Dear Friends, Cox Business is honored to serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the 15th Annual Top Tech Awards, in proud partnership with Vegas Inc and hosted at the iconic Allegiant Stadium—a fitting venue for a celebration of innovation, leadership and technological excellence. This year marks a truly monumental milestone. For 15 years, the Top Tech Awards have shined a spotlight on the unsung heroes of Information Technology, the architects behind the systems, solutions and infrastructure that power our businesses, protect our data and connect our communities. These individuals rarely seek the spotlight, yet their impact is felt in every corner of our economy and every facet of our daily lives.
At Cox Business, we are deeply grateful to this community of IT leaders. Your ingenuity, resilience and forward-thinking drive not only the success of your organizations but also the growth and transformation of Southern Nevada’s entire business landscape. You are the backbone of progress, and your contributions deserve to be recognized and celebrated.
As we gather at Allegiant Stadium, one of the most technologically advanced venues in the world, we reflect on how far we’ve come and how much further we can go. The Top Tech Awards are more than a ceremony; they are a tribute to the spirit of innovation and a reminder of the limitless possibilities that lie ahead when technology and leadership converge.
We invite you to join us to congratulate the 2025 nominees and award recipients whose achievements continue to shape the future. Their work inspires us, and their stories remind us why we remain committed to supporting the IT community with cutting-edge solutions, strategic partnerships and a shared vision for a smarter, more connected tomorrow.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to 15 years of excellence—and to the many more ahead.
Warm regards,
Steve Westerman Vice President, Cox Business
PLATINUM SPONSOR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PRESENTED BY
Dear honored guests, nominees and technology leaders of Southern Nevada,
At Verkada, our pride in supporting this year’s Top Tech Awards as a Platinum Sponsor comes not just from our belief in technology, but from our deep appreciation for the people who bring it to life. The honorees recognized this year are problem-solvers, mentors and builders of the future. They are proof that innovation is not simply about new tools, but about the commitment to apply them in ways that strengthen communities and improve lives.
For 15 years, the Top Tech Awards have highlighted leaders whose work often takes place far from public view but whose influence is unmistakable. Over that time, the program has become a cornerstone for recognizing technology leadership in Southern Nevada, shining a light on contributions that might otherwise go unnoticed. These professionals embody resilience, creativity and foresight—qualities that turn challenges into opportunities and ideas into impact.
Progress in technology is always driven by people. The leaders honored tonight don’t just solve today’s challenges; they anticipate what’s next and prepare their organizations for the future. In Southern Nevada, the technology community is defined by collaboration, creativity and resilience. These awards matter because they recognize the individuals whose work strengthens businesses, inspires colleagues and advances the region.
On behalf of the entire Verkada team, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s nominees and award recipients. Your dedication inspires us, your achievements raise the bar for what’s possible and your leadership sets the stage for the next era of innovation. Thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you on this special 15th anniversary of the Top Tech Awards. We look forward to many more years of progress, partnership and shared success.
Sincerely,
Pat Nevins Enterprise Account Director, Verkada
SUPPORTING SPONSOR SUPPORTING SPONSOR
JUDGES
2025 TOP TECH NOMINEES
Jeremy Aguero Applied Analysis
Ethan Aldrich Budget Rent A Car of Las Vegas
Carlos Alvarado Thomas Dermatology
Michael Ang JobElephant
Cyndi Backstrom
Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
William Baker Fremont Street Experience
Rudy Barrow The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
Jorge Bazoberry Tao Group Hospitality
Brent Benedict Archdiocese of Las Vegas
Victor Blanco Light & Wonder
Leo Bletnitsky Healthy Technology Solutions
Andrew Bolshazy Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada
Marc Boozer Nevada Public Radio
Jose Bravo AC Pro
Katie Breitenbach Stealth Startup
Jeremy Brenton Roseman University of Health Sciences
Heather Brown Las Vegas Global
Kelley Carter Speakeasy Therapy Services
Jon Castro Diversified Restaurant Group
Hamza Cengiz Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Rob Chen HCA Healthcare
Martel Clayton Development Utility Organization
Cory Climaldi Cind-R-Lite Block Co.
Emmanuel Cobian Discovery Children's Museum
Oscar Cooley Deep Roots Harvest
Margaret Copas Wee Care Pediatrics
Angie Cosca Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging
Jacob Costolo HELP of Southern Nevada
Jester Dantes OnTechService LLC
Sheena Deleon-Guerrero Nevada National Security Sites
Steve Dimopoulos Dimopoulos Injury Law
John DiMuro DiMurio Pain Management
Ray Downie Peppermint Hippo Lynsey Downing
Andrew Ferrall Las Vegas Raiders
Peter Floyd Marquis Aurbach
Troy Freet Barx Parx
Paxton Frei Ira Computing
Joshua Galindo Galindo Group Real Estate
Timothy Galluzi State of Nevada, Governor's Technology O ce
Michael Gambino Professional Contractor Supply
Michael Gardineer Vivida Dermatology
Sam Garofalo Wired Up Las Vegas
Edgar Garrobo Astrana Health
Asal Gibson CyRoot Academy
Bojan Glogovac Credit One Bank
Kory Gray Pima Medical Institute
Arthur Green III Tech Impact
Mike Grote WC Health
Zachary Gunier St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic School
Tim Gunter Allegiant Airlines
Richard Hallon Las Vegas Urban League
Brian Hyde GDS Connect
Zach Irle Bryz Guyz, Inc
Scott Israel SI Computer Solutions
Morris Jackson II Valhallan
Chris Jansen Channell Commercial Corporation
Komal Jasani Meta
George Johnson IREPLV PM
Ian Jones The PENTA Building Group
Kevin Kealy Light & Wonder
Joey Khan Byrna Technologies
Rishma Khimji
Harry Reid International Airport
Gunnar Kim Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
Matthew Kole UNLV
Kyle Konold The Delta Academy
Spencer Kreikemeier Dynojet Research Inc.
Nikolai Krylov ITISSAVVY LLC
Marcus Kurle AAA20 Group
Gary Larkin
T.J. Lombardi Big League Dreams
Brooke Loneker Goodwill of Southern Nevada
Michael Loumos Alpha Video Surveillance
Tyler Magistrelli Best Western Plus Casino Royale
Mark Mapa Tancell Care
Richard Martes Planet 13
Dan Mattox Greenspun Media Group
Scott Mazick
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Roxann McCoy Dress for Success of Southern Nevada
Dee Dee Meevasin Dee for Dentist
Starr Mermejo Dapper Companies
Artice Miller AM Computer Solutions
Damien Mingarelli Nellis Auction
Shane Minjarez Everi Holdings Inc.
Kelly Montgomery Sunset Professional Park
Chris Moran Las Vegas Eye Docs
Bill Morgan The Management Trust
Emaan Omega Designo Inc.
Raymond Perez Boyd Gaming
Travis Peterson The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower
Paul Poteat
Bell Transportation
Tim Provance PAM Health
Nicole Puma LGI Homes
Kamal Punjabi E2E Tech Solutions
Zack Raucher
Global Promotional
Sourcing
Seth Ravin Rimini Street
Michael Reardon HCA Healthcare Far West Division
Scott Reddick P1 Padel
Sangeeta Reddy
Gaming Laboratories International
Robert Rivas
Silver State Schools Credit Union
Derek Roback Domino's
Connie Rodriguez HCA Healthcare
Juanny Romero Mothership Co ee Roasters
Lawrence Roney Las Vegas Convention and Vistors Authority
William Sagel Las Vegas
Ross Siegel The Siegel Group
Vivek Singh Nevada National Security Sites
Norman Solomon Shooting Star Technology
Clinton Sparks Global Gaming League
David Stillwell
Nevada Heart & Vascular
Douglas Stowers Green Valley Networks
Jonathan Temple Slickdeals
David Thierry
Red Rock Administrative Services
TJ Thisija Nectar Life
Russell Thompson
Howard Hughes Holdings
Jamin Thompson Deimos-One
Jason Tolleson Serrano Development Group
Roman Troyano Krome IT
Elizabeth Viera La Mojarra Loca & Grill
Susan Walker North Vista Hospital
Brandon Ward The WE Mentality
Jonathan Washburn Advantage IT
Honorees from across the years reflect on the program’s 15-year legacy of innovation
For 15 years, the Top Tech Awards in Las Vegas have celebrated the innovators and problem-solvers who drive Southern Nevada forward. Across industries like health care, gaming, education, government and beyond, honorees have driven innovation that continues to shape our region.
This milestone anniversary o ers a chance to re ect on how far technology has come and the leaders who helped shape that journey. From the early days of smartphone breakthroughs and wearable tech to today’s world of AI, quantum computing and autonomous systems, Top Tech honorees continue to lead with vision and impact.
Here, past winners share where their journeys have taken them and how Top Tech remains part of their story.
TOP TECH WINNERS
AL PRENDERGAST Government, 2011 and Nonprofit, 2023
As a two-time winner of the Vegas Inc and Cox Business Top Tech Award (2011 Government category and 2023 Nonpro t category) in Las Vegas, it was a great honor for me personally and the great sta that I worked with. It was also great recognition for the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and the fantastic work that we do every day for our communities. Since winning the award, I have retired as the Chief Information O cer of the organization, but I will always be honored by this great recognition. Congratulations on celebrating 15 years and thank you!
BRUCE WILCOX
Private Business, 2013
When I was honored with this award in 2013, the tech world was working to improve the smartphone, wearable technology was coming into its own, video streaming was coming to life, and 3D printing was actually becoming a ordable. In the dozen years since then, we are surrounded with autonomous driving, sustainable energy technologies, quantum computing and the beasts that are arti cial intelligence and machine learning! I feel privileged to be in the technology industry with recent honorees who are making all these new technologies come to fruition. I applaud all of them, along with this organization that recognizes and supports these achievements.
Being recognized with a Top Tech Award in a city that champions innovation was an honor in 2016, and something I’m still immensely proud of today. In the past decade, I’ve continued writing For Kids For Dummies tech books, served as principal of The Adelson School and, most recently, launched a school innovation program at The Meadows (founded by former Mayor Carolyn Goodman), where we’re teaching aerial autonomous systems, CS/AI, DECA business, robotics and the rst F1 STEM Racing program in Nevada. Building the skills of the young people who will soon build future Nevada is exhilarating!
WONDA RINER Healthcare, 2017
It’s hard to believe the Las Vegas Top Tech Awards is celebrating its 15th year. I was rst introduced in 2017 as a nominee and proudly display the award I won that year while serving as director of information technology for the UNLV School of Medicine. Since then, both the awards and my role have grown. Today, I serve as Chief Information and Marketing O cer for the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, supporting both the school and UNLV Health.
SONAL
CHABLANI Hotel/Gaming, 2021
I’m honored to continue supporting the Top Tech Awards and celebrating the incredible technology leaders shaping our community.
I was honored to have won a Top Tech Award in 2021. Since then, I have moved jobs, moved cities, gotten promoted and gained tons of experience that continues to take me closer to my ultimate professional goal. Winning a Top Tech Award gave me the validation of work done well, while giving me the con dence to keep going. I have stayed updated on recent nominees and winners, and I feel humbled and proud of being a part of such an accomplished group. It gives me immense pleasure to see the Las Vegas tech scene thriving with such amazing talent, and I hope to one day come back and continue to contribute to the magic that runs the technology experienced and appreciated by millions from the world over.
MANER PUYAWAN Startup, 2022
Winning the Top Tech Award for Marker Trax was a turning point. I’m proud to say I didn’t just start Marker Trax—I saw it through, and today, more casinos than ever are embracing our product. That journey taught me the value of innovation and forward thinking, especially as AI reshapes our industry. Now, I’m channeling that same drive into my current venture, Koin, building on past experiences and successes. Being part of the Top Tech Awards legacy emphasizes to me that Las Vegas celebrates ideas and the determination and ingenuity to bring them to life.
DUANA MALONE Community Exemplary, 2024
Winning the Top Tech Award was a pivotal moment that propelled me to expand both my career and mission.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing the United States Help Desk Academy, where we train students in all 50 states and across 30 NATO countries, preparing them to thrive in the global technology workforce serving our Defense Industrial Base. In addition, I direct the nonpro t Tech Queen Elite Training Institute, dedicated to training, certifying and employing students from underserved communities and those on the autism spectrum. This journey has allowed me to merge innovation with impact, using technology to transform lives and create lasting opportunities.
Jeremy Brenton
Director of Information Technology Infrastructure, Roseman University of Health Sciences
EDUCATION
Technology leadership plays a critical role in shaping how universities operate and evolve. At Roseman University, Jeremy Brenton has led efforts to build and secure the systems that support health care education.
Brenton directed the university’s migration to a cloudbased environment, improving system availability, scalability and reliability for students, faculty and administrators. His cybersecurity program reduced risk exposure by more than 60% through initiatives such as multi-factor authentication, network segmentation and zero-trust policies. These measures were instrumental in maintaining academic operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also managed the rollout of unified communication tools to support collaboration across departments and remote teams. Under his leadership, Roseman adopted an IT governance framework that improved project timelines and aligned technology efforts with institutional goals. He introduced disaster recovery and business continuity plans, tested annually to ensure operational resilience.
Brenton brings a measured, strategic approach to IT leadership. He is known for anticipating institutional needs, delivering projects with precision, and creating a collaborative environment that supports team development. His steady execution and long-range planning have positioned Roseman to grow with confidence.
NONPROFIT BUSINESS
Asal Gibson
Founder, CyRoot Academy
Asal Gibson is the founder of CyRoot Academy, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit dedicated to providing no-cost technical education to veterans, military families and underserved communities. With more than 15 years of experience in cybersecurity and project management, Gibson brings both strategic clarity and hands-on leadership to her role.
Since launching CyRoot Academy’s first course in January 2025, she has led the development of multiple full-length programs, built operational systems, coordinated instructors and formed partnerships with organizations including Cisco Networking Academy, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and Creech Air Force Base. Her efforts have brought industry-relevant training to underserved communities and created pathways to new careers.
Gibson also serves as an adjunct professor at UNLV’s Lee Business School and holds a community leadership role as an honorary commander at Creech. She is known for her ability to mobilize support around a shared mission and has grown CyRoot Academy into a trusted resource in just a few months. By aligning education with workforce demand and removing traditional barriers to entry, Gibson is expanding access to opportunity in tech and creating a more inclusive talent pipeline one student at a time.
STARTUP
Founder, Deimos-One
Venturing into space no longer requires traditional rockets or ground-based launch facilities. At Deimos-One, Jamin Thompson is advancing a di erent approach powered by AI and autonomous flight. His team builds launch systems that use less fuel, require minimal equipment on the ground and operate without large crews.
Since founding Deimos-One in 2020, Thompson has led development of the Vulcan Launch System, a two-stage platform that lifts payloads to the stratosphere using a balloon, then ignites a rocket-powered UAV at approximately 100,000 feet. By launching payloads from the stratosphere, Vulcan bypasses much of the atmospheric resistance. This approach reduces fuel needs, environmental impact and overall costs. It also enables smaller, more flexible missions.
Thompson also oversaw the creation of HALO, a fully autonomous stratospheric balloon platform used for Earth observation and intelligence missions. With onboard AI and advanced sensors, HALO delivers real-time imaging and data collection for defense, research and climate monitoring.
Thompson’s ability to connect engineering and execution has attracted interest from research institutions, defense contractors and commercial partners. In an industry long shaped by cost and complexity, Thompson is building a smarter, more accessible path to space.
All photographs by Christopher DeVargas
Jamin Thompson
Sheena Deleon-Guerrero
Manager of Information Systems, Nevada National Security Site
As manager of information systems at Nevada National Security Site, Sheena Deleon-Guerrero has played a central role in modernizing the agency’s technology landscape. Her efforts in infrastructure, application management, cybersecurity and team development have improved efficiency and strengthened mission-critical systems.
One of Deleon-Guerrero’s most notable initiatives was an application consolidation project that reduced the agency’s application portfolio by 30% and retired more than 50 legacy systems, easing technical debt and lowering enterprise risk. She also directed the integration of Single Sign-On across more than 70 applications, streamlining user access and improving security. In collaboration with the IT Project Management Office, she helped standardize software development practices and formalize Agile project delivery.
Building on that foundation, Deleon-Guerrero led automation efforts to streamline account provisioning, which reduces delays and eases the IT burden associated with access requests. She also helped facilitate data collection and system inventory in support of the agency’s post-quantum cryptography migration planning.
In addition to technical leadership, she prioritizes team growth. She launched the “Summer Dev Workshop,” a peer-led series to expand skills across her 14-person development team. Her efforts continue to strengthen NNSS’ digital capabilities while fostering a collaborative, forward-looking IT culture.
Kevin Kealy Chief Information Security O cer, Light & Wonder
Kevin Kealy is chief information security o cer at Light & Wonder, where he directs cybersecurity e orts for one of the gaming industry’s leading technology companies. With more than 25 years of experience spanning internet technologies, voice over IP, ethical hacking and network architecture, he brings both technical expertise and seasoned leadership to the role.
Kealy leads a global team charged with protecting systems, employees and assets from evolving threats. He has led employee training e orts, strengthened internal defenses and introduced safeguards such as email filtering to reduce phishing and malware risks. These measures have been essential in addressing cybersecurity challenges across a complex operating environment.
Casino technologies often require regulatory approval for updates, complicating routine security patching. Kealy works closely with operators and regulators to navigate these constraints and improve system resilience. His ability to bridge communication gaps among IT teams, regulatory bodies and casino stakeholders has helped reduce exposure to ransomware and other threats.
Beyond his work at Light & Wonder, Kealy holds two patents in VoIP security, is CISSP-certified and has co-authored several books on digital forensics. He also volunteers as a pilot with Pilots and Paws, transporting rescue animals to safe, permanent homes.
Juanny Romero
Owner and Chief Executive O cer, Mothership Co ee Roasters
Juanny Romero has built Mothership Co ee Roasters into one of Southern Nevada’s leading specialty co ee companies, blending technology-driven growth with a strong commitment to social impact. As CEO and owner, she has embraced technology to keep the business competitive and maintained a commitment to sourcing high-quality, single-origin co ee. She has also built partnerships with female farmers and fostered an inclusive culture that empowers her team to contribute to the company’s mission.
Romero expanded Mothership’s reach through an e-commerce subscription platform that ships co ee directly to customers, creating a steady revenue stream and broadening the company’s customer base. She implemented AI-powered forecasting to optimize inventory and reduce waste, and invested in energy-e cient roasting equipment to advance sustainability without sacrificing flavor.
Her leadership extends beyond operations. Romero engages customers through targeted digital marketing and social media, strengthening loyalty and highlighting the people and practices behind each roast. Through the company’s Sip with Purpose program, she directs proceeds to local charities, aligning the brand with community needs.
Romero also mentors entrepreneurs through SCORE Las Vegas and participates in the SBA Emerging Leaders Program to support the growth of other small businesses.
PRIVATE SMALL-MIDSIZED BUSINESS
PRIVATE LARGE BUSINESS
Angie Cosca
Chief Information Officer, Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging
At the intersection of health care technology and community influence is Angie Cosca, chief information officer at Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging. Of her 20 years in health care IT, 17 have been with SDMI, where she has helped the family-owned practice evolve into a modern, technology-driven organization.
Cosca began her career as a picture archiving and communications system administrator and went on to build SDMI’s IT department from the ground up, leading projects in cybersecurity, hardware upgrades and AI integration, including tools to streamline imaging analysis. She is recognized for advancing infrastructure—from servers and PACS to more than 600 workstations—while maintaining a strong record for data security and patient privacy.
Her leadership extends beyond SDMI. Cosca serves as president of the Information Systems Security Association’s Las Vegas chapter, where she teaches the CISSP certification course. She also sits on the board of the Society for Information Management and is a member of InfraGard, the FBI’s private-sector cybersecurity partnership.
Her mentorship through Tech Impact’s ITWorks program earned her the 2024 Volunteer Mentee of the Year Award, with several graduates now on her team.
PUBLIC COMPANY
Victor Blanco
Chief Technology O cer, Light & Wonder
Victor Blanco brings a strategic and product-focused mindset to his role as chief technology o cer at Light & Wonder, where he leads global innovation and cross-platform technology development. Since joining the company, he has prioritized platform unification and streamlined product workflows and scalable software architecture to support sustained business growth.
Blanco oversees more than 600 employees across nine global development centers, guiding e orts to consolidate systems, manage technical debt and advance embedded technology capabilities. His leadership has helped align engineering operations with long-term goals, contributing to Light & Wonder’s consistent double-digit growth.
Before joining the gaming and entertainment company, Blanco played a central role in several landmark technology launches. At HTC, he partnered with Google to release the first Android device. Prior to that, while at Microsoft, he led development of the original Xbox Dashboard interface.
Blanco holds more than 50 U.S. patents spanning gaming automation, gaming systems and interfaces in automobiles and small computer devices. He is recognized for his disciplined approach to quality, his ability to connect technical strategy with business impact and his commitment to building high-performing teams that deliver innovative, reliable products across global markets.
HOSPITALITY, ENTERTAINMENT & TOURISM
Clinton
HEALTHCARE & BIOTECH
Edgar Garrobo Vice President of Information Security, Astrana Health
At Astrana Health, Edgar Garrobo leads efforts to align secure, scalable technology with the organization’s mission to deliver high-quality, value-based care. As vice president of information security, he directed the deployment and optimization of Astrana’s proprietary technology platform that integrates care coordination, data analytics and patient engagement. The system improved communication among primary care providers, specialists and urgent care teams, reducing patient wait times and enhancing outcomes. Garrobo also introduced predictive analytics and machine learning to identify high-risk populations and support more proactive care management. These capabilities helped reduce hospital re-admissions and improve efficiency across the network.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Garrobo guided the expansion of telehealth services to maintain continuity of care and increase access for underserved communities. He also advanced the integration of electronic medical records with internal systems, easing administrative workload and improving provider satisfaction. He played a key role in scaling technology following strategic acquisitions, including the integration of the Prospect Health business. Garrobo remains deeply involved in the broader health IT community. He is a member of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, contributes to regional technology collaborations that drive innovation in care delivery and mentors emerging professionals committed to improving health systems.
Through a career that bridges entertainment, education and technology, Clinton Sparks has built platforms that do more than entertain—they create opportunity. As founder of the Global Gaming League, he leads the Las Vegas-based esports and digital media company that connects underserved communities with careers in game development, streaming and digital marketing.
A Grammy-nominated producer and seasoned entrepreneur, Sparks guided the launch of GGL’s first content creation facility in Las Vegas’s Historic Westside, offering hands-on training and career access in a neighborhood long overlooked by the tech sector. He also developed GGL Academy’s interactive curriculum, which blends gamified learning and AI tools to boost student engagement and expand educational partnerships.
Sparks is closely involved in program development, innovation strategy and community outreach. His partnerships with organizations like Nevada Partners and Valhallan Esports have helped introduce structured mentorship, leadership training and workforce development initiatives across Southern Nevada.
Beyond his organizational role, Sparks speaks frequently at industry events and youth summits, advocating for inclusive technology and cultural relevance in digital education. His leadership reflects a belief that the future of tech must be built for everyone. Through GGL, he’s helping ensure that vision becomes a reality.
Sparks Founder, Global Gaming League
COX INNOVATION
Gary Larkin
Co-founder and President, Koin Payments
Digital payments have advanced rapidly in recent years and Gary Larkin has played a key role in that progress. As president and co-founder of Koin Payments, he has helped grow Koin from its online gaming roots into a platform for hospitality, retail and entertainment with instant, secure, fee-free transactions.
Before launching Koin, Larkin held senior roles at TNS Payments and Debit Plus, developing payment innovations for global institutions including Visa and the World Bank. This experience helped shape Koin’s early focus on the rigorous requirements of online gaming and its later expansion into broader commercial use.
At Koin, Larkin led investments in cloud infrastructure, advanced security protocols and flexible APIs. These upgrades eased partner integration and lowered operating costs, while maintaining high performance as transaction volumes doubled. In 2023, he led an innovation sprint that secured partnerships with hotel chains and entertainment companies, introducing real-time analytics to anticipate demand and prevent fraud.
Active in the Las Vegas tech community, Larkin mentors early-stage entrepreneurs, speaks at industry events and advises startups on building secure, scalable platforms for global markets.
Brandon Ward
Brandon Ward brings a mission-driven approach to technology as founder of The WE Mentality, a Las Vegas-based company that blends leadership development with digital tools. Through coaching, workshops and AI-driven systems, he supports clients ranging from veterans and students to entrepreneurs and government agencies.
One of his most notable achievements is LemonBot—an AI-powered business assistant that helps early-stage entrepreneurs craft business plans, understand finances and tailor strategies to their communication styles. The tool anchors his broader initiative, the Lemonade Stand Business Plan, a tech-integrated program combining storytelling, personality science and AI to teach business fundamentals. Delivered through sponsored programs, the initiative and its tools have supported more than 250 youth.
In addition to leading The WE Mentality, Ward serves as a business advisor for the Veterans Business Outreach Center, where he teaches veteran-owned businesses to use CRM platforms, LivePlan and AI marketing tools to grow. His leadership blends vision, empathy and consistent execution. He is also involved in mentorship and education through partnerships with Junior Achievement, Nevada Partners, Toastmasters and the Clark County School District. Through his work, Ward demonstrates how technology— when guided by empathy and purpose—can expand opportunity and create lasting change.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
Carami Olsen
Founder, Pilula
Carami Olsen is the founder of Pilula, a Henderson-based wellness technology startup o ering a thoughtful approach to daily medications and supplements. Its flagship product, the Pilula Pod, combines a sleek pill organizer with a companion app that manages reminders, tracks usage and allows for shared wellness monitoring. The design avoids the clinical aesthetic of medical devices, aiming instead for something discreet and suited to daily life.
The concept was born from Olsen’s personal experience. While following a strict supplement regimen, she struggled to find tools that were both functional and appropriate for professional settings.
Olsen began her career in brand management before spending more than a decade teaching business in the Clark County School District. She created a program that allowed high school students to earn college credit if they met GPA and testing requirements. She also holds degrees from UNLV and a digital marketing certificate from San Diego State.
Pilula took shape with support from UNLV Black Fire Innovation, the Nevada Small Business Development Center and the Fusion 42 accelerator. Since launch, Pilula has reflected Olsen’s aim to create wellness tools that are practical, well-designed and aligned with real-world routines.
TOP TECH OF THE YEAR
Seth Ravin
Chief Executive O cer, Rimini Street, Inc
Seth Ravin has built a career challenging convention. As CEO of Rimini Street, he has reshaped the economics and expectations of enterprise software support. Since launching the company in 2005, he has turned a startup vision into a global operation with more than 2,000 employees and nearly 6,000 client contracts. Under his leadership, Rimini Street has helped clients save more than $9 billion, avoiding costly vendor-driven upgrades and gaining flexibility over their IT strategies.
Ravin, a veteran of PeopleSoft and Oracle, saw an opportunity to deliver better enterprise software support at a lower cost. That insight led to Rimini Street’s core o erings, including an AI-powered service platform and support for Oracle, SAP and other systems. His approach prioritizes client value, with guaranteed response times for critical issues and personalized service.
The company’s broader portfolio includes security, observability, managed services and system interoperability. Strategic partnerships with ServiceNow, Salesforce and AWS reflect Rimini Street’s expanding influence.
Ravin’s work has earned recognition for its technical rigor and business impact. As enterprise IT leaders face pressure to drive e ciency and avoid vendor lock-in, he o ers a proven alternative rooted in independence, longterm value and measurable outcomes.
