In the business world, we often talk about the "self-made" success story. We celebrate the entrepreneur who started in a garage and built an empire. But if you look closer at any thriving local business, you will find a web of support behind them. No one succeeds in a vacuum. Partnerships and community are not only helpful; they are the reason local businesses survive during … [More]
The Venmo Donor and Check Writer: Generational Giving
If you walk into a nonprofit office during a fundraising drive, you might see two very different scenes. On one desk, there is a stack of paper envelopes, each containing a carefully written check and a stamped return card. On the other desk, a staff member is watching a digital screen as small notifications pop up every few minutes, five dollars here, twenty dollars there; all … [More]
Trust Me, That’s Why You Chose Us: Trust-Based Philanthropy
If you run a business, you know that success relies on the talent of your team. You hire experts because they have the skills to meet your goals. You provide the tools they need, offer guidance and then let them do what they do best. In the world of philanthropy, our grantmakers and philanthropists are looking for that same level of success. They want to know their gifts are … [More]
New Group to Help Shape Skills of Corporate Leaders
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]
The Strategic Wardrobe: Why High-Performing Women Are Outsourcing Their Closet to Elevate Their Influence
You’ve built the business. You’ve secured the board seat. You’ve navigated mergers, signed the seven-figure contracts, and taken the mic on stages around the world. When you enter a room, the energy shifts — people pay attention not just because of your title but because you consistently deliver. And yet, there’s a moment of friction that happens long before you ever greet … [More]
The Leadership Gap No One Talks About — And Why It’s Costing Founders Their Freedom
Most founders don’t struggle because they’re unclear. They struggle because they’re carrying more than any one leader was ever meant to hold. Ask any seasoned entrepreneur how they built their company and you’ll rarely hear a clean, linear story. You’ll hear about grit, ingenuity, instinct and the pressure of building something bigger than yourself. You’ll hear about doing … [More]
What 50 Years of Closings Tells Us about Today’s Commercial Real Estate Market
As Arizona Escrow & Financial approaches our 50th anniversary in 2026, I find myself in a unique position. From the closing table, we see commercial real estate transactions in their most granular detail — not just the headlines, but how deals actually get done. And right now, how deals get done is changing significantly. Since founding AEF in 1976, we've facilitated … [More]
Putting Your Oxygen Mask on First: Why Working Professionals Need Respite Care for Aging Parents before Burnout
Most of us have that one moment we never forget. For me, it was sitting in my car with my laptop open, juggling calls from my kids, my parents and my team while trying to advocate for an aging family member who lived across the ocean from me and had just fallen home. I remember thinking, “This is not sustainable. For anyone.” If you are a working professional caring for an … [More]
Should You Do It Yourself or Hire an Accountant?
Editor’s note: The following is a verbatim excerpt from ASBA’s “Forge Ahead: Building an Accounting System for Your Business.” Hiring Help Versus Doing It Yourself: The Small Business Dilemma When it comes to your small business, it’s personal—and for good reason. You brought your small business to where it is today, from concept to execution. So, when it comes to things … [More]
Tax Impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law, marking one of the most comprehensive tax reforms in recent history. While the legislation encompasses a broad array of fiscal policies, its implications for small and mid-sized businesses are particularly significant. For entrepreneurs and business owners navigating today’s economic landscape, the … [More]
