gail Houston                               Intuit
Sean Huurman                            GENBAND
Steve Steinheimer                       SSG Limited

Tech Titans of the Future – University Level
Bachelor of Information Systems         Texas Christian University
Department of Mathematics                The University of Texas at Arlington
STEM Teacher Development               Texas A&M University-Commerce
UTDesign                                          The University of Texas at Dallas

Tech Titans of the Future – High School Level
Chad Gilliland                                    Richardson High School, Richardson ISD
Clark Good                                       Berkner High School, Richardson ISD
Jose Guerrero                                   R.L. Turner High School, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
Ramy Mahmoud                                Williams High School, Plano ISD

Besides the MTBC and Title Sponsor Ericsson, other supporters of the Tech Titans Awards event include Fujitsu Network Communications, Huawei, GENBAND, Deloitte, AT&T, BKD LLP, Alcatel-Lucent, Korn Ferry, Cisco, and the Dallas Business Journal. Travis Wolff and Comerica Bank Life Science are sponsors for Fast Tech.

About Metroplex Technology Business Council
The Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC) is the largest technology trade association in Texas, representing a quarter million employees through its 300 member companies. The MTBC strengthens the North Texas’ technology community and its reputation by acting as the innovation hub for entrepreneurs, universities and corporations. The MTBC continues to prove that 'Technology lives here' by growing future tech leaders with its talent and workforce development initiative, advocating technology's advancement in governmental arenas, and connecting people and inspiring ideas through its programs and special interest groups. More information about MTBC and its annual Tech Titans awards gala can be found online by visiting www.metroplextbc.org.

Contact:

Amy Alexander, Director, Marketing and Communications

amy@metroplextbc.org, (972) 792-2862