2016 BETAS Finalists

InfoTech WNY is proud to present the 2016 BETAS Finalists!

Category This award will honor and recognize...
Student in Technology

A student who distinguishes his or herself in technology studies, demonstrates solid academics, and possesses good character.

2016 Finalists:

  • Swati Satpathy - UB School of Management
  • Wendy Jansson - UB
  • Dana Voll - UB
  • Robert Bofinger - Canisius College
  • Alex Barganier - UB
Woman in Technology

A Woman in the Technology Community who designs and/or conceives innovative technological concepts that are proven through actual operating data; a woman who has accelerated and advanced her career beyond typical performance expectations (including work in the community).

2016 Finalists:

  • Amy Gordon - Ronco Communications
  • Katie Barnum - Girl Develop It
  • Dr. Glenna Bett - CytoCybernetics 
  • Louise Kowalski - ECC 
  • Annette Wong - Buffalo Lab / Coach Me Plus

IT Leader of the Year 

 

The Technology Leader of the Year award goes to someone who rallies the WNY technology community, leads by example, generates momentum through collaboration, and helps create win-win opportunities for professionals and companies, from start-ups to large enterprises in WNY and beyond. This deserving person is a self-aware, authentic leader who empowers others and promotes an awesome, collaborative community culture, and leverages technology to solve problems in the community and for business.

2016 Finalists:

  • Eric Nagel- FMTC, LLC
  • Clark Dever - Heads Up Display
  • Steven Raines - VCAMP
  • Jon Spitz - 43North
  • Steve Poland - Z80 Labs
Entrepreneur of the Year

An outstanding Entrepreneur in the Technology Community. To be eligible to receive the award, the nominee must be an owner of a company who is primarily responsible for the recent performance of the company and an active member of top management for at least one year.

2016 Finalists:

  • IVR Technology Group - Akash Desai
  • 19 Ideas - Dan Gigante
  • Buffalo Intelligent Tech Systems (BITS) - David Puehn
  • Thimble - Oscar Pedroso
  • Energy Intelligence - Daniel Shani
Best Cyber Culture

A technology company that fosters a creative, collaborative workplace culture that has helped them enhance performance and sustain a competitive advantage. Employees love coming to work and their customers know it!

2016 Finalists:

  • Loupe/City Dining Cards 
  • 19 Ideas
  • I-Evolve Technology Service
  • Independent Health
  • Liazon 
Best Emerging Tech Company

A company with an emerging technology. To be eligible the company or individual has a new technology that is currently being developed, or will be developed within the next five to ten years. The new technology can substantially alter the business and social environment.

2016 Finalists:

  • Thimble 
  • BAK USA
  • ACV Auctions
  • Infonaut
  • Efferent Labs
Best Mobile App

A company or individual who has an outstanding mobile application. We are looking for the best-looking, most intuitive, creative and unique mobile UI designs. An attractive and practical mobile UI design is essential to the success of an app. We will be paying close attention to the mobile apps that focus on user experience and interaction. 

2016 Finalists:

  • Shatter IT 
  • ACV Auctions 
  • Superior IT Innovations 
  • Gorbel Medical - Safe Gait
  • Emoji with Me 
Best use of Digital Marketing

The best use of Digital Marketing. Digital Marketing is the targeted, measurable, and interactive marketing of products or services using digital technologies to reach and convert leads into customers and retain them. The key objective is to promote brands, build preference and increase sales through various digital marketing including use of Social Media, Website and beyond...

2016 Finalists:

  • Freed Maxick CPAs / CSP360
  • Superior Group 
  • YELP! 
  • Nickle City Graphics 
  • Step Out Buffalo
Best Team: Healthcare

The best Tech Team in WNY Healthcare industries. Today's rapidly changing technology in the healthcare environment demands every individual and organization - whether provider, insurer, supplier or advocacy group - make a significant impact for all.

2016 Finalists:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield WNY
  • Independent Health 
  • IVR Technology Group 
  • Infonaut 
  • Roswell Park Cancer Institute 
Best Tech Team in: Telecom/ISP

The best Tech Team in WNY Telecom/ISP organizations. Today's Telecom/ISPs offer services that are just like electricity and water. What sets them apart is customer service, support, repair and response times. This year's nominees should go above and beyond in all areas of product offerings as well as outstanding customer service.

2016 Finalists:

  • Lightower Fiber Networks(Fibertech) 
  • I-Evolve Technology Service 
  • Hover Networks 
  • Ronco Communications 
  • Windstream
Best Team: Advertising / Marketing PR Media and Entertainment / Sports

The best tech team in a marcom /media organization. Does your tech team rock?  Do they do the impossible?  Have they put together a new platform, program, system, etc. that ‘couldn’t be done’, yet they did it?  Have they created a cutting edge tool that has vaulted your organization to top of mind awareness or the top of your industry?  This is a team that should be recognized as a platform to your company’s success.  These guys/ladies deserve it.  Tell us… 

2016 Finalists:

  • Fandoozy.com
  • Buffalo Bisons 
  • WGRZ 
  • 19 Ideas
  • Coach Me Plus 
Best Team: Legal / Finance / Insurance / Accounting / Professional Services

The best tech team in a professional support services organization. Does your tech team rock?  Do they do the impossible?  Have they put together a new platform, program, system, etc. that ‘couldn’t be done’, yet they did it?  Have they created a cutting edge tool that has vaulted your organization to top of mind awareness or the top of your industry?  This is a team that should be recognized as a platform to your company’s success.  These guys/ladies deserve it.  

2016 Finalists:

  • Applied Sciences Group 
  • Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC 
  • Freed Maxick CPAs 
  • Hodgson Russ LLP 
  • Superior Workforce Solutions 

IT WNY GOLD Sponsors

  • As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides nearly 900,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.

  • 360PSG

    Making Web Development More Accessible To You.

    Our mission is to provide web solutions in such a way that small and mid-size companies have an affordable option, without sacrificing the quality and expertise that is usually associated with large, diverse and expensive agencies.


  • Advance2000 is a full-service managed IT service provider specializing in Private Cloud Computing. From our high performance Cloud Computing to our comprehensive IT solutions, Advance2000 is renowned for streamlining customer’s cumbersome IT infrastructure while helping them optimize their business performance.

  • At AT&T, we’re bringing it all together. We’re helping people connect with advanced mobile services, next-generation TV, high-speed Internet services and smart solutions for businesses.

    Fast, highly secure and mobile connectivity – to everything on the Internet, everywhere, at every moment and on every device – is what drives us at AT&T.

     

  • We strive to provide better healthcare to our members, offer greater value to our customers, and improve the health of our communities.

  •  

    At M&T Tech, we’re a team of makers, doers, and builders working to create the most advanced technology solutions in banking.  We’re not your stereotypical suit and tie bankers: we’re an innovative team of leading tech experts, pushing boundaries, and taking risks. Join us and be part of something new as we build tomorrow’s bank today.

  • Buffalo Business First

    View Daily Local Business News, Resources & more in Buffalo, New York.


  • The Beckage Firm, PLLC is an exclusive law firm that counsels select organizations and high-net-worth individuals on incident response, innovation, business strategy, crisis preparedness, crisis management, and other tech and data security and privacy matters.

  • Rich Products