2022 Prometheus Award winners announced

TAI plans new leadership program for early-career tech employees

The winners of the Technology Association of Iowa’s 2022 Prometheus Awards were announced during an award ceremony on Nov. 3 in Des Moines. A panel of technology leaders from across the state served as judges for the 16 awards that recognized companies, individual leaders and communities.

Computer science educators were recognized at the event for the first time this year. The five finalists for the new Computer Science Educator of the Year Award were honored for their work and awarded $2,000 each.

Before announcing the winners, TAI President Brian Waller said the organization is taking steps to stymie the high turnover its member companies are experiencing among new hires who are in the first five years of their career.

“Think about you in your first five years of your career. … Imagine if you had to go through that experience virtually or working from home,” Waller said. “We’re finding that young professionals in our industry have no sense of community, whether it’s in your organization or within this room.”

He added that a lack of connection could mean young talent leaving Iowa companies or the state entirely.

Launching in 2023, the Iowa Tech Connect program will bring together 30 early-career professionals from across Iowa to support their leadership development and relationship-building.

TAI’s Iowa Technology Leadership Institute will launch another cohort in 2023 as well. To view the members of the 2023 cohort, read TAI’s announcement.

The winners of the 2022 Prometheus Awards are:

Startup Technology Company of the Year
S5G Therapeutics Inc., Coralville

Emerging Technology Leader of the Year
Katie Jones, EMC Insurance

IT Service Provider Technology Company of the Year
Lean TECHniques Inc., Johnston

Software Development Technology Company of the Year
OpenLoop, Des Moines

Agtech & BioTech Company of the Year
SwineTech, Solon

Manufacturing Technology Company of the Year
MakuSafe Corp., West Des Moines

FinTech & InsurTech Company of the Year
iEmergent, Urbandale

Creative Technology Solution of the Year
UnityPoint Health

UHY Impact Award
Dave Tucker, Next Level Ventures

Best Technology Company Culture
John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group, Johnston

Technology Community of Year Award
West Des Moines

Computer Science Educators of the Year
Dominic Audia, Iowa City Community School District
Joel Bundt, MOC-Floyd Valley
Kyle Kuhlers, Waterloo School District
Sarah Diesburg, University of Northern Iowa
Susan Wilson, Indian Hills Community College

CIO/CTO/CISO of the Year
Joe Riesberg, EMC Insurance

CEO of the Year
Austin Mac Nab, VizyPay

Small/Medium Iowa Technology Company of the Year
ProCircular, Coralville

Principal Large Technology Company of the Year
General Dynamics Information Technology, West Des Moines