Tech Council of Maryland Announces 2010 Tech Awards Finalists

Winners will be Announced at the 22nd Annual Tech Awards Celebration May 13

(ROCKVILLE, MD) – March 31, 2010 – The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) has selected finalists for its prestigious 2010 Tech Awards that recognize individuals and organizations for innovation, dedication and outstanding service to Maryland's technology community.

"The Annual TCM Tech Awards Celebration is our chance to highlight those deserving companies and executives that have made an impact on the state of Maryland," said Renée Winsky, TCM Chief Executive Officer. "The finalists for this year's award gala represent a great mix of emerging companies and those already established in the state."

The 2010 Tech Awards finalists are:

• Biotechnology Firm of the Year: Emergent BioSolutions Inc., Martek Biosciences Corporation, QIAGEN
• Emerging Company of the Year: Akonni Biosystems, Inc., Energy Dense Power Systems, Neogenix Oncology, Inc.
• Executive of the Year: David Eisner, President & CEO, Dataprise, Inc.; Barry Kane, President, Catapult Technology, Ltd.; Anik Singal, CEO, Lurn, Inc.
• Government Contracting Firm of the Year: FedConcepts, GlobalNet Services, Inc., SoBran, Inc.
• High Technology Firm of the Year: Salar, Inc., Techno-Sciences, Inc., WGS Systems, LLC
• STEM Educator of the Year: Sheila Buscemi, First Grade Teacher, Valley Elementary School; Darryl Richards, Biology Teacher, New Era Academy High School #422; Nathan L. Swick, STEM Department Chair, 6th Grade STEM Academy Science Teacher, Spring Ridge Middle School

For 22 years, TCM has recognized companies that have helped establish Maryland's thriving technology community. This year's theme, Building Something Great Together, focuses on the tremendous growth and future outlook for the technology community. TCM's Annual Tech Awards Celebration brings over 800 local leaders from technology, biotech, government and academia to honor the best and brightest of their peers, truly making it Maryland's Best Night of Networking.

"Riverside Research Park congratulates all the 2010 nominees. The Tech Council of Maryland is a valuable asset to the business community in supporting efforts for all the great things happening throughout the state," said JP Matan, Director of Leasing, Matan Inc. "The Annual Tech Awards Celebration is a wonderful opportunity to recognize those companies and individuals that are a big part of Maryland's success. With the construction start of the new National Cancer Institute's Advanced Technology Research Facility at the park, this seemed the perfect opportunity to participate as Platinum Sponsor."

The winners will be announced at a dinner and awards ceremony on May 13, 2010, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

The event is sponsored by:

• Platinum Sponsors: Riverside Research Park
• Award Sponsors: Human Genome Sciences, Kenyon & Kenyon LLP MedImmune, PNC Bank, Scheer Partners, TEDCO, Watkins | Meegan
• Gold Sponsors: Comcast, Computech, Havit Advertising, Korn/Ferry International, Lockheed Martin, Pillsbury LLP, Thales Communications
• Silver Sponsors: Fisher BioServices, Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus, M&T Bank, Social and Scientific Systems, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• VIP Reception Sponsors: Iron Bow Technologies
• Bronze Sponsors: BDO Seidman, HUGHES, Montgomery College, SAIC-Frederick
• Networking Reception Sponsors: Hewlett-Packard Company
• Registration Sponsors: Lore Systems, Inc.

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ABOUT THE TECH COUNCIL OF MARYLAND, INC.
The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) is the largest technology trade group serving the advanced technology and biotechnology communities of Maryland. TCM's mission is to advocate for the interests of the technology community, further the role of technology in the Maryland economy, and nurture an environment where technology companies can collaborate, grow and succeed. For more information, visit www.techcouncilmd.com.