Organization honors local tech luminaries

The Springfield Tech Council presented its Excellence in Technology Awards at a gala Nov. 10.

The event held at the White River Conference Center included 15 awards presented to area technology professionals and organizations.

The awards, established in 2017, made a return after a two-year pause. The revamped awards include 15 categories for recognition, as opposed to five or six in the previous incarnation of the event, and were put on by Springfield Tech Council alone, without a partnering organization. The organization formerly partnered with Biz 417.

Council Executive Director Emily Buckmaster said she considered the event a success. Some 250 people attended.

“This is what we’re here for – to elevate and encourage the tech community,” she said.

The award recipients are:

• Solution Designer of the Year: Kris Buckingham of Heartland Business Systems LLC. Finalists: Ken Ballard of Pitt Technology Group LLC and Emilie Barnes of  TierOne Solutions LLC.
• Most Innovative Solution: CoxHealth, Gina Ellerbee. Finalist: Efactory, Rachel Anderson.
• Best Information Technology Project Manager or Coordinator: Kristen Petty, QCR Holdings Inc. Finalists: Chelsea Begley, Mostly Serious LLC; Natalie Beissel, FORVIS LLP; and Kim Roberts, CNH Reman LLC.
• Best IT Salesperson: Steven Huxley, TierOne. Finalists: Stephanie Kern, Losh Network Services, and Logan Swank, HBS.
• Best Technician: Jon Ashbee, Bayada Home Health Care Inc. Finalists: Steve Russell, Pitt Technology Group, and Tyler Green, TierOne.
• Best Graphic Designer/Digital Artist: Michael Peacock, TierOne. Finalists: Scott House, Andy’s Frozen Custard, and Matt Paasch, MLP Graphic Design.
• Best Programmer, Analyst or Developer: Megan Blevins, Midwest Interactive. Finalists: Christopher Baunach, Apex Systems, and Jack Horst, CNH Reman.
• Most Innovative Startup: WareHQ Labs, Ben Pomerenke.
• Community Impact Award: CoxHealth, Dr. Shawn Usery. Finalists: Mostly Serious, Jarad Johnson and Spencer Harris, and TierOne, Richard Reding.
• Technology Executive of the Year: Tom Douglas, JMark Business Solutions Inc. Finalists: Michael Smith, Next Level Solutions; Richard Reding, TierOne; and Andrew Dierks, Pitt Technology Group.
• Rising Star: Ethan Zitting, Midwestern Interactive LLC. Finalists: Zach Bradshaw, ZackBradshaw.com; Jesse Thomas, Pitt Technology Group; and Riley Grotenhuis, Midwestern Interactive.
• Best Technology Services Provider: Pitt Technology Group, Kevin Waterland and Doug Pitt. Finalists: Mostly Serious, Jarad Johnson and Spencer Harris; Jack Henry & Associates Inc., Rob Zelinka; and TierOne, Richard Reding.
• IT Person of the Year – Small Business: Michael Cahill, SW Business Solutions. Finalist: Kurtis Keithley, Andy’s Frozen Custard.
• IT Person of the Year – Medium Business: Maranda Provance, Mostly Serious. Finalist: Chuck Lewis, Pitt Technology Group.
• IT Person of the Year – Large Business: Simoriah Stogner, Jack Henry. Finalists: Jason Mendez, Bayada, and Mike Trantham, CoxHealth.