GWATA, the NCW Technology Alliance awarded Key Methods as the Tech Savvy Business of the Year and Nancy Tedeschi, Eyeego/Snap it Screw as the Entrepreneur of the Year at the Innovator Awards luncheon held today at the Wenatchee Convention Center. In addition to the award winners, Wenatchee High School 11th graders Arnie Techavimol and Spencer Larkin were recognized as Future Technology Leaders.

Since 2001, GWATA has presented an Awards Luncheon and recognized technology-based businesses in our region. Each year, two nominees are honored; a Tech Savvy Business of the Year and an Entrepreneur of the Year. The Tech Savvy Business Award honors an organization or entity that has successfully applied technology to one or more aspects of their operations to improve their efficiencies. The Entrepreneur Award is given to an individual(s) who develops a new innovative product or service or establishes anew enterprise to bring a new or existing product to the marketplace.

The event presented by LocalTel Communications provided an overview of economic developments from the Port of Chelan, Port of Douglas, Port of Quincy and the Okanogan areas as well as a few tech gadgets to look for in 2012. Masters of Ceremony, Amy Lewis of Corban Security and Larry Cramer, Application Dynamics kept the program moving along to focus on the area's best tech businesses.

The awards also recognized Future Technology Leaders and student led projects in technology, science, engineering or math fields. Arnie Techavimol and Spencer Larkin, 11th Graders from Wenatchee High School were recognized for their iPhone app business which produced Image Ninjas and Viola Jokes. In addition to these apps the two are currently working on a larger project for all mobile platforms.

Jamie Johnson, 4th grade teacher at Columbia Elementary School was recognized for Innovative Reading Instruction. At the beginning of the school year students in Jamie's class had reading levels ranging from no English reading to 7th grade levels. Rather than accept defeat Jamie applied for a grant from the NCESD and used some personal funds to purchase iPod Shuffles and digital materials to differentiate her instruction. In just four months 55% of Jamie's students achieved more than one year's growth in reading.

The Tech Savvy Business of the Year, Key Methods, was recognized for their complex outsourcing of IT and development throughout the region. Key Methods is a software development and outsource IT company that is leading the area in offering cloud solutions to businesses.

The Entrepreneur of the Year, Nancy Tedeschi, Eyeego/Snap It Screw, was recognized for crafting and marketing optical eyeglass screws which make repair easy. The Eyeego/Snap It Screw is available through Walgreen's, Amazon and other top stores.

The nominees for the event were as follows:

Entrepreneur of the Year

Mark Stockman, Black Diamond Sports Therapy

Ryan Kelso, Complete Design

Nancy Tedeschi, Eyeego/Snap It Screw

Korey Korfiatis, Legwork Social

Steven Bechard, Reasonable Racks

Dominick Bonny, Strategically Social

*Daniel Pirestani, Systematech

*2010 Award winner; not applicable

Tech Savvy Business of the Year

Corban Security

Genext

Inner Circle Gym

Key Methods

SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers

Stemilt Growers

Voortex Productions

The top nominees in each category; Ryan Kelso, Nancy Tedeschi, Steven Bechard, Corban Security, Genext and Key Methods were showcased with a 3-minute video. Luncheon attendees appreciated their work and understood why they received the awards. "We wanted to showcase not only our award winners but the nominees that work to build our economic climate and technology in our region," states Jenny Rickel, GWATA President and CEO of Edge Strategies.

GWATA is a regional organization founded in 2000 to promote a vibrant technology-based economy benefiting the citizens and communities of North Central Washington. GWATA's core values are to connect people and resources, provide an exchange of ideas, create a culture that encourages entrepreneurs, and to support innovators around North Central Washington.

Ever hire the wrong person? In a previous career I made some hiring mistakes and a few huge hiring mistakes. In the last five years, as a Training Consultant for SkillSource, I've met business owners who are just as frustrated with the hiring process as I was at times. In the current economy, using a defined process can reduce mistakes in hiring and save you time and $$.

Step 1: Determine the Skills/Experience/Education

Look at the job description or get ideas from O*NET for what is needed to perform the job. Decide what type of personality or characteristics would be a good fit for your team. Who would be a good representative for your company? This information will be used to advertise and evaluate each applicant.

Step 2: Advertise

WorkSource can post the job opening, for FREE, and ESD staff will pre-screen applicants, for FREE, making your job easier. The ad will include the skills required, give a wage range and ask applicants to visit WorkSource to apply. ESD staff can send you the cover letter, resume, and generic application of each applicants who the basic requirements. You could advertise through Craigslist and still have candidates go to WorkSource to apply.

Step 3: Scan the Candidates

With 10-20 pre-screened applicants, scan for relevant work experience and who sounds like a good fit for the position. If there are specific skills needed for the job; such as typing 40 wpm or proficiency with Excel 2007, ask SkillSource to assess the best applicants before the interview.

Step 4: Interview

The trend is the panel interview. 3-5 staff members participate, each with varied opinions. Ever see American Idol? Simon didn't like anyone and Paula adored everyone. When using panel interviews in a recent workshop I found that's exactly how the panel operates. Use an evaluation scale to assess each applicant's answers.

Step 5: Evaluate the Results

Get the panel together to talk about each applicant's interview evaluations, assessments, and personality. Can you we see them working for your company? Decide on a candidate and make the job offer.

You carefully determined the needs, pre-screened, assessed skills, evaluated the results and came to a group decision. Congratulations!

Come share some holiday cheer with GWATA at our Open House at Caffe Mela!

• Network with other entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts
• Bid on our silent auction items, perfect for holiday gift giving
• Enjoy a glass of wine or beer and delicious hors d’oeuvres
• Socialize and listen to great live music
• Enter to win a door prize

$5 for GWATA members, $10 for non-members*

*Price includes appetizers and one drink ticket

RSVP Online here

Check out these FREE events from one of our member organizations, the NCHBA.

July 27 - Quickbooks Q&A Session

August 10 - Introduction to Facebook for Businesses