AIM Honors Local Leaders, Innovators and Educators in Technology
AIM (aimforbrilliance.org), an innovative, not-for-profit organization that builds thriving communities through technology, recognized local leaders, innovators and educators for their contributions to the tech community at its Tech Celebration, held November 10 at the Holland Performing Arts Center. The event title sponsor was Cox Business, with additional sponsorship from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, Lazarus Software and Valmont Industries, Inc. Nearly 400 people were in attendance as AIM presented the awards. The 2016 honorees are:
Tech Student: Grace Erixon, Omaha North High Magnet School
Grace Erixon is a tech-savvy junior at Omaha North High Magnet School and an IT intern at Gallup. She’s a participant and leader in Girls Who Code, Code Crush and Omaha Coding Women. She’s also the student assistant for Engineering and Robotics camps at North. Erixon is an inspiration to other young women interested in technology.
Tech Educator: Kristeen Shabram, Westside Middle School
Kristeen Shabram is a teacher at Westside Middle School, and is a key player in developing the future generation of tech talent. She teaches Business & Technology and Digital Media & Literacy. Shabram also is the teacher sponsor for three clubs focused on technology. She is an outstanding technology educator, a dynamic colleague and a caring mentor to her students.
Tech Innovator: Doug Durham, Nebraska Global and Don’t Panic Labs
Doug Durham is Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Nebraska Global and Don’t Panic Labs. Durham assisted in developing a groundbreaking Software Engineering Program at UNL. He created internships for over 100 students at Nebraska Global and has mentored developing technologists. Durham believes in applying holistic development–encompassing software design, architecture and process–for multiple startups, large corporations and the tech community.
Tech Leader: Derek Kruse, Douglas Omaha Technology Commission
Derek Kruse is Chief Information Officer at Douglas Omaha Technology Commission (DOTComm). Kruse is an outstanding leader who strives to provide effective, efficient, high-quality service to internal and external clients. He has implemented sweeping changes to DOTComm operations, incorporated new technologies and made DOTComm a trusted partner. Kruse pioneered DOTComm’s move to cloud computing and implemented public-private partnerships.
Community Builder: Metropolitan Community College-Workforce Innovation Division
Metropolitan Community College’s Workforce Innovation Division (WID) has contributed in multiple facets to the growth and development of the tech community. In 2017, WID will open its new Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology. WID also created industry partnerships to build business growth and advancement through training and introduced the Innovation Sandbox to strategically connect innovators with resources to fast-track entrepreneurial development and business growth.
Emerging Business: ScoreVision
ScoreVision, a company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Omaha, is being recognized for its outstanding application of technology. The company provides schools and sports facilities with all-digital scoreboards that deliver professional, jumbotron-like experiences similar to those at the college or professional sports level. In addition, ScoreVision empowers students with tech career engagement opportunities by allowing them to plan, create and produce content for the multimedia displays.
Enterprise Business: Outlook Nebraska, Inc.
Outlook Nebraska, Inc. was founded in 2000 as a nonprofit organization committed to positively impacting everyone who is blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of the blind and visually impaired in Nebraska, Outlook Nebraska was the first organization in the country to purchase eSight and Nu Eyes wearable technology, enabling employees with low vision to enhance their sight.