Angelos Angelou – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Economist, Strategist, Global Connector

Angelos Angelou has been a central figure in Austin’s economic evolution for more than three decades. As the founder and Principal Executive Officer of AngelouEconomics, he has led one of the nation’s most respected economic development consulting firms, guiding over 650 strategic projects that have resulted in more than $18 billion in capital investment. His work has helped cities, regions, and corporations craft thoughtful growth strategies and attract transformative business opportunities.

Before launching his firm, Angelos served as Vice President of Economic Development and Chief Economist at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce for 12 years. During that time, he was instrumental in helping shape the policies and partnerships that positioned Austin as a global center for innovation and technology-based development.

Angelos is also the founder and CEO of the International Accelerator, a unique program supporting foreign-born entrepreneurs as they launch U.S.-based tech startups. Through a 12-month immersive experience that includes housing, legal services, office space, mentorship, and investor introductions, the accelerator removes barriers and gives founders the support needed to succeed.

A global thinker with local roots, Angelos has been a tireless champion for inclusive growth, investment in future industries, and entrepreneurship. He is a founding member of the Site Selectors Guild and a trusted advisor to governments, business leaders, and startup founders alike.

In addition to consulting and strategy work, Angelos is an active investor in early-stage companies spanning clean energy, semiconductors, data centers, life sciences, and smart cities.

Through it all, Angelos Angelou remains committed to helping communities and companies thrive. His legacy is one of bold vision, economic empowerment, and a relentless drive to connect ideas with opportunity—all while keeping Austin at the heart of the global conversation on innovation.

Joshua Baer – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Startup Champion, Investor, Ecosystem Builder

Joshua Baer has played a major role in shaping Austin’s identity as one of the country’s most dynamic startup cities. As the founder and CEO of Capital Factory, he created the region’s most prominent startup hub—connecting founders with investors, customers, talent, and mentorship. Under his leadership, Capital Factory has become the center of gravity for Texas entrepreneurship, supporting thousands of companies and helping position Austin as a national leader in innovation.

Josh launched his first startup in 1996 while still a student at Carnegie Mellon University, sending some of the earliest email marketing messages from his college dorm room. After relocating to Austin, he founded and sold multiple companies before shifting his focus to accelerating the next generation of entrepreneurs. His work has empowered countless founders to leave their jobs, take risks, and launch companies with purpose and potential.

Through initiatives like the Capital Factory Fellowship Fund, he invests in mission-driven startups, including ventures led by Henry Crown Fellows through the Aspen Institute. Josh also teaches a course on entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at Austin, where he inspires students to think big and act boldly.

Baer’s influence extends well beyond Austin. He is a Henry Crown Fellow and Braddock Scholar at the Aspen Institute, an Eisenhower Fellow, and a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Young Leaders Forum. He has received the Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty Award for his leadership and civic engagement.

Josh Baer has built more than companies—he’s built a movement. His work has helped transform Austin into a thriving startup city, and his belief in the power of people to change the world through entrepreneurship continues to ripple through the community he’s helped create.

Dr. John Sibley Butler – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Scholar, Entrepreneurial Strategist, Civic Voice

Dr. John Sibley Butler has spent decades shaping the way we think about entrepreneurship, innovation, and community. A renowned professor and researcher, Dr. Butler holds the J. Marion West Chair for Constructive Capitalism in the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, and a joint appointment in the College of Liberal Arts, where he serves as the Darrell K. Royal Regents Professor in Ethics and American Society.

His academic work centers on entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, and the power of new ventures to drive societal change. He is the author of several influential books, including Entrepreneurship and Self-Help Among Black America and All That We Can Be: Black Leadership and Racial Integration the Army Way—which won the Washington Monthly Best Book Award. His research has appeared in national media including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and U.S. News & World Report.

Dr. Butler is also the Sam Barshop Fellow at the IC² Institute, where he has worked to promote the creation and growth of ventures around the world. He has served as a visiting professor at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo and was recently named a Libra Professor at the University of Southern Maine.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Butler has advised corporations, military institutions, and public policy leaders. He served on the Economic Advisory Team for Governor George W. Bush’s 2000 Presidential Campaign and has consulted for State Farm Insurance and other major organizations.

John Sibley Butler’s commitment to entrepreneurship, ethics, and community development has left a powerful mark on Austin and beyond. His leadership continues to inspire new generations of innovators and civic-minded entrepreneurs.

Joyce Durst – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
2024 Inductee – Austin Tech Hall of Fame
CEO, Trailblazer, Champion for Women in Tech

Joyce Durst began her journey by earning a B.S. in computer science from Texas A&M University as a first-generation college student—setting the tone for a career built on resilience, innovation, and purpose. In the late 1990s, she broke barriers by becoming one of the few women to reach the executive ranks of a $1 billion enterprise software company. She later transitioned into startup leadership, taking the helm as CEO of a venture-backed company where her passion for building strong, resilient teams came to life.

Under her leadership, the company navigated the turbulence of the early 2000s tech downturn, raised more than $21 million in funding over six years, and ultimately achieved a successful exit. Her ability to lead through change and build lasting company cultures set her apart in Austin’s growing technology scene.

Joyce is a sought-after speaker on leadership and women in business. She contributes to Inc. Magazine’s Springboard Enterprises blog and is deeply committed to mentoring women CEOs and first-time entrepreneurs, particularly in the often-daunting world of fundraising. As a platinum member of the Women Presidents’ Organization, she coaches and advises executive women with honesty, encouragement, and deep insight.

Her civic engagement includes serving on the Board and Executive Committee of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, where she chairs the Global Tech and Innovation Committee. In this role, she works with fellow executives and regional leaders to shape policies that drive economic growth and innovation.

Joyce’s influence extends globally through GAP’s support of Pioneeras, a nonprofit advancing women in STEM careers in Colombia. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year, the Profiles in Power award, and the Top CEO honor at the Greater Austin Business Awards.

Bob Fabbio – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Serial Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, Ecosystem Builder

Bob Fabbio is one of Austin’s most influential tech pioneers, known for founding and scaling companies that have shaped the city’s innovation landscape. With a career spanning over three decades, he has founded or led nine companies, created more than $1.7 billion in shareholder value, and played a pivotal role in establishing Austin as a hub for enterprise software and venture-backed startups.

In 1989, Fabbio founded Tivoli Systems, a company that redefined enterprise systems management. Tivoli went public in 1995 and was acquired by IBM in 1996 for $743 million. He followed that success by founding Dazel Corporation in 1993, a leader in enterprise output management, which Hewlett-Packard acquired in 1999 for $180 million.

Fabbio’s entrepreneurial ventures continued with the founding of WhiteGlove Health in 2006, a tech-enabled healthcare service, and eRelevance Corporation in 2013, a customer engagement platform for small businesses. He also held leadership roles at Cesura, VIEO, and Agere Systems, and served as a venture partner at Austin Ventures and managing director at TL Ventures.

Beyond his ventures, Fabbio has been a mentor and advisor to numerous startups, contributing to the growth of Austin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. His contributions have been recognized with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and inclusion in Forbes’ Midas List of Top 100 Technology Venture Investors.

Bob Fabbio’s legacy is evident in the thriving tech community of Austin, where his vision and leadership continue to inspire entrepreneurs and innovators.

Lori Hawkins – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Journalist, Business Reporter, Community Chronicler

For over three decades, Lori Hawkins played a defining role in documenting the evolution of Austin’s technology ecosystem. As a longtime business reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, Lori covered the rise of startups, the growth of mid-sized companies, and the impact of major tech players who planted roots in Central Texas during the city’s high-growth years.

From the 1990s through the early 2020s, Lori was a trusted voice in Austin’s business journalism. She interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs, executives, and investors, capturing both the momentum and complexity of a community on the rise. Her reporting offered readers not only insight into business trends but also the personal stories behind the logos—humanizing innovation and celebrating the people behind the progress.

Before joining the Statesman in 1993, Lori built a global perspective with Reuters, reporting from Mexico and Central America. Her international experience and sharp curiosity shaped the depth and integrity of her local coverage. She briefly left Austin to work at BusinessWeek in the early 2000s, but quickly returned, reaffirming her belief that local journalism—and Austin—was where she belonged.

Colleagues often described Lori as a cornerstone of the newsroom—curious, kind, and fiercely dedicated to the craft. Her stories helped connect the dots between business and community and served as a lasting archive of Austin’s emergence as a top-tier innovation center.

Lori Hawkins didn’t just report on Austin’s tech scene—she chronicled its growth, elevated its voices, and helped shape how the world came to see this city. Her legacy lives on in the stories she told and the community she helped illuminate.

Laura Kilcrease – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Venture Capitalist, Ecosystem Builder, Innovation Advocate

Laura Kilcrease is a long-time champion of the Austin tech community and a driving force behind the city’s transformation into one of the nation’s leading innovation hubs. Widely recognized for helping guide Austin’s shift from a government and academic town to a thriving high-tech economy, Laura has spent decades building infrastructure, networks, and momentum for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

With more than 25 years of experience in commercializing technology, Laura founded Triton Ventures, LP, a venture capital fund that helped fuel the next generation of Texas startups. She played a key role in launching the Austin Technology Incubator—one of the first of its kind in the U.S.—and co-founded the Austin Technology Council, an organization that remains central to Austin’s economic development efforts. She also founded the Capital Network, which became one of the largest and most active angel investor networks in the country, supporting more than $150 million in early-stage funding.

Laura has consistently brought energy, vision, and impact to every initiative she touches. A respected voice in both the public and private sectors, she has served on numerous boards, including the Women’s Leadership Advisory Board at Harvard University’s Kennedy School, the Beyster Institute, the IC² Institute at The University of Texas, and currently the University Federal Credit Union.

Her contributions have been recognized with multiple honors, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Profiles in Power Award from the Austin Business Journal, and the Trailblazer Award from UT’s McCombs School of Business.

Laura Kilcrease continues to be an influential leader in the Austin tech community—a tireless advocate for entrepreneurship, collaboration, and long-term economic growth. Her legacy is embedded in the people, organizations, and companies she has helped to shape and inspire.

Dr. George Kozmetsky – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Visionary, Educator, Economic Architect

Without Dr. George Kozmetsky, much of the foundation that grew Austin’s tech economy would not exist. As the first Legacy/Foundational inductee into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame, his impact on the city’s transformation is both profound and enduring.

Dr. George Kozmetsky (October 5, 1917 – April 30, 2003) was a visionary technology innovator, business leader, educator, author, and philanthropist. He co-founded Teledyne Inc., one of the most successful technology conglomerates of its time, and later served as dean of the University of Texas College of Business Administration (now the McCombs School of Business) for 16 years. During his tenure, he helped elevate the school’s national reputation and positioned it as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship.

In 1977, Dr. Kozmetsky founded the IC² Institute, a groundbreaking think tank created to explore and expand the intersection of business, government, and education. The Institute quickly became a global model for how regional economies could be transformed through innovation, collaboration, and commercialization of technology.

In recognition of his lifelong commitment to innovation and economic development, Dr. Kozmetsky received the National Medal of Technology in 1993, one of the highest honors awarded for technological achievement in the United States.

His academic journey began at the University of Washington, where he was part of the ROTC program. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he went on to earn both his MBA and Doctor of Commercial Science degrees from Harvard Business School.

In 2002, he was named a Fellow of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, further solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in academia, business, and civic life. Dr. Kozmetsky’s vision laid the groundwork for Austin’s rise as a global innovation hub.

Joe Liemandt – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Entrepreneur, Visionary Leader, Talent Magnet

Joe Liemandt is one of the most influential tech entrepreneurs in Austin’s modern business history. As the founder and CEO of Trilogy Software, he played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s innovation culture in the 1990s and early 2000s. With a bold vision for enterprise software and an unconventional approach to talent development, Liemandt built Trilogy into one of the most dynamic technology companies of its time.

Under his leadership, Trilogy became known for its rigorous recruiting, bringing top engineering and business talent from around the country to Austin. The company’s bootcamp-style training and fast-paced culture turned young professionals into high-performing teams that tackled complex software challenges for major clients.

But Joe Liemandt’s impact on Austin extends far beyond Trilogy’s business success. He is widely credited with helping to seed the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by mentoring future founders, investing in new ventures, and inspiring a generation of innovators. The Trilogy alumni network has launched dozens of successful companies in Central Texas, creating a ripple effect that continues to influence the region’s growth.

Liemandt also went on to create ESW Capital, a firm known for acquiring and scaling enterprise software businesses globally, while remaining committed to keeping operations and leadership teams rooted in Austin.

A visionary with a relentless drive for results, Joe Liemandt helped define what it means to grow a tech company in Austin—not just through products, but through people.

Trilogy is one of the companies credited with bringing very smart engineers and business professionals to Austin, many of whom went on to found companies of their own in Central Texas.

Pike Powers – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Public Servant, Advocate, Mentor, Catalyst

Pike Powers was a driving force behind Austin’s rise as a technology and innovation hub. His career blended public service, legal expertise, and civic leadership in a way that uniquely positioned him to guide Austin’s transformation during a critical time in its development.

Pike began his career in public service as a member of the Texas Legislature and later served as chief of staff to Governor Mark White. In these roles, he helped shape state policy around economic development, education, and innovation. He understood early on that the future of Texas—and Austin in particular—would be closely tied to its ability to attract technology companies, research institutions, and top talent.

A respected attorney, Pike spent decades at the law firm Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright), where he became a trusted advisor to business leaders and policymakers alike. But it was his role outside the courtroom that left an enduring mark. Pike was instrumental in bringing the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) and the SEMATECH consortium to Austin—two pivotal wins that cemented the city’s reputation as a center for advanced research and tech innovation.

Beyond his professional achievements, Pike was known as a tireless mentor and connector. He believed in the power of community, collaboration, and paying it forward. He gave his time generously to rising leaders in government, higher education, and business, many of whom credit him as a guiding influence in their careers.

Pike Powers never sought the spotlight, but his behind-the-scenes leadership helped light the path forward for Austin. His belief in the city, and his commitment to bringing people together to solve big challenges, made him one of the most important and beloved figures in Austin’s tech evolution.

Carol Thompson – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Entrepreneur, Civic Leader, Connector

Carol Thompson is a pioneering figure in Austin’s technology and business landscape. In the 1980s, she owned and operated ComputerLand, the go-to destination for Austinites purchasing their first personal computers. Her store played a crucial role in demystifying technology for the local community, making computing accessible to both individuals and businesses during a transformative era.​alliancebanktexas.com+8Home+8FRASER+8

Breaking barriers, Carol became the first woman to chair the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, where she championed inclusive economic development and fostered collaboration across sectors. Her leadership helped shape policies that supported the city’s burgeoning tech industry and entrepreneurial spirit.​

In the 1990s, Carol founded The Thompson Group, a consulting firm dedicated to educating and connecting community members. Through workshops and mentorship, she emphasized the importance of civic engagement and the power of showing up, inspiring countless individuals to take active roles in their communities.​

Carol’s commitment to public service extended to the financial sector, where she served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. In this role, she contributed to shaping monetary policy and provided valuable insights into the economic needs of the region.​

A true connector, Carol Thompson’s influence is evident in the numerous leaders and organizations she has guided. Her dedication to community engagement and her trailblazing efforts in technology and business continue to inspire and shape Austin’s dynamic landscape.

John Thornton – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Venture Capitalist, Civic Visionary, Journalism Pioneer

John Thornton’s influence on Austin’s business and civic landscape was both foundational and visionary. As a general partner at Austin Ventures, he led nearly 50 software investments and played a central role in building the region’s reputation as a vibrant hub for technology and entrepreneurship. His leadership helped fuel the growth of countless startups, creating jobs, attracting talent, and shaping the future of Austin’s economy.

In 2009, John turned his attention to another area in need of innovation: journalism. Seeing the decline of traditional news coverage in Texas, he founded The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization devoted to public-interest reporting on politics, policy, and statewide issues. Thornton provided the initial funding and recruited industry leaders to launch the organization. The Tribune quickly became a national model for sustainable local journalism and helped spark a movement to reimagine how news is delivered at the state and local levels.

John later co-founded the American Journalism Project, a venture philanthropy initiative that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support nonprofit newsrooms across the country. His work helped rebuild the infrastructure for local journalism in dozens of communities, reinforcing the importance of informed civic engagement.

Beyond business and media, John gave generously of his time and leadership, serving on the boards of Ballet Austin, the Austin Museum of Art, the Harry Ransom Center, and as a trustee of Trinity University. He was known for his intellectual rigor, deep sense of service, and belief in the power of institutions to do good.

John Thornton passed away in March 2025 at the age of 59. His contributions to Austin’s tech growth and his vision for a more informed public remain a lasting part of his legacy.

Dr. James Truchard – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Inventor, Entrepreneur, Engineering Visionary

Dr. James Truchard, widely known as “Dr. T,” is one of the foundational figures in Austin’s rise as a global technology center. In 1976, while working at the University of Texas at Austin’s Applied Research Laboratories, he co-founded National Instruments (now NI) with Jeff Kodosky and Bill Nowlin. Starting from a garage, the team built a company that would go on to transform how engineers and scientists approach measurement, testing, and automation.

Under Truchard’s leadership as president and CEO for nearly four decades, NI became a global leader in test and measurement systems. One of the company’s major breakthroughs was the development of LabVIEW, a revolutionary graphical programming platform that enabled users to build complex systems visually, without traditional coding. This innovation was a game-changer for industries including aerospace, automotive, electronics, and academia.

As NI grew to serve customers in more than 50 countries, Truchard remained committed to fostering a strong, people-first company culture. He built an environment that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and lifelong learning—earning NI recognition as one of the best places to work, year after year.

Dr. Truchard is also a champion of education and innovation beyond the walls of NI. He has contributed generously to engineering programs and research initiatives, and he has supported students and faculty at major universities across Texas. His belief in hands-on learning and interdisciplinary problem-solving continues to shape the next generation of innovators.

James Truchard’s combination of technical brilliance, entrepreneurial courage, and community commitment helped define Austin’s technology ecosystem. He proved that world-changing companies can be built with integrity, vision, and a passion for empowering others.

Bill Wood – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
2013 Inductee – Austin Tech Hall of Fame
(In 2013 The Austin Technology Council started the Hall of Fame, but it was 11 more years before the program was fully launched. Bill Wood was the only inductee for those years.)

Bill Wood has long been recognized as one of the most influential figures in the Austin venture capital and startup ecosystem. As the founding partner of Silverton Partners, he helped shape the path for countless entrepreneurs, companies, and co-investors, establishing a reputation for strategic insight, mentorship, and long-term commitment to building businesses that last.

Before launching Silverton, Bill co-founded Austin Ventures, one of the most prominent and active VC firms in the region. He played a central role in funding and guiding early-stage technology companies at a time when Austin was emerging as a serious player in the national innovation economy. His belief in the potential of local entrepreneurs helped catalyze decades of sustained startup activity in Central Texas.

At Silverton, Bill helped solidify a model of early-stage investing that was hands-on, founder-friendly, and deeply embedded in the local business community. Under his guidance, the firm backed some of Austin’s most successful startups, and his work continues to ripple through the region in the form of new companies, new leaders, and a thriving investment culture.

More than an investor, Bill has been a trusted advisor, mentor, and advocate for the Austin tech community. His generosity with time and talent has influenced multiple generations of founders and helped make Austin a city where bold ideas can flourish.

As the first and only inductee in the original 2013 class of the Austin Tech Hall of Fame, Bill Wood stands as a symbol of what sustained leadership and belief in people can achieve.

Ellen Wood – Austin Tech Hall of Fame Inductee
Entrepreneur, Financial Innovator, Civic Leader

Ellen Wood is a trailblazer in Austin’s business and civic community, known for her strategic mind, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering commitment to helping companies grow. In 1996, she co-founded vcfo, a groundbreaking firm that introduced the concept of the “virtual CFO” to the Central Texas market. What began as an innovative idea grew into a trusted advisory firm serving thousands of businesses with financial strategy, HR support, and transactional guidance.

As CEO of vcfo, Ellen helped build a scalable model that empowered companies of all sizes to access executive-level expertise. Her leadership helped expand vcfo’s reach beyond Austin, while maintaining a strong focus on personalized service, integrity, and long-term relationships.

Ellen’s influence extends far beyond the boardroom. A passionate civic leader, she served as Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, bringing focus and energy to initiatives that strengthened the city’s innovation economy. Her leadership style reflects a deep belief in collaboration, and she has served on numerous boards and advisory councils that shape the region’s future.

Known for her mentorship and generosity, Ellen has guided countless entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders throughout her career. She is widely respected not just for her business acumen, but for her ability to bring people together and move big ideas forward.

Ellen Wood’s impact on Austin is lasting and profound. Through vcfo, she redefined how financial leadership could be delivered. Through her civic work, she helped shape a thriving, inclusive business environment. She represents the best of Austin’s spirit—innovative, community-minded, and always ready to help others succeed.

Ashley Rose – 2024 First-Time Founder Award Winner
Cybersecurity Innovator, Culture Builder, Visionary Leader

Ashley Rose is the CEO and co-founder of Living Security, one of Austin’s most exciting and impactful cybersecurity startups. Since founding the company in 2017, Ashley has led Living Security through sustained and impressive growth—raising over $25 million in funding and achieving accelerated revenue growth for three consecutive years.

Her mission is clear: reduce human risk by making people a security asset, not a liability. Ashley’s vision for Living Security emerged from a core belief that lasting cybersecurity doesn’t come from fear or compliance—it comes from education, empowerment, and behavior change. She built Living Security around this people-first philosophy and has worked to ensure that the company’s internal culture reflects that same mindset. Under her leadership, Living Security has become known for its inclusive, collaborative, and mission-driven team.

Ashley holds a BBA from the University of Michigan and has a background in product design and entrepreneurship. After launching her career in the tech industry, she became deeply interested in the growing importance of cybersecurity in the lives of individuals, families, and organizations. That curiosity—and her drive to solve complex problems—led to the founding of Living Security.

She is also a recognized voice in the cybersecurity space, contributing regularly to Forbes and other leading publications, where she shares insights on leadership, innovation, and how to tackle human risk in the digital age.

In 2024, Ashley Rose was named the recipient of the First-Time Founder Award, a recognition of her bold leadership, clear vision, and the incredible momentum behind Living Security. She represents the best of Austin’s entrepreneurial spirit—innovative, mission-focused, and committed to building a safer, more secure future.