Softec's IMPACT award recognizes the best in technology on the central coast. The award is not presented on any set schedule and is loosely based on Hall of Fame approach. To be eligible for an IMPACT award the person and/or organization must have created substantial impact on the technology industry as a whole in one or more of the targeted areas.  

The Softec Board of Directors authorized the IMPACT Awards Program in 2005 to recognize outstanding achievement by organizations or individuals in the technology sector. IMPACT is an acronym for, Innovation, Management, Public Service, Advocacy, Community, and Technology, the major categories of the award. Henry Hernandez, Chairman and President of Softec, stated, “We know that there are dozens of great technology success stories on the Central Coast and Softec intends to showcase those businesses and individuals. Technology is one of the industries that makes our quality of life possible and we think its time say thanks to those that make it happen here.”

Softec is the central coast’s leading technology industry group and has been providing industry networking of the humankind since 1995. With over 200 member companies and over 800 individual members Softec is by far the largest and most active technology group on the central coast. Softec’s membership includes leaders from industry, education, and the public sector and plays a key role in our community by supporting new business formation and business advocacy in technology. Softec’s membership ranges geographically across all of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County and often attracts visitors to its monthly meetings from across the country, including representatives from industry leaders like HP and Microsoft.

The Softec IMPACT Awards honor the best of the best in technology on the central coast. Nominations can be made via email to bob@smsrd.com or faxed to (805) 481-0252. The Board of Directors will review the applications and decide on any awards.

Nominations for excellence in Innovation, Management, Public Service, Advocacy, Community, or Technology are encouraged. Current Board Members of Softec are not eligible for the Softec IMPACT award.

In December of 2005 the 1st IMPACT Awards were presented to:

The Honorable Andrea Seastrand, Executive Director, California Space Authority 

Mark Wright, Chairman, Ground Control