Five decades of medical, biotechnology and business leadership at Carilion Clinic have crescendoed for Nancy Howell Agee.
The Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council honored the Carilion Clinic CEO emeritus’ career on Thursday, inducting Agee into its Hall of Fame. Agee, who was born at the clinic’s flagship Roanoke Memorial Hospital and worked there as a candy striper, was president and CEO there from 2011 until her retirement last year.
“Her impact is felt by everyone, whether you’re receiving care, delivering care, or improving care,” Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said as he presented her with the honor. 
Agee’s induction highlighted RBTC’s TechNite 25th anniversary celebration. She and 13 other tech and life science leaders and businesses — both established and on the rise — got their recognition at Virginia Tech’s football-centric Beamer-Lawson Indoor Practice Facility. Giant images of Hokie athletes surrounded a crowd of about 500 as Sands heralded Agee’s career and noted that her years of difference-making are not over.
“She led the construction of the hospital of the future,” he said, referencing the Crystal Spring Tower addition at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. “And she continues to work on her passion project at Carilion Taubman Cancer Center, which will transform our region’s cancer care. … Nancy recognizes the driving force of innovation in Virginia’s economy, serving as chair of Go Virginia and helping lead Roanoke’s transformation from ‘train city to brain city.’”
The Hart of the Entrepreneur Award, which included $10,000, went to Qentoros, which is developing platelet-based therapeutics to heal what have been considered terminal orthopedic injuries in horses. The award, named for the late tech leader Bonz Hart, comes from an endowment that his closest associates set up.
Qentoros’ founder and chief scientific officer, Dr. Jessica Gilbertie, accepted the award on behalf of her Blacksburg-based company.
Other winners were:
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Kim Snyder, KlariVis
- Innovator of the Year: David Ayares, Revivicor
- Large Leading Tech Company of the Year (tie): Novonesis (formerly Novozymes) and Munters Corp.
- Small Leading Tech Company: The Tiny Cargo Co.
- Regional Leadership Award: Aileen Helsel, Carilion Clinic Innovation
- Rising Star in Biotech: Bacchus Therapeutics
- Rising Star in Tech: QlutchQMS
- STEM-H Educator of the Year: Gretchen Matthews, Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, Southwest Virginia
- K-12 STEM-H Educator of the Year: Megan Atkinson, Montgomery County Public Schools
- Ruby Award (for a key asset in fostering partnerships among organizations): Marc Nelson, director, Roanoke Economic Development
TechNite and RBTC’s original organizers began their missions decades ago to build a supportive community and show off their work to the wider world. Erin Burcham, CEO of RBTC umbrella organization Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance, told the audience to continue on that track.
“You’re boldly leading new ventures, global companies, with courage and vision,” Burcham said. “On the days that feel uncertain and isolated, remember this. We’re not alone. Look around, there are more than 500 allies and champions across the region and the state that are here cheering you on. This is your support network.”
[Disclosure: Carilion Clinic and Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance are among our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy.]
