The NC Tech Association has announced the winners of the 2026 NEXT TECH Awards, which recognize exceptional performers and rising tech leaders across North Carolina. Among the winners are NCDIT’s Dimple Katira, director of the Project Management Office, and Albert Moore, manager of the Security Operations Center.
Dimple is being celebrated in the Tech Professional Services category for her leadership, technical expertise and lasting contributions to strengthening state services and digital capabilities.
In the Tech + Innovation category, Albert earned recognition for his dedication to cybersecurity across the state and equal commitment to people and operational excellence.
They will be recognized during NC TECH’s TechFest in Durham on May 13.
Dimple Katira
Since joining NCDIT’s predecessor agency in 2008 and becoming director of the Project Management Office in 2022, Dimple has become a leader who colleagues call when timelines are tight and the stakes are high.
“Dimple is a leader we rely on for our most complex and high-visibility projects because she brings unmatched discipline, collaboration and integrity to every effort,” wrote Chastan Swain, director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs, in her nomination.
She has led some of the most significant initiatives at NCDIT – statewide digital transformation efforts, the NCDIT Project Portfolio Management Framework, and the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles’ Identity Proofing Project, which expands secure online services and reduces fraud.
Colleagues consistently describe Dimple as as someone who “works harder than anyone in the room yet never misses an opportunity to mentor, encourage or create space for others to grow.”
Outside of NCDIT, she speaks with high school classes about technology and public service, volunteers with community organizations and has been a dojo leader at Triangle’s Best Karate for 10 years, supporting youth development.
Albert Moore
Albert has been an integral part of North Carolina’s cybersecurity defenses since joining NCDIT’s predecessor agency in 2003. He became an incident responder with the Enterprise Security and Risk Management Office in 2013 and was named Security Operations Center manager in April 2025.
“His leadership fosters a department defined by trust, collaboration and shared purpose,” Jennifer Fix, deputy state chief information security officer, wrote in his nomination. He engages and supports cyber partners across the state 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Albert displays a frontline leadership style, “consistently stepping into the trenches alongside his team, covering shifts, sharing the workload and creating opportunities for others to learn and grow.”
One team member wrote, “Albert invests in his people, personally and professionally. It is my absolute honor to work with him.” He fosters an environment of support through a people-first approach where colleagues “feel valued, empowered and motivated.”
When not in the office, Albert gives to community initiatives, particularly 4-H and local cybersecurity education, volunteering his time and expertise to mentor the next generation.
Learn more about the awards and view all the winners on the NC TECH Awards site.