Congratulations to Ferry County Extension Director Trevor Lane, who was one of more than 30 educators, entrepreneurs, students, and technology leaders honored as part of North Central Washington Tech Alliance’s Annual Innovator Awards.
Lane was one of 10 nominees for the Alliance’s STEM Champion of the Year award, which recognizes educators who are pursuing innovative approaches to learning through STEM experiences.
An assistant professor of community and economic development, Lane helps bridge digital divides and supports communities and rural businesses through outreach and education in technology, agritourism, and small business ecosystems. He co-founded the Community Intelligence Lab (CIL), a rural community think-tank that combines open data, machine learning, and science and citizen inquiry to address rural problems.
Lane was nominated for his work with 4-H Tech Changemakers, a national program that empowers 4-H members to teach digital skills and tools and find technological solutions to real world problems, as well as his efforts with Broadband Action Teams—county-based groups working to expand rural access to broadband Internet in partnership with Governor Jay Inslee’s Washington State Broadband Office.
The Annual Innovator Awards celebrates the drive, passion, and spirit of innovators in North Central Washington while inspiring those who are just starting their journey. Nominees were honored during a virtual award session on Sept. 29, 2021, presented by Microsoft, Peoples Bank, Equilus Capital Partners, and Ogden Murphy Wallace.
Other award categories included Entrepreneur of the Year, Future Technology Leader of the Year, STEM College Student Innovator of the Year, and Newcomer in Technology. Learn more about the 2021 Virtual Innovator Awards at ncwtech.org/innovators.
Formerly known as GWATA and founded in 1999, NCW Tech Alliance is a nonprofit organization supporting technology companies and entrepreneurs to create a thriving community. Learn about the Alliance at www.ncwtech.org