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The 11th Annual Leadership Awards is April 3rd, 2025 at The Engineers Club from 4-6pm.

Register Today

11th Annual Leadership Awards Finalists

Outstanding / Innovative Technology Team

Fortified Data

Mile 2

Premier Health

Best Technology Services Company

CoStrategix

ATC

Back To Business I.T.

Technology Executive of the Year

Chris St. Amand, Smart Data

Jon Rike, City of Dayton

Kalen Howell, ChemStation

Emerging Technology Leader

Tommy Spijkers, Premier Health

Dylan Hall, Afidence

Searsa Johnson, CareSource

Most Promising Startup

Niobium Microsystems, Kevin Yoder

AXE.AI, Brett Ewing

Ayuka Consulting, Ashima Sharma

Unsung Hero

Gary Estes, Warren County Ohio Telecom

Sandra Wild, SOCHE

Vanessa Moon, City of Dayton

Technology Educator of the Year

Melissa Goodall, Miami Valley Career Technology Center

Kyle Jones, Sinclair Community College

Professor Amir Zadeh, Wright State University

Award of Excellence: College Student Project

Brandon Hubley, Wright State University

Corinne Torpey, Sinclair Community College

Kathleen Ahner, Colin Bramlage, & Jillian Dascalos, Wright State University

Award of Excellence: High School Student

Kasidi Daughtery, Miami Valley Career Technology Center

Declan Rhoden, Springboro Schools

Rhea Pasupuleti, The Dayton Regional STEM School

11th Annual Leadership Awards Winners
Technology Project of the Year
The McCracken Group, TMG

The Leadership Awards recognize individuals and teams who exemplify the values of Technology First:
Creating a Community to Share Knowledge, Grow Business, and Build for the Future.

Shining a spotlight on the contributions of information technology students and professionals, the Leadership Awards honors individuals and teams who connect, strengthen, and champion the best-connected network in the Dayton region. The Technology First Leadership Awards promote a vibrant Southwest Ohio technology community. The annual event is sponsored by many local organizations, including SOCHE, Dayton Development Coalition, Montgomery County Business Solution Center, and Project Management Institute – Dayton/Miami Valley Ohio.


Keynote Speaker
David Hart

Bonfire Builders: Inspiring Leaps of Leadership and Community
Join David Hart, a U.S. Army Ranger veteran, professional skydiver, business leader, nonprofit co-founder, father, and community builder, as he shares powerful lessons on leadership, teamwork, and the transformative power of connection. Through compelling metaphors of skydiving and bonfires, David inspires audiences to take bold leaps in life and leadership. He encourages participants to build "bonfires"—communities of authentic support, shared goals, and mutual accountability that provide light and warmth, drawing people together to thrive collectively. Drawing on his unique experiences, from parachuting into challenges as a Ranger and skydiver to fostering unity in professional organizations and nonprofits, David demonstrates how, like the strands of a parachute cord, we are stronger when woven together. This talk will leave you motivated to build bonds, create impact, and lead with purpose in your professional and personal life.


Join the Celebration at the 11th Annual Technology First Leadership Awards!

A night to honor innovation, connect with industry leaders, and celebrate the future of technology. This event brings together the brightest minds in technology to recognize achievements, share insights, and foster meaningful connections. Whether you're a tech professional, entrepreneur, or enthusiast, here’s what makes this gathering worthwhile:

Celebrate Excellence in Technology in Our Region

  • Honor visionary leadership and teams driving innovation.
  • Support and recognize the achievements of colleagues and peers.

Network & Collaborate

  • Engage with industry leaders, innovators, and peers.
  • Exchange ideas with potential collaborators or clients.

Experience the Energy

  • Enjoy thought-provoking keynote from David Hart. He will share his method of helping organizations accomplish goals through communication and teamwork.
  • Experience a night of celebration with the tech community.

Whether you're looking to gain new insights, connect with like-minded professionals, or simply celebrate the power of technology, this event is an opportunity to be part of something bigger. Be part of the excitement—let’s celebrate the best in tech together!


NEW Categories Available This Year

For the full list of categories available for nominations, click here.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Sponsorship opportunities are available, click here for options. Contact sponsorships@technologyfirst.org if you have questions.


Technology First is Proud to Recognize Our Legacy of Leaders!

Outstanding / Innovative Technology Team

2025 Finalist: Fortified Data

2025 Finalist: Mile 2

2025 Finalist: Premier Health

2023: CareSource

2022: WinSupply

2021: CareSource IT Team

2020: Sinclair College, Application Administration Team

2019: Midmark Corporation, Technical Integration Team

2018: Speedway – Team Insight

2017: University of Dayton – UDit – Safe Computing Project

2016: Speedway – Speedy Rewards Agile Project & Midmark Customer Tracking System Project

2015: Hobart Service

2015 Academic: University of Dayton Information Technologies

2015 Enterprise: Midmark

2014: Lion Protects

Best Technology Services Company
Previously Best IT Services Company

2025 Finalist: CoStrategix

2025 Finalist: ATC

2025 Finalist: Back To Business I.T.

2023: Smart Data

2022: McCracken Group / TMG

2021: Cincinnati Bell

2020: TEKsystems

2019: Smart Data

2018: Expedient Technology Systems

2017: Netdemics

2016: Afidence

2015: Mafazo: Digital Solutions

2014: Lighthouse Technologies

Technology Executive of the Year
Previously IT Executive of the Year

2025 Finalist: Chris St. Amand, Smart Data

2025 Finalist: Jon Rike, City of Dayton

2025 Finalist: Kalen Howell, ChemStation

2023: Jill Delaney-Shal

2022: Stephanie Singer, LexisNexis

2021: Christopher Kuhl, Dayton Children's

2020: David Goodwin, ATC

2019: Karl Konsdorf, Sinclair College

2018: Tina Bustillo, Pi-Tech, Inc. & James Alford, Montgomery County Data Processing

2017: Monique McGlinch, Midmark 

2016: John Huelsman, Director of IT at Hobart Service

2015: Mark Human, Booze Allen

2014: Steve Hangen, Mikesell's

2014 Community Advocate: Tim Hull

Emerging Technology Leader

2025 Finalist: Tommy Spijkers, Premier Health

2025 Finalist: Dylan Hall, Afidence

2025 Finalist: Searsa Johnson, CareSource

2023: Sudhir Kakulapati

2022: Cheryl Palafox-Stewart, Sinclair Community College

2021: Christina Sease, CareSource

2020: Nick Enger, ATC

2019: Nicole Robbins, Midmark Corporation

2018: Jon Scruggs, Hobart Service

2017: James Keating, DataYard

IT Project of the Year

2025 Winner: The McCracken Group, TMG

2023: MinedXai

2022: CareSource

2021: Kettering Health

2020: Hobart Service

Most Promising Startup

2025 Finalist: Niobium Microsystems, Kevin Yoder

2025 Finalist: AXE.AI, Brett Ewing

2025 Finalist: Ayuka Consulting, Ashima Sharma

2022: MinedXai

2021: Mile Two

2020: Recless Tech

2019: Ascend Innovations

2018: Global Flyte, LLC

Unsung Hero

2025 Finalist: Gary Estes, Warren County Ohio Telecom

2025 Finalist: Sandra Wild, SOCHE

2025 Finalist: Vanessa Moon, City of Dayton

Technology Educator of the Year

2025 Finalist: Melissa Goodall, Miami Valley Career Technology Center

2025 Finalist: Kyle Jones, Sinclair Community College

2025 Finalist: Professor Amir Zadeh, Wright State University

Volunteer of the Year

2023: Britlynn Reiter

2022: Lisa Heckler

2021: Paul Moorman

Career Champion

2023: Dayton Children's Hospital

2022: CareSource

2021: Expedient Technology Solutions

Award of Excellence: College Student Project

2025 Finalist: Brandon Hubley, Wright State University

2025 Finalist: Corinne Torpey, Sinclair Community College

2025 Finalist: Kathleen Ahner, Colin Bramlage, & Jillian Dascalos, Wright State University

2023: Matthew Cavender & Cameron Cross, WSU

2022: Ryan Murphy, Christopher Broach, & Madison Wills, WSU

2021: Pet Adoption Speed Prediction: A Data Mining Approach, WSU

2020: Timothy Haas, WSU

2019: IoT Laundry Monitoring System Team, Cedarville University

2018: Whirlpool Corporation Team, University of Dayton

2017: Bible Story Producer App, Cedarville University/SIL International

2016: MIS/Mikesell's Intranet Project, University of Dayton

2015: Clark State Community College

2014: Hanan Alkhafaji, PQ Systems

Award of Excellence: High School Student

2025 Finalist: Kasidi Daughtery, Miami Valley Career Technology Center

2025 Finalist: Declan Rhoden, Springboro Schools

2025 Finalist: Rhea Pasupuleti, The Dayton Regional STEM School

2023: Kayla Payne, Bellbrook High School

2022: Sha'Maria Barton, Miami Valley CTC (Northmont H.S.)

2021: Qiancong Li (John), Miami Valley CTC


Meet Our Partners

Our Cornerstone Partners share a common goal: to connect, strengthen, and champion the technology community in our region. A Technology First Partner is an elite member leading the support, development, and expansion of Technology First services. In return, Partners improve community visibility and increase their revenue. Make a difference in our region and your business. 

Become A Partner

Cornerstone Partners



1435 Cincinnati St, Ste 300, Dayton Ohio 45417

Info@TechnologyFirst.org
937-229-0054

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