Chelan business owners, Cascade student win NCW Tech Alliance Innovator award

Adam and Kelli Rynd of Woodin Enterprises, which began with the Lake Life in downtown Chelan, accepted the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the NCW Tech Alliance Innovator Awards on Nov. 3 in Wenatchee. Photo courtesy: JP Portrait Studio, NCW Tech Alliance.

A Chelan couple behind the Lake Life retail brand and owners of Woodin Enterprises in Chelan, a Cascade High School senior, educators and RiverCom 911 have been awarded future technology Innovator of the Year awards as presented by NCW Tech Alliance at the Wenatchee Convention Center on Wednesday.

Entrepreneurs of the Year are Kelli and Adam Rynd, of Woodin Enterprises in downtown Chelan, now a multi-brand retail business.

Cascade student Elliot Tiegel designed shoe insoles that generate electricity.

Cascade High School senior Elliot Tiegel holds his K-12 Future Technology Leader of the Year award at NCW Tech Alliance's Innovator Awards Luncheon on Nov. 3 at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Tiegel developed OhmLife Insoles, a concept for insoles that generate electricity from walking. Photo courtesy: JP Portrait Studio, NCW Tech Alliance.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Wenatchee Valley College Innovator of the Year is Monica Rojas, who studied drip irrigation practices, orchard health and cherry tree disease-management.

STEM Champion of the Year is Ryan Christoph of the Omak School District, credited with expanding career and technical education in the district.

RiverCom won the Newcomer in Technology/Innovative Use of Technology in Business award.

NCW Tech Alliance also recognized Jenny Rickel with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her long standing leadership, mentorship and contributions to the region's technology and entrepreneurship community.

Sue Kane, CEO of NCW Tech Alliance said, "There is something incredibly meaningful about being recognized as an innovator by your own community."