North Texas boasts a new crop of Tech Titans, including a team at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, a University of Texas at Dallas inventor and a Lewisville ISD teacher.
On Aug. 28, the Tech Titans trade organization handed out this year’s Tech Titans awards at the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center.
The awards program recognizes people and organizations for their contributions to the North Texas tech community. The program spotlights visionaries, early adopters and trailblazers in sectors such as AI, robotics, education and automation.
A panel of peers picked the finalists and winners.
“The competition was exceptionally strong this year, reflecting the incredible talent driving the continued growth of the Dallas-Fort Worth technology community,” Shanthi Rajaram, founder of Plano-based IT consulting firm Amazech and chairwoman of this year’s Tech Titans program, said in a statement. “Our winners represent the innovation and leadership that make North Texas a nationally recognized tech hub.”
Rajaram said the event was “especially meaningful” thanks to the attendance of Robert Potter, Tech Titans’ longest-tenured member. Potter is president of Irving-based R.J. Potter Co., a business and financial management consulting firm.
“His presence reminded us of the strong foundation and legacy of excellence that continue to inspire our industry today,” Rajaram said.
2026 Tech Titans
What follows is a rundown of this year’s Tech Titans. Additional coverage of some of the honorees is available here.
Community Hero: Kris Fitzgerald, Smart Data Solutions
Corporate CIO/CTO: Janet Robertson, global chief information officer at RS Group
Corporate Innovation: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Team led by Paul Puopolo, executive vice president and chief technology and innovation officer.
Emerging Company CEO: Chris Gay, co-founder and CEO of Evry Health
Emerging Company CIO/CTO: Venkat Shashank, co-technical and innovation lead, Steel IQ
Emerging Company Innovation: Illuma Labs. Company led by founder and CEO Milind Borkar.
Startup Company CEO: Sara Doutt, founder and CEO of Myngly
Technology Inventor: Theodore Price, founding director of the Center for Advanced Pain Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Tech Titans of the Future – College/University: Collin College. School led by Tripat Baweja, the college’s dean.
Tech Titans of the Future – High School: Chip Bloecher, career and technical education teacher at Lewisville ISD
Lifetime Achievement: Paul Voelker, senior regional manager for Export Development Canada
Hall of Fame: Nina Vaca, founder, chairwoman and CEO of Pinnacle Group
Corporate CEO: Sherif Mityas, CEO of BRIX Holdings
Fast Tech – Fastest Growing Tech Companies in North Texas: Downstream, DigitalXForce, JobTread, FieldPulse and Perry Weather
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