Awards

As a society, we get what we celebrate. Softec celebrates our community’s technologists, entrepreneurs, and creatives, who drive up the quality of life our family and friends enjoy on the central coast.

     The Softec IMPACT Award

The most Prestigious Softec award honoring lifetime achievements in technology, business, entrepreneurship, or community service.

Selection Process

At the beginning of the year, Softec sends all members an invitation to recommend a person and organization in one or more of the following categories.

  • Innovation
  • Management
  • Public Service
  • Advocacy
  • Community
  • Technology

After member submissions, the Softec Board of Directors debates the merit of each recommendation.

The Board oversees the due diligence of the award recommendation with all the claims validated.

The Board plans an award ceremony to present the Softec IMPACT.

The Softec IMPACT is not awarded every year, nor are there limits on the Board on the number of awards.

The Softec IMPACT has been awarded to:

  • Andrea Seastrand, California Space Authority
  • Eric Schwefler, Caliber Accounting and Softec Founder
  • Mark Wright, Individual Award for Contributions to the Tech Community
  • Tim Williams, Digital West, is now Astound Business Solutions.
  • Randy Flamm, IQMS
  • Jeffery Armstrong, Cal Poly, 2025 – Award Citation

Softec Community Service Award

The Softec CSA recognizes excellence in community service to the technology industry within our service region. As a community, we get what we celebrate, and Softec chooses to celebrate excellence in entrepreneurship, technology, and business.

In other words, we’re all about celebrating the brilliant people and innovations that our local wizards make in the ET Community.

Join us as we celebrate the people who keep this industry buzzing with excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship!

Recipients of the Softec CSA are:

  1. Victoria Hanna, Trust Automation – 2023. For exceptional service as Softec President during the COVID pandemic. She led Softec through exceptionally difficult times.
  2. Brian Schwartz, Self Publish – 2023. In recognition of outstanding contributions, encompassing a five-year tenure as Softec’s Brewmaster and the establishment and advocacy of Softec’s Tech Reads program, which actively engages thought-leading authors with the Softec ET Community.
  3. Clint Slaughter, MD, M.P.H. – SLO MakerSpace 2024. For the formation of the SLO MakerSpace as an extension of the ET Community. This community asset contributes greatly to new startups that have prototype-building needs and others that have to create physical products.
  4. Tyler Skinner – Next Wave Mentorship Program “ Evoke the leader within.”  2024. For the formation of the Women’s Business Mentoring program. This mentorship program & leadership experience support the evolution of the next generation of female leaders., which helps women develop business leadership skills.
  5. Lenzi Erickson – SLO County Coders – 2024. For the foundation and first-year operation of the SLO County Coders networking group. This amazing group helps connect Coders (aka Programmers) to others in our community. Learn more on their website or attend a Meetup.
  6. Joshua Farris – SLO Business Professional Networking Group – 2024. For the foundation and building a professional networking group. This group meets quarterly in SLO and serves business professionals. This is a Softec-like event, much like our Tech Brew, and Softec believes the more, the merrier when it comes to connecting the ET community.
  7. Sandra Dickerson – CEO Your People Professionals – 6/20/2024. For the past 40 years, Sandra and YPP have been incredible pillars of our community. Since the last century, they’ve been devoted supporters of Softec, playing key roles in launching the CEO Roundtables and contributing in many other meaningful ways. During the challenging times of the COVID pandemic, YPP stepped up as the Community’s HR Manager, ensuring our entire business community stayed informed and navigated the constant changes with clarity and support.
  8. Jay Hardy – President  Hardy Diagnostics – 9/26/2024. For his remarkable journey and leadership over the last 44 years at Hardy Diagnostics. Jay has provided vision and leadership from conception to the transformation into an employee-owned company with over 400 dedicated owners, Jay has been the driving force, embodying a vision of ethical excellence and community spirit. Jay’s leadership goes beyond business success—it’s about creating a positive, lasting impact. Whether it’s supporting the local community in visible or quiet ways, Jay’s contributions have always come from a place of genuine care, never seeking the spotlight. His actions consistently reflect an extraordinary sense of responsibility, integrity, and compassion, making him a successful entrepreneur and an inspiring role model.Today, we honor Jay not just for what he has built but also for how he has built it—with heart, humility, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right. Hardy Diagnostics donates 1% of its earnings to non-profit organizations in our community.
  9. Dick Melsheimer – Past President – Melford Borzall – 2025 – Award Citation
  10. Erik Justesen – CEO RRM Design Group – 2025 – Award Citation

Softec Star Award

The Star Award celebrates new businesses born from a Softec Moment—those sparks of inspiration and connection in our community. Seeing a new entrepreneur set off on a journey to change the world is always a thrill! This award is presented at our annual Summit by the Sea event, which serves as our community update every January. Although countless companies could have received this honor in years past, we officially started the Star Award in 2025.

Daniel Cortez – Radiant Cyber Defense.

January 2025

 

Karen Edwards – Central Coast Bicycles

January 2025