2009 Kentucky Tech Day Recognizes the Leading Role of Technology in Kentucky’s Economic Development

On Feb. 24, ConnectKentucky hosted the 2009 Tech Day in Kentucky. The day-long event featured roundtables addressing the value of technology in the areas of education, healthcare, telework and digital citizenship, while highlighting Kentucky’s status as a leading broadband state.

One highlight of the day was the ConnectKentucky Technology Awards. These awards recognized people and businesses that exemplify the value of technology.

(left to right) René True, ConnectKentucky executive director; Dakota Vincent, Cumberland County High School; Ginger Garmon, Cumberland County High School advisor

 

Those receiving awards included:

• Dakota Vincent, a 17-year-old at Cumberland County High School, for the 2009 Secondary Student Technology Award. Dakota is co-owner of a small business named Sentinel Shadow. He provides computer and networking assistance for people and businesses. Dakota also prepares and hosts multiple workshops for the community.

• Bradley Stephens, a technology student from Northern Kentucky University’s College of informatics, for the 2009 Postsecondary Student Technology Award. Bradley developed the Northern Kentucky Early Childhood Database, a web-based application currently used by the cities of Covington and Newport to track child program involvement from birth to kindergarten.

• TiER1 Performance Solutions in Covington for the 2009 Small Business Technology Award. TiER1 Performance Solutions in Covington started in 2002. Six years later, the technology company has 40 employees and a payroll of $2.6 million. The company provides technology-enabled communications as well as learning and knowledge management solutions that enable strategic initiatives to clients worldwide.

• The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the 2009 Corporate Citizenship Technology Award. In 2007-2008, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce created a New Agenda for Kentucky project to encourage Kentuckians to look at the state in a different way, think creatively about challenges and opportunities and create an energetic, new agenda to move the Commonwealth forward. The Chamber effectively deployed technology through a web portal (www.newagendaky.com) to solicit ideas and engage citizens across the Commonwealth.

(left to right) René True, Connect Kentucky executive director; David Adkisson, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce president; Bob Gray, Taylor-Gray Associates; Jim Ford, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce vice president