Two veterans claim top Victoria tech awards
Daniels Electronics, Robert Bennett honoured at 10th annual dinner
By Andrew A. Duffy, Times Colonist May 14, 2010 Comments (3)
A pair of wily veterans were honoured last night as the city's youngest industry gathered to celebrate the Victoria Advanced Technology Council's 10th annual high-tech awards night.
Daniels Electronics, a 60-year-old pioneer of radio and repeater technology, and Robert Bennett, a 50- year-old staple of the local high-tech sector, took home marquee awards at last night's event, which drew more than 500 people to the Victoria Conference Centre.
Daniels, which has been toiling away since 1950, won VIATeC's technology company of the year award, while Bennett, president and COO of Simation Global Technology, was handed the Colin Lennox Award for technology champion.
"Rob has been a big part of the tech sector for over 25 years," said VIATeC executive director Dan Gunn.
"He's always been involved and not just as a participant but as a huge contributor."
Bennett founded Municipal Software in 1982 and remained there until 2007. He then joined Simation.
But Gunn said his work reflects only a fraction of his commitment to the high-tech industry.
"He helped create events like Island Tech, he sat on the VIATeC board for six years including a number of years as chairman, he got the VIATeC Grow Op up and running and serves as a lead adviser for our angel network," said Gunn.
"He is a part of a lot of the things VIATeC and the community does, he even serves as a mentor to several people through our mentor program.
"He has the experience and is willing to share it. And I don't know if I've ever heard him say no to anything that's been asked of him to help the tech community."
Nearly 40 companies and individuals had been nominated in 10 award categories this year.
VICTORIA ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL AWARD WINNERS
- Technology Company of the Year: Daniels Electronics
- Colin Lennox Award for Technology Champion: Robert Bennett
- Emerging Technology Company of the Year: Dark Matter Labs
- Product of the Year: GeoDigital International - Vegetation Management Reports
- Online Strategy of the Year: Caorda Web Solutions
- Executive of the Year: Archipelago Marine Research - Shawn Stebbins
- Employee/Team of the Year: ParetoLogic's Business Operations Group
- Employer of the Year: UNIT 4 Agresso
- Environmental Excellence: iDUS Controls Inc.
- VIATeC Member of the Year: Cube Global Storage
- Innovative Excellence: AXYS Technologies
- The members' choice award for service provider of the year was to be voted on during the award ceremony, the finalists were: Calliope Learning, Corporate Recruiters, Megson Fitzpatrick Insurance Services, Miller Thomson LLP
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