Leaders whose headquarters may be on the other side of the country or the planet sometimes have no choice but to rely on seat-of-the-pants reactions when called upon to make the hard local decisions that, in turn, may impact the entire organization. Help is here, thanks to the Arizona Technology Council. Formerly known as the Phoenix CEO Network, the Phoenix – Executive … [More]
New Products and Services With Bonuses Offered to Council Members
A new year brings new additions to the list of companies and organizations that provide products and services with discounts to Arizona Technology Council member companies and their employees. Oracle – NetSuite’s powerful cloud business software is offered through the NetSuite Associations and Buying Groups Program, with members receiving 40% off new subscriptions. NetSuite is … [More]
President and CEO Joins Binational Science and Innovation Organization’s Board
Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council and SciTech Institute, has been appointed to United States-Mexico Foundation for Science’s board of governors. The Foundation is more commonly known as FUMEC (Fundación México-Estados Unidos para la Ciencia), a binational, non-governmental organization created to promote cross-border collaboration in … [More]
3 Named to AZTC Board
Directors bring backgrounds in academia and law
Paul Lambertson, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at Grand Canyon University; Charles B. Chadwell, dean of the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering at Northern Arizona University; and Heather Buchta, partner and chair of the IT and Tech Transactions Team at Quarles & Brady, were elected unanimously recently to serve three-year terms on the Arizona Technology … [More]
STEM for All
Kits Expand Access to Hands-On Learning across State
Access to hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) has been uneven for many students across Arizona, particularly in rural and historically underserved communities. But a solution is now available through a program launched by SciTech Institute, a collaborative initiative of the Arizona Technology Council and Arizona Commerce Authority. STEM for … [More]
A Place to Call Home
Explosive growth of data triggers need for more Arizona-based centers
Arizona is playing a growing role in a global challenge: managing the enormous amount of data created every day. From smart devices to virtual meetings to online shopping, data is now at the heart of how businesses operate, as well as how people live and work. Behind all of it are data centers that store, process and move digital information around the clock. Several powerful … [More]
Powering Innovation
Council makes case for solar and battery systems to meet energy needs
It’s a straightforward equation: more businesses + more people = higher energy demand. This is what Arizona faces in communities both large and small across the state. And about the only thing to change in the calculation will be a multiplier that increases as the years pass and the commercial and resident populations grow. The Arizona Technology Council has embraced the … [More]
President’s Message
Call it taking the quantum lead. I’m referring to Arizona’s advancements in quantum computing. What’s that? To help, here’s a short course: Pretend your computer is a light switch. It’s either on or off. In computer speak, it uses bits that are either 0 or 1 to process information. By comparison, quantum computers are like switches featuring both dimmers for lights and … [More]
August 2025 President’s Message
Call it The 21st Century Renaissance. And Arizona is a key player in this phenomenon. Yes, we have an arts and culture scene that is growing beyond what many of us would have imagined not that long ago. But I’m also referring to the wave of innovation found in our technology and science sectors. Not a day goes by when there isn’t news involving fields such as … [More]
Taking an Early Lead
Chief Science Officers guide others even before careers begin
Facilitator Alexis Kelley leads an exercise that includes Anaíz Daniels (foreground). For many young people, considering whether to attend college is as big as the decision-making usually gets. And they often do it alone. But for a group of youths no older than 18, they upped the ante by leading discussions that ultimately could impact the entire state. More … [More]
A Living Document
Blog offers glimpse of Arizona tech ecosystem’s constant evolution
Few would dispute that technology is constantly evolving. Capturing the changes would be a daunting task for any historian trying to keep track of developments in order to relay the highlights to others. But people interested in the progress of Arizona’s tech scene have it a little easier. They have been keeping tabs on what’s new since spring 2018 by clicking on the blog … [More]
Government Relations Is Specialty of Latest Addition to Staff
Cepand Alizadeh has joined the staff of the Arizona Technology Council as its first government relations specialist to help ensure the state’s energy ecosystem remains innovative, sustainable and responsive to the increasing demands of residents and businesses. Alizadeh is responsible for connecting with policymakers, community leaders and industry stakeholders to advance … [More]
New Council Board Members Add to Mix of Expertise
The two newest members of the Arizona Technology Council’s board of directors bring expertise in global payment networks and technology, as well as information technology talent development. Cheryl Eckardt, vice president of Global Network Service Technology at American Express, and Craig Jackman, founder and president of Paragon IT Professionals, were unanimously elected to … [More]
A Multipronged Approach
Council works year-round when it comes to winning public policy efforts
When it comes to public policy, efforts by the Arizona Technology Council are continuous as the responsibility of promoting and protecting the state’s technology community never stops. The efforts are especially worth it when the successes can be tallied at the end of the legislative session of the Arizona Capitol. Case in point are noteworthy actions from the recently … [More]
Governor Names CEO to AI Steering Committee
Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Council and SciTech Institute, has been appointed by Gov. Katie Hobbs to serve on the state’s inaugural Artificial Intelligence Steering Committee. The committee brings together leaders and experts from across sectors to develop a statewide policy framework and governance strategy for the use of AI. The committee will guide the … [More]
February 2025 President’s Message
I’m fortunate to be in the position of seeing and supporting Arizona’s quest for greatness every day. Specifically, I’m referring to the activities surrounding the building of a technology ecosystem that impacts not just our state but the world. It’s not surprising that many members of that global community want to be part of the action, too. But to reach for the stars, we … [More]
Say Hello to Ada
Chatbot created to answer Council questions 24/7
In this 24/7 world, it’s hard to imagine anyone not getting what they need when they need it. Arizona Technology Council members are no different, especially when many work at businesses where customers expect to be served around the clock. But what happens when a member traveling on the other side of the world needs to know details about an upcoming Council event when it’s … [More]
What’s in a Name?
SciTech Institute initiative identifies cross-over workforce skills
When it comes to preparing the future workforce for careers, one size definitely doesn’t fit all. This is a key discovery arising from discussions led by SciTech Institute with stakeholders in Arizona’s science, technology, engineering and math ecosystem to determine what skills are really necessary. “When we have these conversations, we ask employers what they need and … [More]
