ChaTech announces finalists for TechX Excellence Awards
ChaTech, the Chattanooga Technology Council, has selected the finalists for its second annual Technology Excellence Awards which recognize regional companies for outstanding involvement, achievements and accomplishments in the Chattanooga technology community.
“Due to the pandemic, most IT professionals have worked remotely for more than a year, separated from their colleagues, continuing to solve business problems and keeping their companies working productively,” said ChaTech Executive Director Carla Askonas. “ChaTech is excited to celebrate so many creative and smart people for their achievements during a very challenging time.”
Among 62 nominations, the finalists selected for TechX awards include:
* For CxO of the Year honoring a technology executive for innovation, management and public service the finalists are Steve Hitchings of Kenco Logistics, Elya Kurktch of Unum and Brent Messer of the city of Chattanooga.
* For Data Analytics Leader of the Year, the finalists are Tanya Mathur of TVA, Tim Moreland of the city of Chattanooga and Neal Potter of EPB.
* For the Early Innovator Award, the finalists are Spot by Cortina Health, Future Capital by Future Capital, Safe Power Network by Hayden Data Systems and Materials Intelligent Catalog Assistant by TVA.
* For Infrastructure Leader or Engineer of the Year, the finalists are Jason Flis of Kenco Logistics, Shannon Hastings of Rhinogram and Samuel Neff of Kenco Logistics.
* For IT Champion for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the finalists are Kimberly Park of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Brenda Hoyle of Stratera Technologies and Kelly Nuckolls of InfoSystems.
* For IT Team of the Year, the finalists are End-User Services by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Kenco Logistics IT Team and Enterprise Analytics by TVA.
* For Technology Company of the Year, the finalists are CMAC Inc., Freightwaves and Skuid.
* For Unsung Tech Hero of the Year, the finalists are Jennifer Edwards of Kenco Logistics, Rachael Sauceman of Full Media and Dwight Watt of Georgia Northwestern Technical College.
* For most Impactful Project of the Year, the finalists are HCS EdConnect by EPB, Remote Online Notarization by SIGNiX and Materials Intelligent Catalog Assistant by TVA.
* For Software Developer/Engineer or Leader of the Year, the finalists are Benjy Benton of Kenco Logistics, Don Johnson of Kenco Logistics and Anna Sherman of Zillion.
The winners will be announced at a virtual celebration on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at noon.
Q Strategies adds Amanda Ellis as marketing manager
Amanda Ellis, formerly marketing and communications manager for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, has joined Q Strategies as senior manager of marketing and communication.
“Amanda brings extensive public relations and marketing skills to the firm,” says Kelly Allen, Q Strategies’ managing director. “With deep roots in the Chattanooga business community, she also adds incredible local knowledge and extensive industry understanding to our team. It is important for our clients to work with someone who is a leader in public relations and in building relationships in our community.”
Among her diverse roles at the Chamber, Ellis managed the Chamber’s “Business Trend” magazine and ChattanoogaTrend.com website, supplying thousands of readers with economic development news, local business profiles and more. She also served on a team that generated billions of national media impressions, positioning the Chattanooga region as a top location for business.
Ellis currently serves as president of the Public Relations Society of America, Lookout Chapter, the leading Chattanooga-area communications professional organization. She graduated from Nashville’s Belmont University with a bachelor’s degree in corporate communication.
Rikel Barrott joins Bridge Management Group
Rikel Barrott has joined Bridge Property Management Group as a commercial realtor for sales and leasing. He will work with investors and small businesses in the Greater Chattanooga area.
Barrott has a degree in business and construction management and has worked in industrial and construction sales for 12 years.
— Compiled by Brandi Dixon
Information about new hires, promotions and business awards should be sent to [email protected].
