Home Sweet Headquarters
A company’s headquarters is a major facet of its brand identity. So, what does it say about the identity of Greater Phoenix when major international and national corporations choose our market as their headquarters? Companies share the reasons behind their choice in this month’s cover story.
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council has helped lead growth in this sector since 1989. Over these past 35 years, Greater Phoenix has gained global recognition as a business-friendly, accessible market for companies to launch headquarters and scale operations. This has helped attract prolific headquarters like Kudelski Group and Carlisle Companies, and secured recent re-commitments of Sprouts, Republic Services and Axon. The growth of the region and increase in headquarters go hand-in-hand: More than 100,000 Greater Phoenix residents today work for a headquarters operation, as the region remains one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States even with 5 million people already living here.
There are numerous reasons for this growth, many of which align with an operating environment that encourages innovation and investment, and leadership that prioritizes smart growth and regionalism. The talent pipeline, driven by education systems like Arizona State University and the Maricopa County Community College District, allows businesses to access a local workforce that’s constantly evolving to meet industry needs. On the infrastructure front, SRP and APS are continually evaluating best methods to maintain reliability for homes and businesses alike, and part of this will be driven by their efforts to expand clean energy like solar and wind.
Leadership is also proactive in addressing the needs of communities. Two propositions in November — one of which will expand our public transportation and roadways, the other of which supports education access and workforce development through MCCCD — situate the region for long-term success. And we’re building the future with SB1307, passed in February, an example of legislation allowing for next-generation innovation — in this case, activating air mobility infrastructure and vertiports to invigorate the development of evTOL and other aircraft technologies.
The evolution of Greater Phoenix is rooted in a business-friendly ecosystem that drives innovation, bolsters a resilient market, and intelligently seeks market growth that will create prosperity for businesses and residents alike. While the region tells a story about the brands who are here, the brands in turn tell a story about Greater Phoenix.
For this month’s cover story, In Business Magazine reached out to a diverse representation of companies headquartered in Greater Phoenix: U.S. companies that relocated here, international companies that established their U.S. headquarters here, and companies that grew their national presence from our local community. Some were chosen for this story because they have been here a long time; others were chosen to share the perspective of relative newcomers.
Another topic getting a close look this month is operational agility, as Justin Vogel explores “The Real MVP of Enterprise Success” — which, he explains, allows organizations to go beyond the limitations of efficiency.
Other feature articles include the Roundtable “How Employers Are Shaping Sustainable Compensation Strategies in 2025,” in which Julie Bingham discusses the shifting focus to long-term workforce development, and Economy “Treasury Management Solutions,” in which Phil Neidhart discusses payables strategies for businesses.
Along with regular departments that cover topics in healthcare, technology, the semiconductor industry and more, this edition also includes the “50 Top Small Business Advocates & Leaders Guide,” In Business Magazine’s annual resource guide for top small business services, with an insightful introduction by Debbie Hann, interim CEO of Arizona Small Business Association.
I’m pleased to help bring you this July edition of In Business Magazine. I hope you’ll find it an informative and enjoyable read.
Sincerely,
Chris Camacho
President & CEO
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Chris Camacho serves as president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, one of the longest-standing public-private partnerships for economic development across the country. As chief executive, Camacho leads the development and execution of the region’s strategic economic strategy; oversees domestic and international business development; and ensures the market position remains competitive through coordination with partner organizations, private-sector leaders, and municipal and state leadership.
He has led the attraction of more than 460 companies during his tenure, creating nearly 85,000 jobs and $24 billion in capital investment. Some notable projects include TSMC, Apple, Silicon Valley Bank, Microsoft, GoDaddy, Yelp, Amazon, Garmin, General Motors, ElectraMeccanica, Zoom and HelloFresh, and headquarters that include Benchmark Electronics, Carlisle Companies and Rogers Corporation.
