Dec. 2, 2024–Dala Alphonso, a technologist and executive with over 25 years of experience, has been named President and CEO of AIM Institute.

Alphonso has served as the Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President, Energy Integration at Greysoft Technologies for the past two years. Alphonso developed technology roadmaps, governance, and policies to transform energy, finance, and intergovernmental agencies. He led strategy, consultation, and IT services to optimize digital and human capital investments in the organization’s ongoing projects.

“We welcome Dala Alphonso to the AIM Institute. Dala’s extensive background in technology and leadership roles in IT services positions him well to take AIM to the next level in building the tech talent pipeline in our region. He has creative ideas to continue to help deliver the array of AIM programs and services that help individuals from all walks of life connect with tech or improve their technological expertise,” said AIM Institute of Board of Directors Chair Ashok Fichadia.

“I am excited to be part of the AIM Institute and contribute to expanding the tech talent pipeline in our region. I wholeheartedly support AIM’s mission to cultivate a robust and diverse tech community, as I am dedicated to fostering the development of the people in my network and beyond,” Alphonso stated. “I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the AIM team and stakeholders to promote AIM’s objectives, which focus on effectively linking individuals with technology to enhance their personal and professional growth while bolstering our tech resources in the region.”

Prior to Greysoft Technologies, Alphonso served as Vice President of Information Technology and Interim Chief Technology Officer for Prodigy in Salt Lake City, Utah; Director of IT, Application Delivery at Omaha Public Power District; and Director of IT and Human Resources Information Systems with Datraserve.

In his recent positions, Alphonso has spearheaded impactful initiatives and achieved notable results in cybersecurity excellence, enhancements to IT infrastructure, leadership in digital transformation, cost optimization, vendor management, and global collaboration.

Alphonso holds a Master of Science in Management from Bellevue University and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University.

Join us today on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3! Consider investing in our efforts at the AIM
Institute to grow a strong and diverse tech community through education, career
development and outreach. Join in through our page on Share Omaha and Share Iowa.

Donations will go toward supporting individuals interested in tech, including under-
resourced youth and adults. Through an array of programs, AIM provides tech
education, community connections, and personal development. There are so many
different types of tech careers, and they are needed by organizations in our region. Help
provide people with the tools to enjoy a rewarding career in technology.
Visit our ShareOmaha and ShareIowa profile or our GiveButter profile.

Through AIM’s partnerships with Cornerstone Staffing and the Omaha chapter of the
Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), several deserving students
have earned scholarships to pursue tech careers, thanks to financial support from
Cornerstone Staffing and AITP. The following students are either planning on attending
or continuing to attend a college, university, community college, or technical school in
Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, North Dakota, or South Dakota, with the goal of
achieving an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Information
Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.

*Austin Allen – Computer Science, Mineral Area College
*Connor Beachler – Computer Science Comprehensive, University of Nebraska at
*Kearney
*Michael Bourne – Computer Information Systems, Dakota State University
*Pawan Chaudhary – Cybersecurity, Dakota State University
*Keenan Flannery – Computer Science, University of Nebraska Lincoln
*Michael George – System and Network Security, Southeast Technical College
*Micah Harper – Computer Information Science, College of the Ozarks
*Regina Hua – Computer Science, University of Missouri – Columbia
*Linh Le – Data Analytics, Nebraska Wesleyan University
*Abe Schieuer – System and Network Security, Southeast Technical College
A big congratulations to these deserving students, and we sincerely thank Cornerstone
Staffing and AITP.

We are excited to announce that AIM Institute received a $25,000 Impact Grant from
FNBO to support our Advanced Technical Training program in Douglas and
Pottawattamie counties.
Thank you to FNBO for this funding that will help us provide individuals with the
opportunity to complete courses in our Advanced Technical Training offerings. Our
Advanced Technical Training includes AIM’s Tech Navigator services, accredited AIM Code
School and Demystifying Tech Workshops. The support allows AIM Institute to
provide course participants with laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots and transportation passes.

OMAHA, Neb. (Nov. 19, 2024) — Innovative organizations, educators and local students were honored recently at AIM Institute’s annual AIM Tech Awards, presented by Cox Business, Nov. 14, at Certified Transmission owner Peter Fink’s Private Muscle Car Museum in Omaha.

The AIM Tech Awards celebrates the achievements of industry and education visionaries. The event strengthens the region’s tech sector by showcasing the impact and result of the community’s dedicated efforts to build a strong and diverse tech ecosystem.

Children’s Nebraska was named the Technology Company of the Year. Nebraska Innovation Labs earned the Tech Start-up of the Year award.

Jeff Brady, teacher and robotics team coach with Millard North High School, was named K-12 Educator of the Year. Mike Smith, founder of The Bay, was selected as the Technology Leader of the Year. Clarkson College earned Technology Innovator of the Year. Dr. Deepak Khazanchi, the Mutual of Omaha Distinguished Chair of Information Science and Technology and Professor of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis with the University of Nebraska Omaha, was named the Higher Ed Tech Leader of the Year. Tech Champion of the Year was Women in Technology of the Heartland (WiTH).

Patrick Stolinski (Tech Student of the Year), Christian Essien (AIM After School Program Student of the Year), Diana Grimaldo (AIM Code School Student of the Year) and Alexis Franks (AIM Youth Academy Student of the Year) were the students honored.

This year’s AIM Tech Awards Honorary Chair was Al Lopez, CEO & Managing Partner of Let It Fly sports bars/restaurants in Omaha, Tennessee and South Dakota. Event emcee was Rick Allen, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln alum and lead race announcer for NBC Sports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series race coverage. AIM’s annual Tech Awards event supports the organization’s mission, which is to grow a strong and diverse tech community through education, career development and outreach.

2024 AIM Tech Awards Winners 

Technology Company of the Year: Children’s Nebraska
Jerry Vuchak, EVP,CIO, accepts on behalf of Children’s Nebraska

 

Technology Leader of the Year:  Mike Smith, The Bay

Technology Innovator of the Year: Clarkson College

 

Tech Start-up of the Year: Nebraska Innovation Labs
Dillon De Rozairo, COO, accepts on behalf of Nebraska Innovation Labs

 

Higher Ed Tech Leader of the Year: Dr. Deepak Khazanchi, Mutual of Omaha Distinguished Chair of Information Science and Technology and Professor of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis in the College of Information Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska Omaha 

K-12 Educator of the Year: Jeff Brady, Millard North High School

 

Tech Student of the Year: Patrick Stolinski, University of Nebraska Lincoln

 

AIM After School Program Student of the Year: Christian Essien, King Science and Technology Middle School

 

AIM Code School Student of the Year: Diana Grimaldo

 

AIM Youth Academy Student of the Year: Alexis Franks, Thomas Jefferson High 

Tech Champion of the Year: Women in Technology of the Heartland (WiTH) 

ABOUT AIM INSTITUTE 

AIM Institute’s mission is to grow a strong and diverse tech community through education, career development and outreach. As a nonprofit, AIM Institute has fostered the growth of Omaha’s tech sector for more than 30 years. AIM is an essential contributor to economic development in the Omaha area and beyond, developing, growing, and retaining local tech talent that is critical to the success of area organizations and the community at large. 

Today, AIM promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in the tech sector by making outstanding educational opportunities and career training accessible to all, from elementary school through adulthood. AIM’s team of experts provides code school classes, leadership academies, one-on-one coaching, technical training and networking tools to ensure anyone can pursue a rewarding tech career. AIM’s engagement efforts strengthen the region’s talent pool for its members and help address the increased demand for high-skill tech jobs in the Midwest, also known as the Silicon Prairie. 

More information about AIM is available at aiminstitute.org and through social media on Facebook, Instagram – @aiminstituteomaha and X (Formerly Twitter) – @aiminstituteoma. #AIMEmpowers