Titans 2024 Nominees

Every year, Santa Cruz Works honors the people who have contributed to the growth of the local entrepreneurial and business community at our Titans Award event (aka Titans of Tech).

We are accepting nomination submissions until 5pm, Thursday November 7th for our 2024 Titans Awards event on December 4, 2024. Every week or so we will share some of the submissions we’ve received. If you don’t see your nominee this week, keep an eye out for the following week. Keep reading to see some of the inspiring folks who have been nominated already and click the button below to nominate someone who inspires you! Nominations are due by November 7 at 5pm. Best viewed on desktop.

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Round 3 Nominees

Gregor Veble Mikić

“Gregor exemplifies the qualities of a true innovator, a distinguished scientist, and a compassionate leader whose dedication has made significant contributions to the fields of aviation and technology. Gregor is an absolutely incredible human and we are so lucky to have him changing the world from right here in our beloved Santa Cruz. Gregor’s journey began with a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and his path is marked by a steadfast commitment to advancing aerodynamics and flight physics…In 2015, Gregor moved to Santa Cruz and joined Joby Aviation as Chief Aerodynamicist and Head of Flight Physics...In 2016, he was awarded the prestigious AIAA Piper General Aviation Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to general aviation. From there he has been personally involved in designing and optimizing the aerodynamics and propulsion systems of every aircraft concept at Joby, most of which are not publicly known…Today, he leads two departments comprising over 70 world class engineers who are responsible for developing some of the most advanced technologies at Joby... What truly sets Gregor apart isn’t just his technical achievements but also his character. Gregor is deeply empathetic, incredibly humble, and exceptionally intelligent... His leadership style fosters collaboration and innovation, encouraging his engineers to push beyond perceived limits while maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality and safety...His contributions are a testament to what can be achieved when deep expertise is paired with a true passion for innovation and the greater good. Santa Cruz would be proud to honor a figure like Gregor, whose work continues to shape the future of aviation and technology.” - Scott Berry

Patrick Cool

“I'd like to nominate [Patrick] due to his remarkable contributions to both the local tech community and the measurement equipment industry. With a wealth of experience as a Software Developer and IT Operations Manager, Patrick has dedicated his career to leveraging software automation and kaizen principles to enhance efficiency and minimize human errors across various technical processes.

Notably, Patrick’s work has significantly advanced the operations of thermal meter development and manufacturing in Marina, California, resulting in consistent year-over-year growth. By designing custom web configurators and streamlining workflows, he has played a key role in establishing thermal flow meters as a robust, successful segment in Monterey County’s technology landscape.

Beyond his technical achievements, Patrick has been instrumental in helping me foster community within our local tech ecosystem, exemplified by his efforts in helping to organize the Monterey Bay Tech Meetup. His commitment to community building and operational excellence makes him a deserving candidate for this year’s Titans Awards.”- Matt Cool

Keith Holtaway

“Keith Holtaway is an award-winning Bay Area business consultant with a 20-year track record of proven successes. He has helped germinated the seeds of his client's ideas and helped transform them into award-winning and successful, local and nationally recognized businesses. Keith works closely with CEOs, senior management, executive directors, project managers, small and large business owners, and start-ups to quickly get their best thinking in writing and begin seeing results. He works with the client and team to develop clear, concise and aligned plans for achieving their quarterly and annual objectives for revenue, profit, cost reduction and other key measurements that are important to the overall success of the organization.

Born in New Jersey, Keith has a Bachelor’s Degree in History and English, was the co-founder of Pizza My Heart, a past Executive Director of the Santa Cruz Downtown Association, Director of the Small Business Development Center #SBDC at Hartnell College, State Star for the Central California SBDC Region, holder of multiple awards for Excellence in Economic Performance for the Santa Cruz County SBDC, and co-winner of the 2016 Santa Cruz Nexties “Mentor of the Year” award. Keith also holds the rank of Sandan in Shorinji Ryu karate, as a 3rd-degree black belt.”

Joseph Erb

“…Professor Joseph Erb works in a range of media formats from video games to software and font design, animated films, and mapping. His work is impactful in the most significant sense in putting online in the major internet platforms Native American communities and their languages so they may no longer be invisible or rendered vanishing. An award-winning Cherokee media artist, Erb describes the aim of his research and creative agenda as “not only to create new media in Indigenous languages but to also build digital infrastructure for creating new media across all types of digital platforms”. Erb’s innovations, grounded in critical social engagement and in collaboration with the Cherokee Nation, are transforming the digital world both for and with Indigenous peoples in ways that benefit us all… In 2010, after years of relentless efforts led by Erb working in conjunction with Cherokee Nation leaders, including its chief, and Apple software engineers and leaders, Apple released Apple's iOS 4.1 which included a Cherokee keyboard for the first time. His work in this arena has positioned him as a sought after advisor to other Indigenous peoples across the country as they too work to get their own languages incorporated into these platforms. Notably, Erb went on to convince Google and Facebook to localize their web interface so that Cherokee youth can have a 100% native-language experience of social media and web browsing. In 2013 he worked to get Cherokee embedded in Windows operating system 8, and in 2017 he again partnered with Apple to create handwriting samples for text messaging on iOS. These enormous achievements have not only helped to preserve the Cherokee language but have also made it accessible and relevant in the digital age.

Erb has also led initiatives to put Indigenous nations literally on the map, working successfully to include Indigenous and First Nations on U.S. and Canadian digital maps. His meticulous collaboration with technology companies and Indigenous GIS departments to include Indigenous nations on global electronic maps like Google Maps and Apple Maps has brought unprecedented visibility to Indigenous sovereignties, allowing them to be recognized alongside other nations on a global platform. It is difficult to overstate the importance of this achievement, culturally and politically altering our worldview, so that Indigenous nations can be seen and not ignored…Joseph Erb’s work in animation, film, Indigenous language technology, software localization, and mapping – all rooted in advancing and expressing Indigenous cultures and nations – makes him an undeniable and irrefutable Titan of Tech of powerful magnitude for his social and technological impact both.” - Celine Parreñas Shimizu

Dr. Chris Benner

“Dr. Benner's work is in the area of equity and economic opportunity [and] focuses on shifting popular narratives and policy initiatives to recognize the importance of social collaboration. Challenging neo-liberal orthodoxy, which emphasizes the role of individuals responding to price-signals, much of his work demonstrates that our economy is largely built on collaboration and mutuality, and when we invest in that mutuality while centering racial justice, our economy performs better for most people, not just for those left behind. Dr. Benner argues that since some people benefit from our current economic structures, we need to support social movements for change, which can not only help shift power relations but also help overcome social divisions and strengthen our sense of interdependence. Some of the impact of this work can be seen in Salinas, where the Solidarity Economics framework he created with Dr. Manuel Pastor has now been adopted [by the ] James Irvine Foundation…Dr. Benner's work has also helped to inspire the California Jobs First Initiative..a $600 million program to promote a sustainable and equitable recovery from the pandemic..At UC Santa Cruz, Dr. Benner has been instrumental in [supporting] the early development of UC Santa Cruz's AgTech initiative, which applies interdisciplinary expertise to guide engineers, activists, farmers, and others toward socially responsible technology for a sustainable future…“ - Katharyne Mitchell

Thomas Sage Pedersen

“I am nominating Thomas for his courageous leadership and unwavering commitment to social justice. He has been a powerful advocate, standing up for critical social causes and actively supporting marginalized communities. His unwavering dedication to equity and inclusion was particularly impactful during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of heightened racial tensions. Thomas’s strength and compassion as a leader have not only unified communities but also inspired lasting change, across race, age and gender, making him a true Titan deserving of recognition.”

“[Thomas] exemplifies the qualities of a Titan through the long, illustrious and dedicated passion he has shown for our community. As the Founder and CEO of Everyone's Music School, he has expanded access to music education, fostering personal growth and social change. Through Ignite Nexus, Thomas has provided crisis management and personal growth coaching, supporting individuals and organizations in navigating challenges in the local political landscape and providing invaluable guidance around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. His podcast, Speak For Change, has lifted the voices of Black Youth and experience and his work on critical social issues, extending his impact beyond the local community. In addition..Thomas serves on the boards of the Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and Your Future is Our Business, contributing to the cultural and educational fabric of the region..His leadership, innovative thinking, and dedication to inclusivity and compassion make him a deserving candidate for the Titans Award.”

16 Nominations

Manel Camps

“He served UCSC for years and he supported many great UC-founded startups to succeed. He helped us get into UC Berkeley SkyDeck.”

Joshua Metz

“Josh Metz, Executive Director and co-founder of DART (mbdart.org), is a dedicated leader driving innovation and economic growth in the Monterey Bay and Central Coast regions. As former Economic Development Manager and Executive Officer at the Fort Ord Reuse Authority, he played a key role in regional economic recovery post-1994 Fort Ord closure, notably leading the recent successful effort to secure Joby Aviation’s presence at the Marina Airport. Under his leadership, DART has made significant advancements in supporting and facilitating community-based partnerships among several Monterey Bay organizations for emerging tech workforce development and critical infrastructure projects. Metz has spearheaded initiatives like the James Irvine Foundation-funded apprenticeship program with Joby Aviation, as well as several collaborative reports, studies and projects, securing over $3.5M in funding for innovation-driven economic strategies. His commitment to collaborating with regional stakeholders on transformative projects and fostering a regional innovation ecosystem make him a well deserving candidate for the SCW Titans of Tech award.”

2 Nominations

Wayne Fenton

“Wayne has had a rich experience in the tech world hiring over 500+ people during his career. Working at Oracle, Upwork all while support young entrepreneurs at UCSC. A true titan in all sense of the word and a champion for entrepreneurship and business.”

2 Nominations

Saul Reyes-Morales

“Creat[ed] SOMOS [a collaborative network of tech professionals committed to empowering aspiring tech individuals, fostering community growth, and addressing societal challenges through mentorship, community-driven projects, and professional development] and Cascarita [Cascarita streamlines recreational soccer league management with comprehensive tools for registration, communication, and data management. Key features include multi-lingual support, a custom form builder, a messaging interface, and a payment service, addressing common challenges faced by league managers. Additionally, Cascarita offers easy data querying and export options, ensuring efficient and effective league administration.]”

Round 2 Nominees

Jacob Knobel

“Jacob has been instrumental in founding and leading multiple startups, more than almost anyone else in our community. His entrepreneurial spirit and relentless drive have not only pushed the boundaries of technology but have also created numerous job opportunities locally. His ventures demonstrate a consistent commitment to innovation and economic growth in Santa Cruz…Jacob excels at guiding teams toward success. He is deeply committed to mentoring young professionals, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages learning and development. His ability to inspire and empower others has had a lasting impact on those he works with.”

Annie Otfinoski

“[Annie is] accelerating the electric vehicle transition by building DC fast charging stations across California.”

Joshua Metz

“Josh Metz, Executive Director and co-founder of DART (mbdart.org), is a dedicated leader driving innovation and economic growth...he played a key role in regional economic recovery post-1994 Fort Ord closure, notably leading the recent successful effort to secure Joby Aviation’s presence at the Marina Airport. Under his leadership, DART has made significant advancements in supporting and facilitating community-based partnerships among several Monterey Bay organizations for emerging tech workforce development and critical infrastructure projects. Metz has spearheaded initiatives like the James Irvine Foundation-funded apprenticeship program with Joby Aviation, as well as several collaborative reports, studies and projects, securing over $3.5M in funding for innovation-driven economic strategies. His commitment to collaborating with regional stakeholders on transformative projects and fostering a regional innovation ecosystem make him a well deserving candidate...” - Anonymous

Tim Sylvester

“Tim Sylvester, a full-time engineer at Joby has also demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing STEM education…As the leader of a non-profit organization supporting students in robotics, engineering, and design, he has empowered countless young minds to explore and innovate in these fields. His co-founding of math circles for students further showcases his commitment to fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By developing robotics clubs in Santa Cruz and Watsonville and partnering with FarmNG, Tim has helped students build projects like the Amiga farm robot, bridging the gap between education and real-world application. His dedication extends to teaching a robotics class at Sequoia High School, an alternative education program, where he inspires students who might otherwise lack access to such opportunities. Tim Sylvester’s contributions have not only enriched individual lives but have also strengthened the technological community as a whole.” - Jason Borgen

Jason K Eshraghian

“Four years ago, Jason developed a Python library that combines neuroscience with artificial intelligence (AI) to create spiking neural networks, a machine learning method that takes inspiration from the brain’s ability to efficiently process data.

Now, his open source code library — snnTorch — has surpassed 100,000 downloads and is used in a wide variety of projects, from NASA satellite tracking efforts to semiconductor companies optimizing chips for AI…Eshraghian is collaborating with people to push the field in a number of ways, from making biological discoveries about the brain, to pushing the limits of neuromorphic chips to handle low-power AI workloads, to facilitating collaboration to bring the spiking neural network-style of computing to other domains such as natural physics......

He's also a really nice guy, and one of the best new teachers on the hill.” - Nathan Westrup

Holger Schmidt

“Holger Schmidt is a Distinguished Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Narinder Kapany Chair of Optoelectronics at UC Santa Cruz. He is a Fellow in the National Academy of Inventors, the highest professional distinction for academic inventors, and received the Innovator of the Year award in April as part of the UC Santa Cruz Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards program.

His hybrid optofluidic platform, which draws on nanoscale optofluidics, biomolecular engineering, and electrical engineering, served as the foundation for a startup company called Fluxus that was founded to commercialize systems and solutions to advance the detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of disease. Fluxus was recently acquired by the Fujirebio Group, which aims to market and supply its technologies to diagnostics companies worldwide.” - Ryan Sharp

Tammie Weigl

“To me, Tammie is the very definition of a Titan of Tech. She’s worked tirelessly throughout her career as a public servant to improve technological outcomes for the good citizens of Santa Cruz county. She’s done as much as anyone to expand broadband access. And she’s just flat out a good egg.

As a technology company working the Santa Cruz County, working with Tammie has been one of the best outside partnerships of my career. We need more folks like Tammie working in for municipalities.” - James Hackett

Round 1 Nominees

Ash Robbins

“Ash Robbins is a trailblazer in the intersection of AI, robotics, and digital health technologies. As the Co-Founder and CTO of Immergo Labs, he leads the development of cutting-edge, AI-driven solutions that leverage Virtual Reality to revolutionize physical rehabilitation. His core work focuses on designing algorithms that allow real-time, embodied digital health platforms to track and analyze users’ movements with precision, helping patients recover more effectively from physical injuries. This innovation offers a transformative approach to healthcare, allowing physical therapists to monitor and guide rehabilitation with unprecedented accuracy and depth of insight…” - Aviv Elor

Michael Powell

“Michael Powell is a visionary leader at the intersection of biomechanics, AI, and immersive technologies, driving innovation in telehealth for physical rehabilitation. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Immergo Labs, he leads the development of an AI-driven virtual reality platform that enhances remote physical therapy by providing real-time movement tracking and personalized feedback, improving patient outcomes and accessibility. His unique combination of expertise in exercise science and computer engineering has allowed him to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and healthcare, transforming how physical therapy is delivered…” - Aviv Elor

Mircea Toedorescu

“Professor Mircea Teodorescu is a pioneering figure in the fields of bioelectronics, robotics, and brain organoid engineering, with a career that spans groundbreaking innovations in multiple disciplines. His research in bioelectronics has paved the way for advanced applications, such as smart bandages that accelerate wound healing using bioelectronic control systems—a technology with significant implications for veterans and others suffering from chronic wounds. In the field of robotics, Mircea has led innovations in soft exosuits for rehabilitation, allowing stroke patients and others with physical impairments to regain movement through adaptive, wearable robotics. His work on voxel-based robotics has introduced new paradigms in modular, flexible robotics, enabling more dynamic and reconfigurable robotic systems.”

2 Nominations

Patricio Guerrero

“Swellcycle is revolutionizing the surfing industry while also minimizing the environmental impact of the board shaping process. Swellcycle beautifully encapsulates the ethos of Santa Cruz, combining sustainability with innovation to leverage novel manufacturing processes to make the things we love better for the planet.”

3 nominations

Jimbo Phillips

“Artists often get overlooked in conversations about innovation, yet they play a crucial role in shaping brand narratives—whether through Steve Jobs’ minimalist white space or the bold art on a skateboard. Jimbo Phillips epitomizes this creative impact, from energizing the San Jose Sharks, MERGE4 socks, Santa Cruz murals, skateboards, band art, Santa Cruz Warriors and more, to supporting initiatives like the LB Project, which raises funds for organizations like Skateistan and the Harold Hunter Foundation…”- Cindi Busenhart

Cate Miller

“Cate Miller, CPA, is not only a finance professional but a force for positive change in Santa Cruz. She is a testament to the often underappreciated impact of the financial sector. Currently with Chiorini, Platt & Jacobs Certified Public Accountants, LLP, Cate previously served as a partner at Summit Accountancy Group, where she led with innovation, strategic acumen, and an unwavering commitment to ethical practices. Her ability to guide clients through complex financial landscapes exemplifies the value of finance as a pillar of business success. Cate’s influence extends into education as an accounting professor at California State University Monterey Bay. She has mentored countless students, preparing them to navigate the evolving world of finance…”

Hari Mix

“From conquering athletics at Stanford, to receiving his, teaching the next-gen of students, mastering some of the highest mountains in the world with no oxygen tank, and to becoming a world expert in metabolism to enable multiple newly awarded gold-medal Olympic athletes through his start-up Calorify, I nominate Hari Mix as a local Tech Titan.” - Alexi Sevastopoulos

Richard Edward "Ed" Green

“…Ed been instrumental in the founding of three companies that are commercializing DNA extraction, library generation, directed sequencing, and assembly techniques developed in his lab….Cantata Bio, Claret Bioscience, and Astrea Forensics were founded in and remain in Santa Cruz County...technologies from Dr. Green's lab [have helped] provide genetic profiles that have been used to identify individuals from cold cases stretching the last seven decades.

In addition, Ed is committed to training the next generation of UC Santa Cruz founders. In 2023, he was named the UC Santa Cruz director of QB3. QB3 is a program involving UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, and UC Santa Cruz that promotes entrepreneurship in biotechnology, with a focus on exposing graduate students and postdocs to entrepreneurship, managing incubators and accelerators, and providing fellowships to students and postdocs interested in founding companies…” -Jeff Jackson

Ed Colligan

“I am thrilled to nominate Ed Colligan for the Titan award, recognizing his tremendous impact on the tech industry and his invaluable contributions to the Santa Cruz community. Ed has long been a pioneering force in technology, innovation, and leadership, most notably as the former President and CEO of Palm, Inc. His visionary work helped shape the mobile computing landscape, leading the development of some of the most groundbreaking mobile devices and software of the early 2000s.

Beyond his achievements in technology, Ed has been a mentor, advisor, and inspiration to countless entrepreneurs and innovators in the Santa Cruz area. His dedication to fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem in our community is unmatched, consistently sharing his expertise to guide emerging talent.” - Ryan Evans