Cascade senior, Chelan retailers, RiverCom 911 among NCW Tech Alliance Innovator Award winners

WENATCHEE — A Cascade High School senior who designed shoe insoles that generate electricity, the Chelan couple behind the Lake Life retail brand and the emergency dispatch center for Chelan and Douglas counties are among the winners of NCW Tech Alliance's 2026 Innovator Awards.

The nonprofit presented five awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award on Nov. 3 at its annual Innovator Awards Luncheon at the Wenatchee Convention Center. The alliance said more than 350 business leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, students and community partners attended.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the awards, which have recognized more than 120 individuals and organizations over that span, according to the alliance. The luncheon opened with a video honoring past winners, and videos also showcased this year's finalists. P2X Studio produced the videos.

"There is something incredibly meaningful about being recognized as an innovator by your own community," said Sue Kane, CEO of NCW Tech Alliance. "For 25 years, the Innovator Awards have helped us recognize not only what has been accomplished, but what's possible when communities invest in opportunity and innovation."

This year's winners:

K-12 Future Technology Leader of the Year: Elliot Tiegel, Cascade High School. The senior developed OhmLife Insoles, a concept for insoles that generate electricity from the movement and pressure of walking, turning everyday motion into portable power for electronic devices. Tiegel also won the Fan Favorite Award and $500 at the inaugural Flywheel Student Pitch Competition. The award was presented by Seattle Children's.

STEM College Innovator of the Year: Monica Oropeza Rojas, Wenatchee Valley College. Working with researchers at Washington State University's Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Oropeza Rojas has studied drip irrigation practices, orchard health and disease-vector management as part of research into X-disease, a serious threat to Washington's cherry industry. The award was presented by Student Energy Managers.

STEM Champion of the Year: Ryan Christoph, Omak School District. Christoph was honored for expanding career and technical education in the district, including hands-on learning and career pathways in robotics, engineering, computer science, aviation and skilled trades. The award was presented by the Port of Moses Lake.

Newcomer in Technology/Innovative Use of Technology in Business: RiverCom 911. The dispatch center, which serves 23 law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services agencies in Chelan and Douglas counties, was recognized for upgrading its dispatch systems, mapping capabilities and communications infrastructure. The award was presented by Central Washington University.

Entrepreneur of the Year: Kelli and Adam Rynd, Woodin Enterprises. Starting with the original Lake Life storefront in downtown Chelan, the Rynds have grown Woodin Enterprises into a multi-brand retail business, investing in e-commerce, digital marketing and operational systems that support several brands and locations, the alliance said. The award was presented by Key Methods.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Jenny Rickel. Rickel, chief operating officer of Native Network, served as board president of NCW Tech Alliance, then known as the Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance, from 2007 to 2015. The alliance cited her mentorship of entrepreneurs and her work connecting founders with resources. She has also emceed the Innovator Awards luncheon numerous times.

NCW Tech Alliance has worked since 1999 to promote workforce development, technology adoption and entrepreneurship in North Central Washington. More information is at ncwtech.org.