San Diego Technology Leaders Celebrated at 18th Annual Top Tech Awards

Fourteen of San Diego County’s technology innovators were recognized during the 18th annual Top Tech Awards held at Snapdragon stadium on Thursday, September 18, 2025. The awards celebration honored the region’s information technology (IT) leaders, people who inspire and effect change in the areas of business, education, government, and nonprofit organizations. More than 500 people were in attendance. Cox Business has been the event’s presenting sponsor for the last 17 years.

Cox Business California Vice President Jodi Duva delivered opening remarks for the event. She was joined by Stephanie Casperson, executive director of Technology at San Marcos Unified School District, and Ray Chan, vice president of information technology for the San Diego Padres, both judging chairs of Top Tech Awards 2025.

Honorees for the Top Tech Awards were nominated by their peers and customers and selected by an impartial panel of judges that consist of local tech leaders and past winners of the award.

Asokan Ashok, founder and CEO at Unfold Labs, Inc., received the Top Tech of the Year Award, John Merritt, senior vice president and CIO for YMCA of San Diego County was presented the Community Exemplary Award and Abhijeet Gulati, senior director of engineering and AI of Mitchell International was presented with the Cox Innovation Award.

The 14 category honorees, selected from more than 275 nominations, include:

The Top Tech Awards 2025 featured innovative networking, a photo booth presented by Ring Central, a digital caricature artist sponsored by Citrin Cooperman, a golf simulator experience brought in by Savya Solutions, craft beverages, mocktails, and local San Diego tacos and fare. Over 500 tech leaders were in attendance.

“We were thrilled once again to celebrate the giant talent driving San Diego’s technology sector,” said Jodi Duva, California vice president of Cox Business.  “The 2025 recipients exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and creative problem-solving that make our region a true hub for technological advancement. We’re proud to shine a light on the many achievements and positive impact they’re making throughout our city and beyond.”

Presenting sponsor Cox Business is joined by sponsors CBS News 8 San Diego, RapidScale, Citrin Cooperman, Flok, Savya Solutions, Ring Central, Rivian and supporting sponsors; Athena San Diego, San Diego Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), Athena, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Start Up San Diego, and Fresh Brewed Tech.

About the Top Tech Awards
Since 2008, Cox Business has lauded the incredible information technology innovators in San Diego. The Top Tech Awards pays homage to the wealth of talent in our community, people who have vision, take risks, and implement new cutting-edge technologies, all in the name of making their organizations more connected, more productive, and more successful. Since its inception, the Top Tech Awards has grown expansively and stands today as the premier information technology event in San Diego. For more information, visit www.toptechawards.com.