While we’ll all enjoy the “Chamber of Commerce Weather” during Spring Training this month, we can’t take any credit for it. What we will take some credit for is having a community that people want to visit, a welcoming place for living and working, and a healthy economic climate for starting and growing a business. For more than a century, the Tempe Chamber has worked to … [More]
Kickstarting Your Business
The Tempe Chamber has implemented a program for new members known as the Chamber Kickstart. Understanding why a member joined the Chamber and what their expectations are is key to helping them utilize all the benefits the Chamber has to offer. Sitting down with new members and fully understanding their business model and their vision helps our team steer them in the right … [More]
Government Relations
The mission of the Government Relations and Transportation Committee is to make a bottom-line impact for members by advocating for a favorable business climate through interactive public policy engagement, and providing ongoing representation at, and information about, government at the city, county, state and federal levels. The greatest value that the Government Relations … [More]
March 2015 President’s Message
As president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, I often am asked to help shape public policy affecting the state’s tech industry. (If you want to know more about two measures that are part of our focus in this legislative session, see Page 3 in this section.) But it’s my work as chairman of Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) that takes me to Capitol Hill to … [More]
Common Ground
Arizona universities have experienced an increase in the number of degrees granted in high-demand fields, including those requiring emphases in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). According to the Arizona Board of Regents, credentials in the fields grew from 4 percent in the 2009-2010 academic year to 47 percent in 2013-2014 school year. An interest in STEM … [More]
ROI Worth Raves
As the Arizona Technology Council tries to get the Arizona Legislature in the 2015 session to recapitalize one tax credit program and expand another, two reports authored by the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) show substantial return on both so far that make proposed changes worth pursuing. Included in the Council’s legislative priorities are recapitalization of the Angel … [More]
Business Essentials
Finding cost-effective ways to get the products and services needed to keep a business operating is a challenge for any company. When they also are essential to help retain quality employees, they can become mission critical. But when the competition is made up of goliaths with deep pockets, the challenge can seem even larger to small businesses, especially tech firms trying to … [More]
At the Top
Ron Thompson Jr. has been named the new chair of the Arizona Technology Council’s Phoenix CEO Network. In his regular career, Thompson is Senior Vice President – Western US at DataBank IMX, one of the largest enterprise document management solution companies in North America. “Ron is a genuine, down-to-earth business leader with a passion for helping organizations, employees … [More]
Welcome Aboard
Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy is senior vice president for research at The University of Arizona. As the university’s chief research officer and a member of the president’s senior executive team, Espy is charged with advancing transformative excellence in research across the campus toward achievement of the goals articulated in Never Settle, the … [More]
Giving Back
STEM Drive In partnership with the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Arizona Technology Council’s Phoenix Ambassador Committee launched and promoted a STEM Drive leading up to the Jobing.com-presented After5 Networking Event/Tech the Hall Holiday Party. Council member companies were encouraged to donate STEM-related items for use in 1 Darn Cool School, the school … [More]
Quarles & Brady’s Jeff Wolf Receives 2015 International Client Choice Award
Jeffrey Wolf, a partner at Quarles & Brady LLP, has received the 2015 Client Choice Award from Lexology and the International Law Office (ILO). Established in 2005, the Client Choice awards recognize partners around the world that stand apart for their excellent client service. Uniquely, these awards survey in-house senior corporate counsel only, inquiring about quality of … [More]
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation Announce $16 Million in Grants to Seven Nonprofits to Provide Training, Education and Career Pathways for U.S. Retail Workers
At the National Opportunity Summit in Washington, D.C., this week, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced an initial investment of $16 million to seven national nonprofit organizations as part of a new Opportunity initiative, a $100-million commitment to help increase the economic mobility of entry-level workers in retail and adjacent sectors. This significant investment … [More]
Noted White Collar Litigator Booker T. Evans Jr. Joins Ballard Spahr
Booker T. Evans Jr., a prominent white collar criminal defense attorney and commercial litigator with more than 25 years of experience defending multimillion-dollar cases for businesses and individuals, has joined Ballard Spahr as a partner in Phoenix, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today. Evans was Chief Deputy District Attorney in Las Vegas and an Assistant U.S. Attorney … [More]
Mark Zukowski Selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates
Mark Zukowski is the ninth lawyer at Jones, Skelton & Hochuli to receive the distinction of being invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates. The purpose of ABOTA is to elevate the standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession. In addition, they seek to aid in the further education and training of trial lawyers, improve methods of procedure, … [More]
Jack Robbins Joins FirstService Residential as Director of Human Resources
FirstService Residential, the leading community management company in Arizona, has named Jack Robbins as its new director of Human Resources. Robbins brings more than 17 years in human resources experience supporting many industries. He has a diverse background in his field helping companies build and strengthen effective service-focused teams. “We at FirstService … [More]
Red Sky Solutions Opens New Arizona Office
Red Sky Solutions, a leader in customized IT solutions, announced that it has opened a new office in Arizona and has appointed industry veteran Don Shilliday as director of Sales and Operations for Arizona and the Southwest region. Shilliday has more than 20 years’ sales and customer service experience in the IT field. In his role with Red Sky Solutions, he’ll be responsible … [More]
Avnet Promotes Nicole Enright to Vice President of Corporate Human Resources
Avnet, Inc., a leading global technology distributor, has announced that it named Nicole Enright as its vice president of corporate human resources. Enright will be responsible for helping Avnet attract, engage, develop and reward the diverse workforce of Avnet’s information technology (IT), finance and legal teams. Additionally, Enright will manage Avnet’s human resources … [More]
‘Moving’ Gesture by Two Men and a Truck in the West Valley Helps Sun Cities 4 Paws Animal Rescue
Every month for nearly two years, movers from the Northwest Valley franchise of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® picks up large, donated items such as tables, desks and couches and delivers them to a Sun City thrift store located at 11129 W. Michigan Ave. in Youngtown that benefits Sun Cities 4 Paws Animal Rescue (4 Paws), a no-kill shelter that provides sanctuary and lifetime care to … [More]
