Celebrating the best of the best in Colorado tech
The APEX Awards recognize Colorado’s technology excellence, highlighting remarkable leaders and innovators. Since 2001, the Colorado Technology Association has hosted this prestigious event bringing together the community and celebrating the exceptional people, companies and accomplishments of the year. We encourage you to take time to celebrate your wins – it’s important! Check out the 2018 nominees and finalists below. Want a closer look at the APEX Awards, check out photos from the 2017 APEX Awards, including on the Red Carpet.
Presented by
With Media Partner
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
5:30 – 9 pm
Seawell Grand Ballroom
1350 Arapahoe St, Denver CO
#APEXCO
PROGRAM
5:30 pm // Cocktail Reception + Networking
6:30 pm // Award Ceremony + Dinner
9:00 pm // After Party Reception – Sponsored By Crowe
AWARDS
Advocate of the Year
This individual’s efforts make a real and measurable impact on the advancement of Colorado’s technology industry.
2017 – State Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp
2016 – Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers
2015 – State Sen. Rollie Heath and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet
2014 – Representative Dan Pabon and Paul Washington, Denver OED
2013 – Rep. Angela Williams and Sen. Mark Scheffel
2011 – Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, Representative Carole Murray, Senator Cheri Jahn and Senator Linda Newell
2010 – Representative Mike May, Senator Josh Penry and the Republican Caucus
2005 – Brian Vogt, OEDITNot Listed
CEO of the Year
This creative, innovative and determined founder or CEO leads a Colorado-based tech company to success. In addition to the daily role of leading their company, they work to drive the vibrancy of the tech economy beyond their business. CEOs from all company sizes are eligible to be recognized for their leadership and contributions to the Colorado tech community.
2017 – Shawn Mills, Green House Data
2016 – Annette Quintana, Istonish
2015 – Dave Wright, SolidFireRupali Raghavan CEO Sairoop Technologies
Alan Curtis CEO Radar Relay
Dennis Robinson CEO XTIVIA
Brock Berry CEO AdCellerant
Andrew Funk CEO OverWatchID
Michael Simpson CEO PAIRIN
Pamela Glick CEO SyncHR
Brett Jurgens CEO Notion
Bryan Leach CEO Ibotta
Amy Zupon CEO Vertafore
Jim Johnson CEO Mobile Solutions
Yoav Lurie CEO Simple Energy
Chris Terrill CEO HomeAdvisor
J. Michael Jenner CEO NexusTek
Jarret Winkelman CEO Incident Response Technologies, Inc. (IRT)
CISO of the Year
Effective security is mapped directly into the business it supports. This innovative CISO has implemented a security program that accelerated the success of her/his Colorado-based business. Utilizing people, processes and technologies, this security leader has positioned the security program to deliver on the core mission of the organization. CISOs from all company sizes are eligible to be recognized for this award.
2017 – Matt Shufeldt, Cognizant
Robb Reck Ping Identity
Rich Schliep CO Secretary of State
James Carder LogRyhthm
Deborah Blyth State of Colorado
Company of the Year
This Colorado-based company’s overall performance sets it apart as a leader in its market. It shows profitability from sales of its products and/or services, strong financial growth or return on investment for its investors and/or shareholders, technical innovation and concrete examples of how it is meeting a need in the marketplace. The company also is a strong leader in the community and shows corporate responsibility.
2017 – SendGrid
2016 – ViaWest
2015 – SpotX
2014 – LogRhythm
2013 – Ping Identity
2012 – Mercury
2011 – Rivet Software
2010 – ServiceMagic
2009 – GTRI
2007 – Webroot
2006 – Webroot
2005 – Webroot
2004 – eCollege
2003 – FRxSoftware
2002 – DataTrend Information SystemsYouSeeU
Felt
Western Rise
Platte River Networks
H5 Data Centers
Madwire®
Gorilla Logic
AdCellerant
NewCloud Networks
P2 Energy Solutions
Apto
St. Vrain Valley Schools
Vertafore
Learn-Skillz
American Sentinel University
Ibotta
Mobile Solutions
Arrow
Funovation
Simple Energy
Pinnacol Assurance
Simple Energy
HomeAdvisor
Njevity, Inc.
Emerging Tech Company of the Year
This is Colorado’s most promising technology company in operation for 5 years or less. Each company will be judged on the initiative it took in creating, promoting or advancing the product or service offered; the technical innovation of the product or service offered; the need in the marketplace for the product or service; and the acceptance by customers of the company’s product or service. (Must be headquartered in Colorado.)
2017 – PAIRIN
2016 – Couragion
2015 – BluFlux
2014 – GeoPoll
2013 – Cloud ElementsPlayerLync
ThrivePass
Pax8
OverWatchID
Mantix4
Process Server Technology, LLC
Oracle
Homebot
Frustum
Swimlane
Invotra
Talent Champion of the Year
This individual’s efforts are making a real and measurable impact on building and strengthening the technology talent pipeline in Colorado. They actively lead and support initiatives that are helping build and ensure a strong local pipeline of qualified workers for technology companies and IT departments across the state. Local pipeline development requires a keen focus on inclusion and diversity, so the work of this champion should promote inclusive excellence through positive communication between persons of diverse backgrounds, demonstrate efforts to promote an environment free from bias and discrimination, and create opportunities to promote diversity, respect and inclusiveness.
2017 – Global MindED
2016 – CareerWise Colorado
2015 – Blind Institute of TechnologyLouise March P-TECH School Counselor FalconTech High School
Scott Laband President Colorado Succeeds
Heather Terenzio CEO Techtonic Group
Shari Plantz-Masters, Ph.D. Dean, College of Computer & Information Sciences Regis University
Patty Lopez Platform Applications Engineer Intel Corporation
Arlen Meyers Board Chair GlobalMindED
Arrow Electronics – Summer Intern Program Arrow Electronics
Heather Terenzio CEO/Co-Founder Techtonic Group
Alan Buller Intern Coordinator FEDC TechSTART
Stephanie Veck Immediate Past Director & Project Adviser Colorado Workforce Development Council
Sandi Mays Founder, CIO and EVP Zayo
Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement
This individual has made outstanding achievements and commitments to furthering innovative technology in our community and the state, and has contributed to the initiatives of Colorado Technology Association.
2017 – Andre Durand, Ping Identity
2016 – Lucy Sanders, NCWIT
2015 – Steve Halstedt
2014 – J.B. Holston, Sitrion
2013 – Dan Caruso, Zayo Group
2012 – Nancy Sauer
2011 – John Oechsle, DigitalGlobe
2010 – Nancy Phillips, ViaWest
2009 – Jon Nordmark, eBags and Wambo
2008 – Brad Feld, Foundry Group
2007 – Barbara Bauer, GlobalSight Partners
2006 – Scott Burt, Integro
2005 – Bob Ogdon, Swiftpage
2004 – Donna Auguste, Leave A Little Room Foundation
2003 – Wayne Berger, Solano Foundation
2002 – Donald J. McCubbery, University of Denver
2001 – Bob Newman, JD EdwardsNot Listed
CIO of the Year
This outstanding chief information officer (or anyone holding technology leadership role at a Colorado-based company or department) has demonstrated considerable ingenuity in leading an IT team and implementing technology projects that demonstrably improve the effectiveness of their organization.
2017 – Jeff Robertson, DigitalGlobe
2016 – Vin Melvin, Arrow Electronics
2015 – John Swieringa, CIO of the Year
2014 – Dave Anderson, CH2M HillJoe McBreen CTO St. Vrain Valley Schools
Brandi Vandegriff Vice President of Technology KPA, LLC
Suma Nallapati State CIO Governor’s Office of Information Technology
Colorado Entrepreneur Excellence
This entrepreneurial leader in the community has contributed to multiple businesses, with at least one as a tech company started, grown and operated in Colorado. They may be an investor, founder, coder, marketer, maker or doer, but this entrepreneur has a true passion to seek out problems to solve, and is one who organizes, manages and assumes the risk of a business or enterprise.
2017 – Elia Wallen, Traveler’s Haven & Hotel Engine
2016 – Page Tucker, ProStar Geocorp
2014 – Jeremy Ostermiller, Altitutde Digital
2013 – Peter Hudson, iTriage LLC
2012 – Bart Lorang, FullContact
2011 – Bob Ogdon, Swiftpage
2010 – Roy Dimoff, ViaWest
2009 – John Tredennick, Catalyst Repository SystemsMichael C. Wilson Founder & CTO PasswordPing
Bryan Jordan President VistaWorks
Sudha Chandrasekharan Founder Learn-Skillz
Shannon Block Founder World Forward Foundation
Emerging Leader of the Year
This Emerging Leader has demonstrated a commitment to the Colorado tech industry by showing passion for technology and making significant contributions to their organization or the industry overall. They excel at their role and actively seek opportunities to grow professionally and personally. This individual shows great potential to grow in their area of expertise and as a leader in the tech community overall. (Nominees must be located in Colorado and between the ages of 21-35.)
This is a new category in 2018!
Dani Fitch Chief of Staff to the President, Global Services Arrow Electronics
Amber Hollenbeck Vice President of Product Strategy Mobile Solutions
Samuel Thomas Elliott Business Technology Advisor Amnet
Project of the Year
This project implemented by an innovative IT department achieved successful, measurable results. Nominees will be judged on the following criteria: solving a business problem, strategic objectives, innovation, value/impact for the company or industry, risk-reward benefits, overcoming obstacles, meeting goals and team or internal collaboration.
2017 – Braxton Technologies
2016 – Arrow Electronics & Indiegogo Certification Program
2015 – DigitalGlobe
2014 – GoCode Colorado, Colorado Secretary of State’s Office
2013 – Governor’s Office of Information Technology
2012 – Pixorial
2011 – PEI
2010 – Lincoln Trust CompanyColorado Department of State
Camp Bow Wow
Denver Public Library
JBS USA
Media Audits International
Levels Beyond
Computershare Loan Services
Governor’s Office of Information Technology
City and County of Denver
Pinnacol Assurance
Mobile Solutions
Colorado Statewide Internet Portal Authority
Youth Tech Leader of the Year
This student’s efforts are making a real and measurable impact on fellow students, his or her school and the local community. His or her understanding, passion for and use of technology is exceptional compared to his or her peers. This Colorado student either currently studies technology or leverages technology through a club or community group to advance technology education and innovation in unique and impactful ways.
This is a new category in 2018!
Nicole Chen Student Cherry Creek HS
Shreya Nallapati Student Rock Canyon High School
Jordon Monk and Reade Webb Student STEM School Highlands Ranch
Crystal Garay Student High Tech Early College
NOMINATION FAQS
Leaders within the community are selected to serve as judges for their knowledge of the community and their ability to be unbiased to nominees. Nominations are given to them to review individually, where they score each on several criteria, then they all convene to make final decisions on finalists and winners. CTA brings these judges together, but does not make any decisions on winners.
Judges are key thought leaders in the Colorado technology community who have expertise related to the categories they are judging.
APEX is designed to recognize and promote the Colorado technology industry. To be eligible for Company of the Year and Emerging Tech Company of the Year, the company needs to be headquartered in Colorado.
GETTING TO THE EVENT
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts does have parking facilities nearby. Use this DCPA guide for more information on parking and nearby travel options.
Public Transportation
The Colorado Convention Center Light Rail stop is located 1 block away. Use the RTD Trip Planner to plan your route.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Contact Jason Delp at 303-592-4070 or jason@coloradotechnology.org.
