Local leaders who have made exceptional achievements in technology will be recognized at the upcoming 7th Annual Technology Excellence (TechX) Awards, presented by the Chattanooga Technology Council (ChaTech). 

The 2026 TechX Awards finalists are: 

CxO Leader of the Year Award (Sponsored by CGI) 
- Shelia Anderson - Unum Group 
- Tim Coy - Gumption Technologies 
- Annea Robinson - City of Chattanooga 

Tech Company of the Year Award  
- Fabricators, Inc. 
- TEKsystems 

Early Innovator Award (Sponsored by Unum Group) 
- Brooks Band by Sensory Bridges 
- Conduit by Wyre 
- DAN AI by Paragon 
- TN Quantum Works by Thinking Media 

Tech for Good Award  
- Advanced Dust Collection System - Fabricators, Inc. 
- Out of Pocket Maximum - Vineel Arekapudi 
- SheBuilds Chattanooga - SheSteam 

AI Innovation Award (Sponsored by Kenco Group) 
- Jessica Holloway - Hamilton County Schools 
- Vijayalakshmi K Kumarasamy - UTC 
- Maneesha Vanga - UTC 

Woman in Tech Leadership Award (Sponsored by TEKsystems) 
- Laura Crumbley - innovAIT 
- Annea Robinson - City of Chattanooga 
- Debbie Thornbury - Unum Group 

Project of the Year Award 
- Autonomous Driving Testbed - Maneesha Vanga, UTC 
- Data Center Migration - Justin Porter, Unum Group 
- Technology Business Management Foundation - Justin Porter, Unum Group 

Tech Educator of the Year Award 
- Bradley Harris - University of TN at Chattanooga 
- Norman Saied - Chattanooga State Community College 
- Dwight Watt - GA Northwestern Technical College 

Tech Manager of the Year Award  
- Jacob Burgin - Unum Group 
- Mayank Patel - Fabricators, Inc. 
- Justin Porter - Unum Group 

“The TechX Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the people and organizations whose ideas, leadership and innovation are moving Chattanooga’s technology community forward,” said Karen Walker, senior vice president of Technology Solutions and chair of the ChaTech board of directors.

“This year’s finalists reflect the incredible talent we have across our region, and we’re proud to recognize not only what they have accomplished, but the impact their work is having on our community and its future.” 

The winners will be announced at the 2026 TechX Awards ceremony, taking place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24 at The Wolford Family Athletic Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Individual tickets and tables are now available for purchase and limited sponsorship opportunities are available. To learn more, visit chatech.org/techx.