The Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council holds TechNite awards

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) held its annual TechNite awards Friday at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.

TechNite is an annual celebration of the Roanoke-Blacksburg region’s technology community. Awards were presented in the following categories:

STEM Educator: Dr. Nancy Boerth (Montgomery County Public Schools); Shawn Burns (Roanoke County Public Schools)

Entrepreneur: Nanci Hardwick, CEO, Aeroprobe Corp., Christiansburg

Innovator: Synthonics Inc., Blacksburg

Regional Leadership: Marty Muscatello: CEO, Foxguard Solutions and Qualtrax; Christiansburg and Blacksburg

Rising Star: Industrial Biodynamics, Blacksburg

Ruby Award: Dr. Robert Sandel, Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke

Award nominees were narrowed down to groups of 10 finalists in each category and then a confidential committee of RBTC members chose award winners. The committee was also charged with naming the nominees for the People’s Choice Award, as well as the nominees and winner of the Ruby Award, which recognizes a brilliant and valuable asset to the Roanoke-Blacksburg region.

The RBTC also inducted a new member into its Technology Hall of Fame during the event: Dr. Joe Meredith, former RBTC President, and current president and CEO of Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council is an association of businesses and organizations in the greater Roanoke – Blacksburg region, working together to promote the growth and success of the region's technology sector. Its membership includes more than 250 organizations.