CxO Leader of the Year Award

Sponsored By

Recognizes an outstanding technology leader at the VP or C-level who has spearheaded impactful initiatives, driven innovation, and fostered a supportive company culture.

WINNER: Deb Socia, The Enterprise Center

Deb has expanded her organization from a local initiative to a state-wide program, improving digital access and inclusivity in tech for thousands of low-income students.

Early Innovator Award

Sponsored By

Celebrates an individual or a team with a breakthrough technology idea or prototype, displaying the potential for significant competitive advantage or industry disruption.



WINNER - Shappi

Shappi is revolutionizing cross-border logistics with a solution that connects Latin American consumers to U.S. products faster and more affordably by leveraging returning Verified Travelers.

Tech Company of the Year

Sponsored By

Honors a Chattanooga-based or Chattanooga-focused company demonstrating exceptional growth, innovation, and a positive impact on the local tech ecosystem.

WINNER - WYRE Technology

WYRE Technology is a fast-growing managed services provider, who has increased revenue, expanded its team, and secured major partnerships. Their people-centered service model and cutting-edge solutions stand out. 

Tech for Good Award

Sponsored By

Spotlights a technology initiative driven by a social mission that demonstrates measurable impact on the Chattanooga community and addresses pressing societal challenges.

WINNER - Gig City Girls

Gig City Girls has empowered young girls to pursue STEM careers, growing a small coding club into a program across 30 schools. Their work has inspired hundreds of future female technologists.

Software Engineering Excellence Award

Sponsored By

Spotlights an exceptional software engineer who has advanced the field through technical prowess, creativity, and contributions to significant software projects.

WINNER - James Aden, CGI

James transformed a struggling project into a success, leading a demoralized team to deliver results. Their leadership not only improved efficiency but empowered their team.

DEI Champion in Tech Award

Celebrates an individual, team, or organization that has made exceptional strides in fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within Chattanooga's tech community.

WINNER - Stacy Hill, Persevere

Stacy has dedicated their career to providing underrepresented groups with access to tech education and jobs, creating pathways for a more diverse workforce.

AI/ML/BI Excellence Award

Sponsored By

Honors an individual or team demonstrating outstanding use of AI, machine learning, or business intelligence to solve real-world problems, drive innovation, and achieve measurable results.

WINNER - Vijayalakshmi K Kumarasamy, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Viji used advanced machine learning to optimize traffic signals, reducing congestion and improving safety. Their innovative approach is shaping smarter cities, and they are committed to mentoring students.

Woman in Tech Leadership Award

Sponsored By

Recognizes a woman in technology who exemplifies leadership and vision and drives measurable impact within her team, organization, and the Chattanooga tech community.

WINNER - Chantée Boykin, EPB

Chantée reduced security risks by 46% and drives automation efforts across her organization. She is a mentor and advocate for women in STEM, creating pathways for future tech leaders.

DevOps Excellence Award

Highlights an individual or team excelling in cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-quality technology solutions through agile, DevOps-inspired approaches.



WINNER - Dan Cook

Dan transformed their organization’s software delivery, moving from annual releases to weekly. They improved processes, reduced failure rates, and contributed to the DevOps community by organizing conferences and mentoring others.

Tech Marketing Excellence Award

Honors a tech marketing professional or team that has demonstrated strategic success, creativity, and measurable impact in promoting a tech product, service, or brand.

WINNER - Allison Satterfield - Particle31

Allison blends creativity, technology, and strategy to make a significant impact in life sciences marketing, helping startups build powerful brands. Her social-good initiatives, like Pass the Impact, further highlight her commitment.

Tech Educator of ​the Year Award

Sponsored By

Recognizes an educator who inspires students, develops innovative tech curricula, and makes a lasting contribution to Chattanooga's tech talent pipeline.

WINNER - Emily Ann McDonald, Hamilton County Schools

Emily uses technology to make math come alive, incorporating coding and data visualization to help students grasp complex concepts. She’s inspired her students and shared her methods with fellow educators, presenting at conferences and mentoring new teachers.

Emerging Tech Student Award

Sponsored By

Celebrates a student, 16 to 24 years old, who demonstrates exceptional potential, technical aptitude, and passion within the tech field, along with a completed project showcasing their skills.

WINNER - Cecily Holland, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Cecily has shown both technical excellence and a commitment to helping others. As a full-stack software engineering intern, they developed a lead generation app that boosted their company’s efficiency. Balancing a full-time computer science program, an internship, and parenthood, this student’s dedication is inspiring. 

TechX Awards Winners