Learn about the finalists in each catergory:
Community Catalyst | Educator | Emerging Company | Technology Builder | Innovation in Financial & Professional Services | Innovation in Healthcare | Innovation in Manufacturing, Distribution & Retail
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Meet the Finalists Reception Photos
The IBM Community Catalyst Award Finalists
ConnectNetwork/Virginia Commonwealth University
10 years ago, Connect Richmond began to break down silos and connect people. Today, it has morphed into ConnectNetwork, a shared content management system and community-building model that includes 3 civic hubs in Virginia: ConnectRappahannock, ConnectSouthside and ConnectRichmond. Powered by web technology, ConnectNetwork continues to grow connectivity allowing citizens, nonprofits, government and business to build stronger, healthier and more civically engaged communities where every citizen has a voice and the power to shape the place they live.
LinkedinLiveRVA
Following the successful LinkedInLive “play it forward” model, Quinlan and Conein launched LinkedInLiveRVA to drive collaboration across the creative, technology and business communities in the Richmond region. Their one goal: to position Richmond as THE destination in the southeast for creative, innovative business development. Successfully launched in Richmond – Richmond became the 23rd city globally to join the growing LIL movement.
River City GiveCamp
Kahil Gibran said “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” River City GiveCamp (or “Geeks giving back”) launched their inaugural weekend event this year. Working around the clock in space provided by JSRCC, 50 technology professionals donated their time and talents to code and build tech solutions for 10 local non-profit organizations – As a result, these area non-profits were able to direct their financial resources to what is most important: serving and enhancing the Greater Richmond Community.
TechReach of Central Virginia
TechReach is a charity dedicated to technology. “Our goal is to increase the availability of computer resources for central Virginia’s citizens, particularly underprivileged youth.” They accomplish this by taking older computers donated by Richmond businesses, refurbishing them and passing them on free of charge to citizens in need.
That individual or organization that has made significant impact on the growth of technology in this region, and/or the advancement of Greater Richmond as a center for technology innovation.
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The Computer Resource Team Educator Award Finalists
John Clarke, Instructor, Deep Run High School/First Robotics Team 1086 BLUE CHEESE
John’s primary role at Deep Run High School is Career and Technical Education (CTE) specializing in Pre-Engineering. The classes I currently teach are: Introduction to Engineering (honors), Engineering Drawing/Design/CAD, Architectural Drawing/Design/CAD, Technical Drawing/Design/ CAD, Imaging Technology and Video & Media Technology. Next year Deep Run will be adding Advanced Tech. Studies, an extensive study in robotics incorporating engineering design principles, pneumatics, programming and parametric modeling/digital prototyping.
John has been Deep Run's head robotics coach for the last 7 years, coaching FIRST Robotics Competition - big robot) and FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge - small robot). Coaching this wonderful group of students is a year round activity on and off the field.
Dr. Lynda Gillespie, Director of Technology, Chesterfield County Public Schools
Dr. Lynda Gillespie is a visionary leader who has led the school district to provide and promote technology into the 21st century. Through a variety of initiatives Dr. Gillespie has provided technologically relevant tools and training for teachers and students to meet the goals of the division.
As Director of Technology, Lynda’s responsibilities include creating and implementing the Technology Master Plan, the five year operating plan for all of technology in Chesterfield Schools. Lynda supervises the work of the Centralized Library Services; Hardware, Software and Network Services, Video Technologies; Web and Database Services; Online Learning and Technology Integration. We plan, deliver, implement and maintain over 29,000 computer systems, a Student Information System, a television studio, the centralized library system, web services and classroom technology integration for 62 schools and 8 office buildings. Lynda is a member of the Superintendent’s Executive Leadership Team which decides procedures and processes around instruction and support.
Cindy Jones, Instructor, Clover Hill Elementary School
Cindy brings a unique approach to the gym floor. She has a passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and she states her philosophy in the Gym is “simple”: increase academic time, increase physical activity time – which in turn strengthens the mind-body connection which in turn empowers the educational process. In her classroom, students pull themselves up physically and intellectually – and they love it. Programs for which she has been recognized:
a. Teacher Physical Education, Children’s Engineering, STEM in the Gym
b. Children’s Engineering Chairperson at Clover Hill Elementary School
c. Design for Excellence 2020 Committee, Technology Education in Chesterfield County Public Schools (VA), 2011
Nancy Lee, Instructor, Midlothian High School
Nancy Teaches Honors and Z level physics at Midlothian High School. She has been the primary volunteer/mentor for the Midlothian High School FIRST Robotics team for the past 9 years. Nancy stated: “I do this because I am an educator – It is very exciting for me to see students find ways to learn. The First Robotics Program enables students to explore solutions to problems in a safe manner and it challenges students to try things they have never tried and develop the skills needed to meet the necessary task.”
Scott Steinruck, Instructor, Chesterfield Technical Center - Cisco Networking Academy
Scott serves as the Lead Instructor for IT Essentials, the Administrator for the Pearson VUE Test Center –(the only one of it's kind in a public school in the state); and as a Technical Communication Instructor working with students on essential workplace skills; He also oversees the IT Advisory Board which has grown to over 28 members representing 16 different companies/organizations.
Additionally Scott serves on the IT Advisory Board for John Tyler Community College and works with technology related programs including Va Technology Interns program, Skills USA, and the First Robotics Program.
That educator or school program that provides exceptional technology leadership and encourages students to pursue higher education or training in engineering, math, and the sciences.
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The Cherry, Bekaert & Holland Emerging Company Award Finalists
Fuzzy Logix
Founded in 2007, Fuzzy Logic provides products and consulting services that allow companies to solve problems by leveraging analytics. Their ground-breaking in-database analytics and GPU-based solutions allow customers to see patterns in their data and extract actionable insights. From 2007 through 2010, revenues grew over 500% and employee numbers quadrupled.
Impact Makers
“It’s an accepted standard of law and culture that the primary mission of a business is to make a profit for its owners or investors. Yet, not everyone think of business that way,” stated John Blackwell of the RTD. Case in point: Impact Makers, a competitive social venture of senior professionals providing management and technology consulting services while directing the company’s profits and pro bono consulting the nonprofit community partners. Founded in 2006, Impact Makers has become a national model of the social enterprise movement and the initiators of Virginia’s adoption of the “B” Corporation.
Morton Consulting
Morton Consulting is an IT recruiting firm based in Richmond. Founded in 2006, Morton recently made the Inc 500 list of fastest growing, privately held companies in the US. Over the past three years, Morton increased revenues by 709% and tripled its workforce. They describe themselves as “an IT recruiting firm that specializes in placing experienced professionals exactly where they are needed to make the most impact for a client. What sets us apart is the personal attention we give to each client.”
Vaco Richmond LLC
Vaco, an interim, permanent and contract placement search firm specializes in providing accounting and technology professionals. Established in 2004 as an LLC, the Vaco owner/operator structure allows more than 70% of the equity in the organization to be owned by producers and drives a passion for high quality caring and dedicated professionals. It has built a reputation for reliable, knowledgeable and affordable service making it a key resource for clients and consultants throughout Virginia.
That local technology company that has demonstrated recent growth in revenues and/or employees - a company whose recognized accomplishments and prospects demonstrates the ability to achieve commercial success.
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The PLANIT Technology Group Technology Builder Award Finalists
Fahrenheit Technology
Fahrenheit provides services and technology solutions to help organizations manage and grow their online presence. Core to the services they provide is understanding the demographics of the audience with whom the organization desires to interact and what that audience is talking about. The strategies they implement are backed by a cross-disciplinary group of professionals with expertise in the areas of training, communications, graphic design, marketing, strategy, data analytics, user experience and web development.
Fulcrum Collaborations
Fulcrum Collaborations is a business and technology consulting firm and ISV providing custom application development, licensing, service & support and evolution services to Fortune 100 and 500 firms in financial services, non-profit, healthcare bio-tech, manufacturing and government.
Fuzzy Logix
Founded in 2007, Fuzzy Logic provides products and consulting services that allow companies to solve problems by leveraging analytics. Their ground-breaking in-database analytics and GPU-based solutions allow customers to see patterns in their data and extract actionable insights. From 2007 through 2010, revenues grew over 500% and employee numbers quadrupled.
Power Distribution, Inc. (PDI)
PDI is a leading provider of power distribution equipment and services. With over 30 years of experience, PDI is a trailblazer in the design and manufacturing of intelligent, energy-efficient distributed power solutions. Headquartered in Richmond, PDI the No. 2 designer, manufacturer and supplier of Power Distribution systems in the United States – it is an INC 5000 company with 350 employees across 3 manufacturing facilities.
SnagAJob.com
SnagAJob, based in Richmond is the largest hourly-focused workforce management company in the US. The company is built around the philosophy of putting people into right-fit positions and maximizing their potential to lead more fulfilling lives. SnagAJob strives to provide the technology infrastructure and support their customers and Snaggers need to fulfill that mission.
That institution or organization that delivers technology solutions and/or services to internal or external clients that drive business or operational efficiencies.
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The VACO Technology Innovation: Financial & Professional Services Award Finalists
ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions
ClearPoint, headquartered in Richmond, is a national non-profit organization with a mission to nurture consumer health by providing financial education and no-cost budget and housing counseling. Leveraging its Solutions-Focused methodology, ClearPoint combined technology and social media to develop and distribute highly involving online multimedia programs to provide quality financial education that empower the “pre-aware” consumer.
EASY Software Solutions
EASY Software Solutions is passionate about building solutions that create significant value for its customers. timeshEASY, their 100% web based SaaS time and expense tool is such a product. The solution is specifically designed for staffing firms to replace paper timesheets and inherently inefficient processes associated with signatures and paper faxes.
The Payments Company
The Payments Company (TPC) developed a one-of-a-kind proprietary software and a network that allows businesses to pay vendors electronically and earn rewards for doing so– what is unique in TPC’s technology is the payment method decision capability and its model for credit card payments. The web-based application takes payment instructions from the client’s accounting system and determines the best method to pay.
Pixel Factory, Inc.
Pixel Factory, a division of Scott K. Brown Photography, has successfully blended the latest in digital technology with the timeless quality of traditional photography. Their image-management system, AssetVault, bridges the gap between IT and marketing departments and allows for corporate collaboration of image projects for public relations and advertising.
Virginia Credit Union
VACU, chartered in 1928, is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned solely by its members. VACU is the co-developer with Online Resources (ORCC) of a real-time online marketing solution called Custom Content Module (CCM) designed to individualize the end-user experience while leveraging the benefits of an externally hosted on-line banking solution. Custom Content Module was the first step toward delivering “really personal” targeted marketing. The CCM has resulted in customer growth and substantial savings.
That company or organization whose use of existing, new or emerging technology creates significant new processes, methodologies and/or services benefiting themselves or others in the finance & professional services vertical.
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The Cisco Systems & Packet360 Technology Innovation: Healthcare Award Finalists
Bon Secours Richmond Health System
In the past year, three of Bon Secours hospitals in Richmond and 41 practices representing 156 physicans began using the EpicCare electronic health record system. Bon Secours has branded the implementation of the system ConnectCare. Implemented in conjunction with a comprehensive quality improvement plan, ConnectCare provides a greater continuity of care as well as the ability to perform data analysis that was onerous or virtually impossible through its former paper process. The results have been impressive: BSHSI have realized a 34% decrease in hospital-acquired infections and mortality rates; emergency departments with ConnectCare report faster arrival to evaluation times and Bon Secours has seen a $3.5 mllion in total benefits realized through its rollout.
Capario
Capario enables healthcare organizations to expedite revenue cycle processes while improving cashflow, streamlining workflow and increasing productivity. Capario’s real-time processing capabilities create a transparent process from provider to payer –incorporating real-time transaction processing to electronic payment information to extensive business intelligence reporting. Caparios technology is perfectly situated to dramatically reduce the costs involved in the healthcare reimbursement process.
Castle Technologies, Inc.
Castle Technologies is a healthcare information technology company focused on R&D of innovative software solutions that prevent and manage chronic diseases through highly customizable yet cost-effective and rapidly deployable web-based technologies. Funded by CDC and SBIR funding, Castle developed and has deployed Web-AIDE? an enhanced care management system specifically targeting chronic disease care and management. Castle Technologies philosophy is to provide customizable solutions that can be adapted to a patient and provider’s needs rather than making them modify their behavior to fit the solution.
Data Blueprint
Data Blueprint, founded in 1999, is a Richmond-based IT consulting firm dedicated to assisting organizations in gaining more value from their data assets. The Department of Defense (DoD) Marrow Donor Center engaged Data Blueprint to design an automated workflow in order to save lives through system automation. The resulting product, Alletos, a faster, automated and seamless system provided a more simplified workflow and improved turnaround time between initial donations and full blown life saving transplants.
WellAWARE Systems
WellAware Systems develops web-based wellness monitoring solutions to provide physiological and behavioral data to caregivers and family members in support of higher quality, more efficient and less costly healthcare. WellAWARE Systems is advancing a movement focusing on improving safety and quality of care. WellAWARE’s dashboard allows caregivers to proactively identify changes in wellness indicators (i.e., sleep quality, activity level, bathroom visits) which improve health related outcomes.
That company or organization whose use of existing, new or emerging technology creates significant new processes, methodologies and/or services for the benefit of themselves or others in the healthcare vertical.
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The I-Access Technology Innovation: Manufacturing, Distribution and Retail Award Finalists
Blue Shoe Mobile Solutions
Blue Shoe Mobile has lowered the barrier to entry to mobile apps by creating an e-commerce platform which allow companies to create their own mobile apps for less than the price of an ad in the Sunday paper. Their template-based iPhone and Android applications, presently focused on restaurants, are applicable to retailers, large or small, who wish to take their goods and services directly to consumers who let their phones do the walking.
Charles Luck Stone Center
Charles Luck Stone Centers, a national provider of stone construction materials, have created digital marketing platforms that provide product information and trend forecasting for target customers in the Design and Architect communities in 90 countries. Our fully integrated technology and analytic tools that facilitate unified marketing and customer outreach has resulted in a 67% increase in credible sales leads.
Richmond Cold Storage
Richmond Cold Storage(RCS) is the licensee of ColdTrax, a Warehouse Management System used for tracking customer inventories and all storage and handling processes. Invented by HighJump Software, it is unique in that it is infinitely configurable by RCS. Founded in 1907 in Richmond, RCS today encompasses 11 facilities totaling approximately 40,000,000 cubic feet of warehouse space and is an IARW Top 20 North American Refrigerated Warehousing Company.
That company or organization whose use of existing, new or emerging technology creates significant new processes, methodologies and/or services for their or others benefit in manufacturing, distribution and/or retail.
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