Defense as the Best Offense
Arizona’s Aerospace and Defense industry is taking off, reaching new heights with significant investments — and even more growth on the horizon. Industry leaders across the state are developing cutting-edge technologies, creating skilled jobs, and ensuring our national defense. As one of Arizona’s fastest-growing industries, Aerospace and Defense represents an immense opportunity to strengthen our economy.
As home to a robust supply chain of global A&D leaders and exciting innovators, Arizona is at the epicenter of the nation’s defense industry, demonstrated by the state’s top three ranking for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness and top five ranking for largest A&D manufacturing employment.
To expand Arizona’s aerospace and defense leadership, last month, the ACA and the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center launched the Arizona Office of Defense Innovation, a strategic initiative that will support and grow the state’s A&D industry and expand Department of Defense missions in the state. Housed within the ACA, the ODI will serve as a critical hub to coordinate efforts between state agencies, defense contractors, academia, innovators and the DOD while encouraging the development and deployment of emerging technologies.
For this month’s cover story, In Business Magazine reached out to four of the biggest companies in the A&D space in Arizona. Input from Honeywell, Boeing, General Dynamics and Raytheon provide insights on Arizona’s A&D industry and future outlook.
This month’s feature article addresses a timely topic for employers navigating sensitive cultural issues. Dr. Poornima Luthra provides helpful tips and guidance to support all employees in her article “Beyond the Acronym: How Companies Can Rethink DEI without Backlash.”
Sam Bolen covers another issue for businesses in her article “Empowering Employees through Uncertainty.” The article explores the toll of uncertainty experienced by a workforce and offers practical options for company leadership.
This month’s thought-provoking Roundtable feature takes a close look at the value of reputation in business. In “Your Reputation Is Your Résumé – Guard It Well,” Jennifer Kaplan underscores the distinction between brand and reputation as she emphasizes the foundational importance of integrity.
Other articles touch on Arizona’s electric vehicle momentum and the value of online booking to modern businesses. This month also reprises the Arts & Culture guide so well-received when it debuted last year.
As we begin a new season of arts and cultural events, In Business Magazine presents the Arts & Culture Guide for 2025/2026 season to showcase some of our great organizations and provide information on how to connect to enrich your lives and help impact our great community.
It is my pleasure to work with In Business Magazine in its efforts to inform and strengthen our local economy. Please enjoy this August edition of In Business Magazine.
Sincerely,
Sandra Watson
President & CEO
Arizona Commerce Authority
Sandra Watson is an economic development professional with more than 30 years of leadership experience in business attraction and expansion, innovation, entrepreneurship, economic policy and workforce development. Watson currently serves as the president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, a public-private partnership that leads statewide economic development. The ACA has successfully landed 1,360 companies that have committed to creating more than 312,000 quality jobs and investing more than $194 billion in new capital in the state.
