Innovation Links Tech Finalists

By JEFFREY KELLEY

Talk to any technology executive these days about trends in the industry, and the word “innovation” is bound to pop up.

Using computer software and hardware to find better ways to do business is the one theme Robert J. Stolle sees in many of this year’s company finalists for the Greater Richmond Technology Council’s awards.

“It’s interesting that these companies are using this term and thinking in this whole mentality of innovation,” Stolle, the council’s executive director, said yesterday. “It’s important to note that innovation is not about cutting-edge technology” but rather using ready applications in new, creative ways.

Here are the finalists for the tech council’s 12th annual Technology Stars awards. Winners in each category will be named at a Richmond gala May 9:

— Cherry Bekaert & Holland’s Emerging Company Award: Packet360 Inc.; Snagajob.com Inc.; The Computer Solution Co.; Velocity Micro Inc.

— IBM’s Leadership Award: Joe Fay, program director of the state’s IT partnership, and Michael King, director of strategy and business development, Northrop Grumman Corp. Information Technology; David R. Lohr, executive director in the bioscience development center in the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park; Scott McKay, chief information officer and senior vice president, Genworth Financial Inc.; Debra Ruh, founder and president, TecAccess LLC; Walter R. T. Witschey, director, Science Museum of Virginia

— Parson’s Point IT Builders Award: Amentra Inc.; Convergent Domains LLC; Logexsoft Inc.; TecHead; Wachovia Corp.

— Strategic Staffing Solutions’ Technology SkillBuilder Award: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; InternDirect LLC; McGuireWoods LLP; Timmons Group

— Qimonda’s Technology Innovation Award: Agility Healthcare Solutions; ALTERthought; LogicDepot Inc.; Mediaflux; OTAir

— Northrop Grumman’s Community Support Award: Capital One Financial Corp.; ECPI Technical College; Genworth Financial; Oliver Creative; TecAccess LLC

— Computer Resource Team’s Educator Award: Daniel Bartels, Hanover High School; Maureen Carley, director of VCU executive master of science in information systems program; Timothy Couillard, James River High School; Nancy Hoover, Lloyd C. Bird High School; Steven Wagner, Highland Springs High School

Contact staff writer Jeffrey Kelley at jkelley@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6348.

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