Whether they are called myths or urban legends, I’ve heard a variety of them when it comes to data centers. In this section earlier this year, one of our stories addressed a few, such as claims they are overloading the electric grid and claiming endless amounts of drinking water. (Negative on both counts.) But with so many of the myths still making the rounds, allow me to put … [More]
Sky’s the Limit
Arizona Aerospace Summit to focus on making state a global aerospace hub
Separate roads, same destination. That was the challenge when the Arizona Technology Council was looking for a way to help accelerate collaboration and innovation throughout Arizona’s growing aerospace economy while highlighting the state’s expanding leadership in aerospace, aviation, space and defense. The solution debuts July 15 at the 2026 Arizona Aerospace Summit … [More]
Wow!
Worlds of Work creates pathways for high school students to find career fit
Dream or nightmare. Either can come true when it comes to finding a career that fits. And if it’s the less desirable outcome, “If only I knew” often is the resulting response. A surprise is the last thing anyone needs while career planning, especially when the journey begins at a young age. That’s where Worlds of Work comes in. Worlds of Work — WOW for short — is a program in … [More]
Reaching Out
Specialist makes Council’s case for projects throughout Arizona
For those who have attended meetings where decisions were made about a proposed data center, energy project or the like in Arizona, odds are one of the speakers addressing decision makers was Cepand Alizadeh, the Arizona Technology Council’s government relations specialist. In fact, odds are very good since he logged more than 6,500 miles in his car over the past year to get to … [More]
New Program Offers Coaching to Prepare for Next Roles as Leaders
It’s hard to prepare for a company’s future without the topic shifting to leadership by the “next generation.” Instead of adding one more item to the in-house to-do list, help is available through a new offering from the Arizona Technology Council. The development program Emerging Leaders Council is underway with a cohort that includes a chief operating officer; a director of … [More]
Welcome Aboard
New directors offer variety of experiences to benefit Council
Neil Calfee, executive director, Economic Development + Innovation Zones, Arizona State University Knowledge Enterprise; David Felix, senior manager of Regulatory Affairs, SRP; Bipin Jayaraj, chief digital and information officer, Benchmark; Bob Krakauer, chief financial officer, Verrus; and Tom Sullivan, chief operating officer, Air2O, are the newest members of the Arizona … [More]
Inaugural Arizona Manufacturing Showcase Sets a High Bar
When the Arizona Technology Council’s Arizona Manufacturing Catalyst Committee was looking for a way to bring the state’s manufacturers together, little did they realize the results would be more than memorable. “The committee was formed with the express purpose of creating a center of mass for the diverse manufacturing ecosystem to come together, define common goals and … [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]
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]
