TECH COUNCIL OF MARYLAND NAMES 2010 TECH AWARD WINNERS

(ROCKVILLE, MD) – May 14, 2010 – The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM), the state´s largest technology trade association, last night announced the winners of its 22nd Annual Tech Awards to more than 800 technology and business leaders from the around region. "This was a night to celebrate Maryland, its innovative businesses and entrepreneurs, and the achievements of our members during this past year," said Renée M. Winsky, CEO of TCM. "I congratulate this year′s winners for their outstanding work and their dedication to helping make Maryland′s IT and Bio community the best in the nation."

The 2010 Tech Award winners are:

• Tech Advocate of the Year – Governor Martin O′Malley: Governor O′Malley was honored for his efforts to grow and nurture Maryland′s most innovative companies. Specifically, he has made the advancement of Maryland′s biotechnology industry one of the cornerstones of his economic development efforts during his time in office. Governor O′Malley launched the Maryland BIO 2020 Initiative, which pledges more than $1.3 billion in biotechnology investment over a 10-year period. He also is an advocate of the IT industry, supporting the repeal of the Computer Services Sales Tax, which set a terrible precedent for Maryland′s business community. More recently, Governor O′Malley launched an effort to make Maryland the epicenter for information security and technology innovation.
• STEM Educator of the Year – Nathan Swick: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Department Chair and 6th Grade STEM Academy Science Teacher at Spring Ridge Middle School, Swick was honored for his work with the STEM 6 program. STEM 6 provides comprehensive services based on sound philosophical, theoretical and empirical support, while offering advanced content and appropriately differentiated teaching strategies to reflect the accelerative learning pace and advanced intellectual processes of students with strong aptitude and ability in STEM contents.
• Executive of the Year – David Eisner: Eisner is president and CEO of Dataprise, Inc., an information technology services provider and systems integrator that solves the technology challenges of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Dataprise has developed innovative tools and strategies to help organizations manage their networks and leverage their technology investments.
• Biotechnology Firm of the Year – Emergent BioSolutions Inc.: Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines and therapeutics that assist the body's immune system to prevent or treat disease. Emergent's marketed product, BioThrax© (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection.
• High Technology Firm of the Year – Techno-Sciences, Inc.: Techno-Sciences, Inc. (TSi) is an advanced technology company specializing in maritime surveillance systems and satellite aided search and rescue systems (SARSAT). TSi leverages 35 years of experience with hardware and software engineering to deliver industry′s best products for complete maritime domain awareness. TSi′s SARSAT systems have been installed in more than 20 countries, helping to save over 26,500 lives.
• Government Contracting Firm of the Year – FedConcepts: FedConcepts, is a niche provider of cyber security and advanced infrastructure solutions to a diverse base of Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian customers throughout the Federal government. The company has achieved significant revenue growth over the past several years by focusing exclusively on providing its customers with sophisticated solutions for enhancing the security, interoperability and mobility of their mission critical information technology and communications requirements.
• Emerging Company of the Year – Neogenix Oncology: Neogenix Oncology is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is developing highly innovative products designed to disrupt the way that cancer is managed around the world. Neogenix is developing novel monoclonal antibody-based products for both the early detection and therapy of solid tumors. The technology is derived from cancer vaccines, which showed anti-cancer efficacy in FDA-approved clinical trials. The first product, ensituximab, is currently being tested in patients with pancreas and colon cancer.

About the TCM Annual Tech Awards

Each year TCM recognizes the outstanding work and achievements of local companies and individuals that are helping Maryland to be one of the nation′s premier technology states. This year′s theme "Building Something Great Together" focused on the tremendous growth and promising future for the technology community.

This is the third consecutive year that TCM has received a record number of nominations for the awards. The growth in this program is a clear indication of the prestige and importance of TCM′s Annual Tech Awards.

Sponsors of TCM′s 22nd Annual Tech Awards included:

• Platinum Sponsor: Riverside Research Park.
• Award Sponsors: Human Genome Sciences; Kenyon & Kenyon LLP; MedImmune; PNC Bank; Scheer Partners; TEDCO and Watkins Meegan.
• Gold Sponsors: Comcast; Computech; Havit Advertising, Inc.; Korn/Ferry International; Lockheed Martin; Pillsbury LLP and Thales Communications.
• Silver Sponsors: Biotechnology Industry Organization; Fisher BioServices; Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus; M&T Bank; Social & Scientific Systems and Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• VIP Reception Sponsor: Iron Bow Technologies, Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
• Bronze Sponsors: Amgen, BDO Seidman; CNSI; HUGHES; Montgomery College; SAIC-Frederick and University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
• Networking Reception Sponsor: Hewlett-Packard Company.
• Registration Sponsor: Lore Systems, Inc.
• AV Production Sponsor: TalkingTree Creative

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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.