[6] Planet Forward, CNBC and the World Economic Forum have recognized Surace as an innovator and a technology pioneer.

[2][3][5] He serves on the RIT Board of Trustees, was alumni of the year in 2011, outstanding alumnus in 2019[13] and was inducted into the school’s Innovation Hall of Fame.

[15] Surace was the executive vice president of products and network services at General Magic, leading the development of the first large scale artificially intelligent voice user interface, and the team that developed the OnStar Virtual Advisor for General Motors.

[17] He became the CEO then CTO of Appvance, the developer of an AI native quality platform for automated software testing and Chairman of cybersecurity company Token.

[3][5][19] Surace launched the cloud-based procurement platform Perfect Commerce and serviced as its chairman, CEO, and president.

[3][21] In 2009, he delivered a TED talk on his patented eco-friendly drywall and the need to rethink basic materials in a sustainable light.

"[22][23] He delivered an earlier TED talk on Worst Case Climate Change [24] In 2009, Surace was Inc. Magazine entrepreneur of the Year.