Automation Alley Recognizes Technology Leaders at 11th Annual Awards Gala

TROY -- Automation Alley, Michigan's largest technology business association, announced the winners of its 11th Annual Awards Gala at the MGM Grand Detroit on Friday, Oct. 14.

Receiving Automation Alley's newest award -- "Global Trader of the Year" -- was The Wireless Source of Bloomfield Hills.

Founded in 1999, The Wireless Source provides trade-in and recycling programs for mobile electronics to national retailers and electronics manufacturers. An Automation Alley member since 2003, Bob Sullivan, president and CEO of The Wireless Source, served as president of the Automation Alley International Business Services Advisory Council from 2003 to 2009.
The Wireless Source currently exports to China, Vietnam, Australia, Mexico and other Latin American countries and has also been awarded the Export Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Automation Alley Annual Awards Gala is known as one of Southeast Michigan's premier events recognizing technology businesses and their leaders. Companies, organizations and individuals are nominated for specific award categories prior to the event. Nominations may be submitted by any company or individual through the Automation Alley Website. A panel of judges then selects three finalists for each category, and winners are announced at the gala event.

This year's Awards Gala featured remarks by special guests Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Oakland County Executive and Automation Alley Founder L. Brooks Patterson.

"This year's gala was a snapshot of what lies ahead for this region," said Automation Alley Executive Director Ken Rogers. "It's a time of exciting technology innovations, thriving entrepreneurial spirit and unprecedented collaboration."

Additional award winners include:

* Educational Program of the Year: Utica Community Schools Center for Science and Industry, which provides a rigorous academic program for students pursuing a career in technology. Advanced technical training is offered in the areas of engineering technology, mechatronics and multi-media technology. Students have access to work-based learning opportunities, including job shadowing, mentoring and internships.

* Automation Alley Member of the Year: Al Carpinelli, Logic Solutions Inc., Ann Arbor. Carpinelli is a business development manager with Logic Solutions. He is a champion of Automation Alley in the technology community and serves as the chair of the Automation Alley technology committee.

* Emerging Leader of the Year: Daniel Jaraczewski, president, R&E Automated Systems, Sterling Heights. Jaraczewski leads all departments of his company, from sales to mechanical design to industry repair. In six years, he saw his company grow from two employees and $1,500 in sales to 225 employees and $17 million in sales.

* Entrepreneur of the Year: Paul Angott, president, Angott Medical Products LLC, Bloomfield Hills. Angott has launched five companies, created hundreds of jobs, and is the inventor on 40 patents. He has raised more than $10 million for his entrepreneurial ventures and has sold more than $100 million of his patented products. His current venture is developing a painless, low-cost, radiation-free device to screen for breast cancer, with the potential to save thousands of lives each year.

* Technology Company of the Year: Lakeside Software, Bloomfield Hills. Lakeside Software develops business intelligence systems for IT professionals. They were named a "Cool Vendor" in personal computing by Gartner. The company recently launched a research and development center in Oakland County, hiring 150 new software engineers.

"Automation Alley is proud to recognize and honor tonight's winners," said Rogers. "They are leading the charge toward a bright technology future."

The event was emceed by Peter Carey, a local actor with film credits that include roles in this year's "Real Steel" and "Machine Gun Preacher."

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. was the event sponsor. Individual award sponsors include Educational Program of the Year sponsored by Kelly Services Inc.;  Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by TechTown; and Technology Company of the Year sponsored by Logic Solutions Inc.

Since its founding in 1999, Automation Alley has expanded to include nearly 1,000 businesses, educational institutions and government entities from the City of Detroit and the surrounding eight county region. Automation Alley promotes regional prosperity through entrepreneurial and exporting assistance, workforce development and technology acceleration.

For additional information, visit www.automationalley.com.