TIA Industry Innovator of the Year Award

Texas Innovation Alliance

Nominations are open!

Recognize a transportation innovator for their impact and originality.

The Industry Innovator of the Year Award is an annual competition that recognizes outstanding achievement in transportation-related project delivery and rewards third parties working in transportation who have used creativity and innovation to stand out in their ability to positively impact local and state governments. The Industry Innovator of the Year Award is given by the Texas Innovation Alliance.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 award, which will be announced during the Texas Innovation Invitational in Allen, Texas, on June 15 – 17, 2026.

How to nominate

Nominations are due by 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 2026.

Download and complete the nomination form and email it to TxDOT Innovative Transportation by the deadline.

Eligibility

All non-TxDOT personnel working in the transportation industry, including consultants and contractors, are eligible for nomination. Projects, ideas, or programs described in the nomination should have occurred between January 1 – December 31 of the previous year.

Evaluation criteria

The purpose of the Industry Innovator of the Year Award is to recognize an individual who has performed outstanding transportation-related work alongside a state agency or local government to deploy or implement an innovative initiative.

All nominations will be judged on the four Innovator of the Year Award criteria: Impact, Innovation, Performance Measures, and Originality.

Describe the individual's initiative in developing or advancing an innovation project or initiative.

Describe the individual's creativity and “outside of the box” thinking and methodology used to move the innovation project or initiative forward.

Explain how this innovation helps the partnering state agency or local government achieve its goals and/or enhance employee engagement.

Describe the originality associated with the project or initiative and how it differs from other processes, programs, technologies, or assets used within the partnering state agency or local government.

TIA Industry Innovator of the Year - past winners

2025 - Shawn Taikratoke

Shawn Taikratoke, CEO of Mozee, won the 2025 award for advancing autonomous, electric mobility through a fully in-house platform that expands equitable last-mile transportation. TxDOT's Erika Kemp presented the award to Nick Herbach, who accepted on behalf of Mr. Taikratoke.

Frequently asked questions

Any member of the transportation community (e.g., TxDOT, state agencies, local governments) can nominate third-party organizations they’ve worked with in the transportation industry.

All 2026 nominations should be submitted by emailing a completed nomination form to Innovative Transportation in Texas by May 1, 2026.

If you have any issues with the nomination form, please email Innovative Transportation in Texas.

No, there is no nomination fee.

The judging panel typically consists of five members including representatives from TxDOT, a selected Texas state agency, and a selected local government.

The winner of the 2026 award will be announced during the Texas Innovation Invitational event in Allen, Texas, on June 15-17, 2026.