Daily News-Record
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tech Nite Set For March 5
Internet Firm Founder To Speak At Annual Gala
By Dan Wright
HARRISONBURG - The founder of a company specializing in the latest Internet technology will speak at the annual tech awards banquet.
Tom Patterson, founder and former chief executive officer of Herndon-based Command Information, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address for Tech Nite 8.0, hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council.
Tech Nite 8.0 is scheduled for March 5 at 5:30 p.m. in James Madison University's Festival Conference and Student Center.
Patterson has a passion for technological innovation, said SVTC Executive Director Nicky Swayne.
Patterson is executive director for the IPv6 Business Council, an organization that explores the business capabilities of the new Internet protocol.
An advisor to the federal government and the private sector, Patterson is author of "Mapping Security - Corporate Security Sourcebook for Today's Global Economy."
The Awards
SVTC is a nonprofit organization consisting of creators and users of technology.
By helping tech businesses grow and succeed, the council hopes to be a force in attracting high-paying technology jobs to the central Shenandoah Valley.
Tech Nite was instituted in 2001 to recognize technological achievement in the Valley, Swayne said.
"We need to honor and publicly acknowledge the people behind this technology and innovation," Swayne said. "We also want to raise the tech profile of the Valley in Virginia."
This year, 25 innovators, entrepreneurs and educators are vying for seven awards, including high-tech entrepreneur, high-tech company and high-tech leadership.
The awards represent a cross section of the Valley's education and business sectors, she added.
"We have a strong tech sector and a history of innovation," Swayne said. "People here are incorporating new technology into their business processes."
Nominees for the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council's Tech Nite 8.0 Awards
HIGH-TECH ENTREPRENEUR
n Steve Brydge, Brydge Works
n Franklin Marks, Marks Products Inc.
n S. David Tong, Premier Technical Services
HIGH-TECH COMPANY
n CEMSI
n Nielsen Builders
n Susquehanna Technologies
n The Hine Group
HIGH-TECH LEADERSHIP
n Justin Creasy, Immerge Technologies
n Robin Sullenberger, Shenandoah Valley Partnership
INNOVATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION
n Glenn Smith, James Madison University College of Business
n PRISM grant collaborators, JMU College of Education
INNOVATION IN K-12 EDUCATION
n Eric Benson and Chris Newman, Luray Elementary School
n Donald D. Curtis, Wilson Middle School
n Drs. Thomas Dillon, Harry Reif, and Daphyne Thomas, JMU College of Business
n Scott Hand, Rockingham County Public Schools
n Joseph Showker, Rockingham County Public Schools
n Dr. Randy Thomas, Page County Public Schools
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION AWARD
n Chris Beard, Staunton News Leader
n Scott Davidson, Craving Cookies
n DuPont Community Credit Union
n John Morris, Yoho Electric
n Virginia Industrial Plastics
NATIONAL DEFENSE-HOMELAND SECURITY AWARD
n Dr. George Baker, JMU Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance
n Retired Col. Dennis Barlow, Mine Action Information Center
n Wildlife Center of Virginia