OREANDA-NEWS. April 07, 2016. Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a leading global technology distributor, announced today the winners of the 2016 Avnet Tech Games. In its 11th year, this STEM-based collegiate competition awarded 27 students with \\$1,000 scholarships each. Additionally, nine faculty advisors received \\$2,700 in honorariums for leading the winning teams to victory. Winners have been invited to attend a special tour of Avnet’s Chandler, Ariz. Global Solutions Center and will hear from Avnet executives and HR professionals about how to land a job in technology and prepare for a successful long-term career.

“When we began the Avnet Tech Games 11 years ago, we didn’t use the term STEM, but we knew that nurturing this discipline at the university and community college level was important,” said Steve Phillips, senior vice president, Chief Information Officer, Avnet, Inc. “Each year, this event gets better and we see more students competing for these valuable scholarships. Through the Avnet Tech Games, we are able to support educators and help prepare future technology leaders for a successful career.”

A panel of judges including technology executives, engineers and other business leaders selected the winners based on the students’ ability to meet the technical requirements of each task, apply innovative approaches to the solution and demonstrate professional presentation skills. Sixty teams of students competed on Saturday, April 2 at The University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz. The competitors represented 12 Arizona community colleges and universities: Arizona State University, Chandler/Gilbert Community College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Estrella Mountain Community College, Glendale Community College, Grand Canyon University, ITT Technical Institute, Mesa Community College, Northern Arizona University, Scottsdale Community College, South Mountain Community College and The University of Advancing Technology.

“Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s Avnet Tech Games, especially our winners,” added Phillips. “On behalf of Avnet, thank you to all of our sponsors, business partners and volunteers for helping make this year’s event a success.”

The winners of the 2016 Avnet Tech Games are:

Cisco Network Expert Security Battle
School: Mesa Community College
Students: Taras Mishenko, Derald Mullenaux, Jeremiah Summers, Katherine Vervilos
Faculty Coach: Bob Samson

Des?ktop Domination
School: The University of Advancing Technology
Students: Jason Thorn, Jason Olivas, David Savlowitz
Faculty Coach: Al Kelley

HP Fastest IoT Computer Build
Schools: The University of Advancing Technology
Students: Christopher Hill, Nathaniel Stringer, Andrew Danis
Faculty Coach: Al Kelley

IoT Sensor Fusion Challenge
School: The University of Advancing Technology
Students: Daniel Carpenter, Ian Guile
Faculty Coach: Steven Osburn

Java Blitz
School: Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Students: Alec Iverson, Lining Lin
Faculty Coach: Rameen Khaliqi

Robot Race Obstacle Course
School: Scottsdale Community College
Students: Doran Cole, Timothy Raymer, Renee Sailus
Faculty Coach: Bill Johnson

Social Media Mania
School: The University of Advancing Technology
Students: Andre Wiggins, Christina Bilbo, Garrett Reuscher, Angela Bennett
Faculty Coach: James Gordon

Solar Scrimmage
Schools: Glendale Community College and South Mountain Community College
Students: Tan Duong, James Cook, Jeremy Landers, Antonio Garcia
Faculty Coach: Tim Frank

WWT/Palo Alto Server Search
School: The University of Advancing Technology
Students: Eddie Sanchez, Roger Brambila
Faculty Coach: Al Kelly

Cisco Network Expert Security Battle
Desktop Domination
HP Fastest IoT Computer Build
IoT Sensor Fusion Challenge
Java Blitz
Robot Race Obstacle Course
Social Media Mania
Solar Scrimmage
WWT/Palo Alto Server Search

Since its inception in 2006, more than \\$360,000 in scholarship money and honorariums have been awarded to hundreds of the more than 3,000 students and 250 faculty members who have participated in the competition.

Avnet Tech Games 2016 sponsors included Amazon Web Services, CDW, Cisco, DP Air, HP Enterprise, Logicalis, Microchip, Molex, NetApp, NXP, ON Semiconductor, Palo Alto Networks, NALSalt River Project, TDK-Lamda, The University of Advancing Technology and World Wide Technology.