Headquartering Here: Benefits of Having Your Business in Arizona

Across a variety of industries, and from global to local, businesses’ perspective and experience have much in common

by RaeAnne Marsh

“Some of the most prominent companies in the world have chosen Greater Phoenix as a headquarters location. From direct economic contribution and job creation to advancements in technology and healthcare, these companies are integral to Greater Phoenix’s quality of life and economic opportunity,” says Chris Camacho, president and CEO of Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

And quality of life is, in turn, also a factor in what draws companies here. Camacho characterizes it as a key driver of migration and business expansion, citing our 300 days of sun, outdoor activities, major sporting events, lively downtown scenes around the region and a unique arts and culture scene filled with diverse museums, public installations and music events. Additionally, he notes the average commute time also remains low, under half an hour, creating further advantages for employees who live here. “The communities that make up Greater Phoenix offer a variety of lifestyles, suitable for anyone, ranging from families to college students and young adults, and, as more people move to Arizona, more businesses have leveraged the workforce opportunities and lifestyle-driven retention for hiring,” Camacho says.

As Guest Editor of this July edition of In Business Magazine, Camacho goes into more detail on attractions and advantages of Greater Phoenix in his Guest Editor Letter.

GPEC and the Arizona Commerce Authority are helping to make sure companies know the full range of what Greater Phoenix has to offer them.

Says ACA president and CEO Sandra Watson, “Headquarter projects represent a huge opportunity for Arizona. We’re strategically focused on continuing to attract headquarters to Arizona to strengthen our economy.” She notes that Arizona has become the premier destination for headquarters, attracting global companies across growing industries such as manufacturing, aerospace and defense, technology, and many more. “The world’s leading companies continue to select Arizona for their HQ operations, and it’s easy to see why. With an environment that supports business success; an abundant, growing talent pool; and unbeatable quality of life, Arizona will continue to stand out as a leading destination for companies to lay down roots.”

As the businesses nurture their roots, our community benefits mightily as well.

“Companies form an attachment to the city in which they are headquartered, building synergy with the broader community to help develop workforce, fuel utility expansion and participate in community service,” Camacho observes. He points to TSMC Arizona’s participation in the MCCCD Semiconductor Technician Quick Start program, which is training the next generation of specialized industry technicians; HonorHealth serving as the primary clinical affiliate for ASU’s School of Medicine and Advanced Engineering, helping to drive education in the ASU health program; and Vitalant, one of the largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations in the country, helping directly save the lives of Arizonans and others around the United States.

He offers Banner Health as another example. “What started as a merger between two nonprofit organizations in 1999 has matured into the largest private employer in Greater Phoenix, employing nearly 30,000 people. Healthcare companies with headquarters in the region like Banner Health, HonorHealth and Vitalant do more than create jobs — they drive healthcare innovation and create quality care and improved outcomes benefiting the lives of all Arizonans.”

Camacho also points to the vital role of companies in the advanced manufacturing and semiconductor supply chain to the development of new technology. Some examples are Amkor, which is constructing the first advanced packaging facility of its kind in the U.S. in Peoria; onsemi, which was originally spun off of Motorola’s Phoenix HQ; and Axon, the defense-tech leader planning a new corporate headquarters that will create 5,500 high-paying jobs in Scottsdale.

“In total, headquarters in the region have created more than 100,000 direct jobs for Arizonans,” Camacho says. “Behind these companies, Greater Phoenix has emerged as an internationally recognized home for businesses seeking a reliable market for headquarters with an ecosystem that supports future growth.”

The following businesses share why they recognize Greater Phoenix as a desirable base for their headquarters — international companies with U.S. headquarters here, major U.S.-based companies that relocated their headquarters here, and national companies that launched here. Across a variety of industries, their perspective and experience have much in common.

International Companies with U.S. Headquarters in Arizona

ASM’s U.S. headquarters in Scottsdale

Company: ASM International, a Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer
In Arizona since: 1976
from Paul Ma 

The industry ecosystem here has grown significantly since ASM first established its North America headquarters in Arizona in 1976. Since then, we’ve continued to invest and grow. Today, Arizona is home to ASM’s largest research and development facility. We’ve announced a significant expansion and are proud to be making progress on our new state-of-the-art site in Scottsdale.

Our long-standing commitment here is bolstered by the state’s positive business climate and strategic proximity to dozens of key customers and suppliers. We remain dedicated to advancing technology, supporting regional development, and driving innovations that positively impact the world.

Paul Ma is a corporate vice president at ASM and is head of its Thermal Products business unit. He joined ASM in 2018 as vice president and head of its key product unit and has more than 20 years of experience in the semiconductor equipment industry.

Ma received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemical and materials engineering from Auckland University and a doctorate in chemical engineering from Cornell University. He has written more than 30 technical articles and holds more than 100 patents.

 

 

 

Kudelski Group’s U.S. headquarters in Phoenix

Company: The Kudelski Group, a Swiss company that is a world leader in digital security
In Arizona since: 2016
from André Kudelski

In 2016, after conducting an analysis of several U.S. metropolitan areas, the Kudelski Group selected Greater Phoenix as the location for its second global headquarters. Phoenix stood out for several compelling reasons, beginning with our most important consideration: our people. As we planned to relocate several employees, including senior executives, and their families from Switzerland, quality of life was paramount. Phoenix offered a lower cost of living compared to other areas under consideration, along with access to top-tier healthcare providers and a wide range of recreational opportunities — factors that make the region highly attractive to our workforce.

Equally important was our ability to attract and retain new talent to support our growing operations. As one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S., Phoenix gave us confidence in our long-term hiring prospects. The region’s skilled and expanding talent pool — bolstered by institutions like Arizona State University, known for its leadership in innovation and engineering — has fully supported our recruitment goals. Additionally, the area’s appeal to out-of-state professionals has further strengthened our hiring pipeline. With the active support of local educational institutions, we successfully launched an apprenticeship program, inspired by our Swiss program, that has become a showcase of our workforce development strategy.

Finally, Arizona’s pro-business environment played a critical role in our decision. Competitive corporate tax rates, streamlined regulatory processes, and targeted job incentive programs gave us confidence that we were investing in a location that would actively support our growth. We’ve been especially impressed by the accessibility and engagement of both federal and local officials — including the Governor, members of Congress and city officials — who have shown genuine interest in our operations. Local economic development organizations, such as the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, have also been invaluable advocates at every level of government.

Together, these factors make Greater Phoenix a compelling, cost-effective and future-ready location for the Kudelski Group as we continue to expand our U.S. presence.

Quality of Life

As a Swiss, family-controlled company, we place a strong emphasis on quality of life — a value that has helped us retain many long-tenured employees. From the design, quality and comfort of our office space to the healthy food selections available to our employees in our company restaurants, we believe that a positive work environment begins with attention to everyday experiences. Our Swiss headquarters, located near the Alps and Lake Geneva, offer employees access to world-class outdoor recreation and cultural events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival.

When selecting Phoenix for our second global headquarters, it was essential that we be able to offer high quality working conditions, including quality of life. While some of the activities in Arizona may be different from those in Switzerland, the region’s affordability, natural beauty and abundance of outdoor and cultural activities make it an equally compelling place to live and work. Whether it’s hiking in the Sonoran Desert, exploring the arts scene or enjoying year-round sunshine, Phoenix offers a lifestyle that supports employee well-being and plays a key role in our ability to attract and retain top talent.

Year-over-Year Perspective

When we decided in 2016 to establish our second global headquarters in Phoenix, it was largely driven by our recognition of the U.S. market’s significance to our future growth. As our largest market and home to some of our biggest customers, expanding in the U.S. was a natural step in our evolution as a multinational company. That remains just as true today as it was then.

However, the world has undergone dramatic and unprecedented transformations since we arrived in Phoenix, including the COVID-19 pandemic, capability to work efficiently from anywhere, rapid increase in digitalization, rise of AI and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and remaking of the global economic order, to name a few. If anything, these changes have only strengthened my commitment to our Phoenix operations.

In times of global disruption, whether caused by pandemics, wars or trade disputes, a well-diversified global presence is more vital than ever. The importance of diversification became particularly evident when supply chains were stress-tested by the pandemic and, more recently, as trade-related uncertainties complicate both supply chains and financial forecasting. For a multinational company like the Kudelski Group, our worldwide operations, including our Phoenix headquarters, provide the agility and flexibility needed to navigate the evolving landscape. These qualities are essential for the long-term success of any global enterprise in 2025.

Benefit to Our Economy

Phoenix serves as the Kudelski Group’s second headquarters for its executive leadership and is home to our state-of-the-art cyber-fusion center — a critical hub for managing our global security operations. Phoenix plays an important role in our major investment initiatives, which are centered around core digital security technologies for media, cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT). Our growth in Phoenix is focused on high-tech positions that not only contribute meaningfully to the local tax base but also reinforce U.S. leadership in critical technology sectors. These efforts support the security of critical infrastructure in the U.S. and promote growth in advanced digital security solutions.

In the cybersecurity space, the Kudelski Group is developing advanced solutions to combat the growing threat landscape facing both public and private sectors. Our Phoenix cyber-fusion center is a cornerstone of this effort, enabling real-time threat detection, response and innovation. In parallel, our leadership in IoT is also driven from Phoenix, where we are designing and deploying cutting-edge technologies that help businesses across industries secure their devices, data and operations. One of our latest innovations, RecovR, is a secure asset management and tracking solution tailored for the automotive, logistics and warehousing sectors.

As a Swiss company with a long-standing commitment to workforce development, we are proud to bring our apprenticeship model to the U.S. Inspired by our program in Switzerland but tailored for the specific attributes of the U.S. educational system, we have established partnerships with local high schools and post-secondary educational institutions to identify talented young students and provide a pathway to cultivating skills in high-technology fields while also continuing their educational path, including into two- and four-year college programs. The program in our Phoenix headquarters has been well received by the apprentices and their parents, and our graduates have been recognized at both the state and federal levels. We have even expanded our program to train the next generation of chefs in the professional kitchen serving our employees. This initiative helps to establish the apprenticeship model as a valuable means of advancing innovation and workforce readiness in Arizona, while at the same time strengthening our local talent pipeline in areas like cybersecurity that face critical talent shortages.

André Kudelski is chairman and CEO of the Kudelski Group. Over the course of his career, Kudelski has gained international recognition for his impact on the digital television industry. His numerous honors include being nominated as a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in 1995 and receiving an Emmy Award from the National Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1996 for achievements in the area of pay-TV conditional access and scrambling systems.

André Kudelski is also president of Innosuisse, the Swiss Federal Agency for Innovation, and vice-chairman of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce. He acts as lead director to the board of directors of the Publicis Groupe and is a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. He is a council member of the Science and Technology in Society forum, Japan. He previously served on the boards of Nestlé, HSBC Private Banking Holdings (Suisse) and Dassault Systèmes. Kudelski has a MSc in applied physics from EPFL and is a member of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences.

 

TSMC Arizona’s manufacturing plant in Phoenix

Company: TSMC Arizona Corporation, part of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s most advanced manufacturer of semiconductor chips
In Arizona since: 2020
from Rose Castanares

When TSMC made the decision to build advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the U.S., we visited several states. Arizona was an attractive location to us for many reasons.

Arizona already had an existing semiconductor industry presence. The semiconductor supply chain is significant, and some of our suppliers were already operating in the region. As government leaders had familiarity with our industry, they understood what would be required to start our project successfully, and, more importantly, sustain it for the long-term.

One of these factors was the utilities infrastructure, as well as access to the water and energy resources required in chipmaking. While TSMC Arizona is deeply committed to water recycling and energy conservation, we were impressed with the state’s multidecade strategy to ensure both residential and industry growth can be supported.

Also critical was access and proximity to a pipeline of local talent. With our current plans to invest $165 billion in Arizona, we will be hiring thousands in the years to come. We have 3,000 employees today, and will grow to 6,000 to support our first three fabs by the end of the decade. Arizona boasts a strong talent pipeline through the higher education institutions. Of note is Arizona State University, with one of the largest engineering student enrollments in the country. And our partnerships with local community colleges are opening doors to technicians and other local area job seekers to careers at our company.

TSMC Arizona has already meaningfully contributed to the state’s economy and job growth. The construction of our operation has created more than 20,000 unique trade worker jobs to date — with thousands more to come. According to an economic analysis by GPEC (2024), our first three fabs ($65 billion investment) will create more than $32 billion in economic output — representing the collective benefit to businesses small to large that will grow up around us.

We are also mindful of our employees’ needs outside of work so that they — and their families — can thrive. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the country, and a very attractive place to live. The great weather, recreational options, outdoor lifestyle and diverse K-12 education choices all reinforced our decision to build our operation in Phoenix, Ariz.

Rose Castanares is a 27-year veteran of TSMC and is currently president of TSMC Arizona. With a planned $165 billion investment representing the largest foreign direct investment in U.S. history, TSMC Arizona is now producing in high volume the most advanced semiconductor technology on American soil. In Castanares’ distinguished career in the semiconductor industry, she has consistently achieved exceptional results and strengthened customer relationships.

Castanares previously served as senior vice president of Business Management for TSMC North America, where she contributed to the company’s leadership in the semiconductor sector through her collaboration with many valued U.S. customers. Her career includes leadership roles in engineering, quality and sales at Chartered Semiconductor, GTE, National Semiconductor and Siliconix. Castanares earned her Bachelor of Science in material engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Today, she is a member of Natcast’s National Semiconductor Technology Center Workforce Advisory Board as well as the Governor’s Workforce Arizona Council.

 

Cognite’s U.S. headquarters in Tempe

Company: Cognite, a Norwegian software-as-a-service company that delivers industrial software to improve production efficiency of energy, process manufacturing and other industrial companies
In Arizona since: 2025
from Girish Rishi

Cognite’s expansion into Arizona brings high-quality, high-paying jobs to the region — anchored in AI, software and industrial technology. We’re not just opening an office; we’re investing in the local ecosystem by collaborating with universities, partnering with industry leaders and contributing to Arizona’s emergence as a top hub for digital innovation.

Our move to Tempe marks a pivotal moment for Cognite. As the global leader in industrial software, establishing our U.S. headquarters here positions us perfectly to tap into a diverse and expansive market. We’re not just relocating; we’re integrating into Phoenix’s vibrant culture of innovation and risk-taking, to which we are eager to contribute.

A primary driver for this decision is the incredible talent pool in Arizona. The higher education infrastructure, anchored by Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, provides an outstanding pipeline of graduates. Their robust programs in AI, large data models and machine learning align seamlessly with Cognite’s technical focus, and we’ve already begun discussions on collaborative innovation initiatives.

The pro-business conditions here — including municipal and state governments, a pro-business governor, chambers, and groups like the Greater Phoenix Economic Council — made it a no-brainer. When government, community and economic drivers align, ‘no-brainer’ becomes the highest praise for progress.

Girish Rishi is the CEO of Cognite, which makes GenAI work for industry, providing a user-friendly, secure and scalable platform that makes it easy for all decision-makers, from the field to remote operations centers, to access and understand complex industrial data, collaborate in real-time and build a better tomorrow. Rishi has a master’s degree in public policy from Johns Hopkins University, an MBA from the University of Hartford and an undergraduate degree from the University of Mumbai.

 

 

Major U.S.-Based Companies That Relocated to Arizona

Avnet’s headquarters in Phoenix; the company plans to relocate to a 150,000-square-foot Class A office building it recently purchased in Tempe

Company: Avnet, a U.S.-based global technology solutions company that primarily acts as a distributor of electronic components and computer products
In Arizona since: 1979; the company fully relocated its global headquarters from suburban New York City to Phoenix in 1997
from Phil Gallagher

Avnet sits at the center of the technology value chain, shipping 218 billion units around the world every year. Avnet’s presence in the Phoenix area dates back to 1979, but the company fully transitioned the logistics operations for its Americas business to its distribution center in Chandler in 1999. We ship more than 700,000 orders annually from our warehouses right here in Phoenix.

Avnet also has an integration facility in Chandler, Ariz. We moved our headquarters here in 1997 and currently are the largest corporation headquartered in Phoenix by revenue, employing more than 1,200 people between our three facilities in metro Phoenix. We recently extended our commitment to the metro Phoenix area by purchasing a new headquarters building in Tempe, Ariz.

Arizona’s welcoming business climate was a major factor in our decision to move our headquarters to Phoenix 28 years ago. Having our headquarters and logistics operations in Phoenix enables us to better support our business partners, including many semiconductor companies based in Phoenix that are our strategic suppliers. The area’s strong employment base, amazing universities and secondary educational institutions, stable business environment and strong transportation infrastructure enable us to ship products consistently.

Avnet is committed to associations and partnerships that support business growth throughout the Valley. From our involvement with the Arizona Technology Council and Arizona Commerce Authority to our partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Avnet is a pillar of the Phoenix community. We are also committed to giving back through our Avnet Cares program, most recently supporting organizations such as the Arizona FIRST Robotics Competition and the Arizona Science Center.

Since we moved our headquarters to Phoenix, our perspective has only been reinforced. It’s very exciting how the Arizona economy is poised for growth — you can see the effect of the pervasiveness of electronics. Not only do our established industries, such as tourism and entertainment, continue to grow and recover post-pandemic, but we’ve diversified our economy significantly with both new and existing players building new facilities, such as TSMC and Intel as well LG’s new battery plant in Queen Creek. This diversity insulates our economy more and strengthens our community, which is good for our business, employees, strategic partners and for our community.

Phil Gallagher is the CEO of Avnet. His previous 40-plus years at Avnet include serving as global president of Electronic Components, where he was responsible for leading the company’s massive broadline components distribution business worldwide, as well as key executive leadership positions in sales, marketing and operations.

He is also a past president of the National Electronics Distributors Association, now known as the Electronics Components Industry Association. In 2009, he received the Gail S. Carter Award, one of the organization’s highest honors. He currently serves on the Arizona Commerce Authority Board of Directors, the Greater Phoenix Leadership Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board of Women in Electronics. Gallagher is also a member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

Gallagher recently was awarded the AccountabillT Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Drexel University.

 

Carlisle Companies headquarters in Scottsdale

Company: Carlisle Companies, a leading supplier of innovative building envelope products and solutions for more energy-efficient buildings
In Arizona since: 2016, relocating to Scottsdale from North Carolina
from Chris Koch 

Arizona has a large pool of experienced and well-educated talent dedicated to remaining in the area, which provides Carlisle stable and dedicated resources for its growth initiatives. Access and proximity to top-tier research universities provides resources and available local talent. Carlisle received employment-based government incentives to relocate to Arizona, which evidenced Arizona’s welcoming, pro-business approach.

Aside from the dynamic Phoenix business community, the vibrant and affordable quality of life offered in Arizona with its growing communities, numerous amenities and excellent schools helps Carlisle attract and retain key employees.

In addition to growing Carlisle’s base of employment in Arizona with industry-leading compensation programs, Carlisle’s engagement in the Phoenix community includes sponsorships of programs for veterans’ health, women’s golf, Phoenix Children’s, Elevate Phoenix, Sojourner Center and other community causes.

Chris Koch is chair, president and CEO of Carlisle Companies Inc., which delivers, through its building products businesses, innovative, labor-reducing and environmentally responsible products and solutions. Leveraging its culture of continuous improvement as embodied in the Carlisle Operating System (“COS”), Carlisle has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

 

 

 

Comtech Telecommunications headquarters in Chandler

Company: Comtech Telecommunications Corp., a leading provider of satellite and space communications technologies
In Arizona since: 2000; the company relocated its global headquarters from New York to Chandler in 2024
from Ken Traub

 Relocating Comtech’s headquarters to Chandler was a strategic decision to place the company at the center of a thriving technology hub and align with our long-term growth strategy. After decades of serving customers and partners in the Greater Phoenix region, we recognized Chandler as a natural fit for our global headquarters. The area offers a dynamic technology ecosystem, access to highly skilled talent, and a pro-business environment that supports our mission to deliver cutting-edge, mission-critical communications systems to customers across the globe.

Chandler was already home to several of Comtech’s largest customers, and the region’s robust ecosystem of leading aerospace, defense and technology companies provides strategic proximity that enhances collaboration and accelerates the deployment of our next generation of communications systems.

Beyond business advantages, building strong community connections is important to us, and Chandler offers exceptional lifestyle benefits that enhance the well-being of our employees. Comtech is also committed to deepening our investment in the community, and, over the past several years, we’ve hosted local internships, partnered with university organizations and have been actively involved in the annual Chandler Innovation Fair.

The move to Chandler marked a major milestone in Comtech’s journey. This area is well aligned with our future growth plans and provides a tremendous opportunity to continue delivering trusted, mission-critical communications solutions to our global customers — right from the heart of one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology hubs.

Ken Traub, president and CEO of Comtech, has more than three decades of experience as a CEO, chairman, director, investor and consultant in numerous public companies.

 

 

 

 

National Companies Launched and Headquartered in Arizona

Sprouts Farmers Market headquarters in Phoenix

Company: Sprouts Farmers Market, a grocery chain that specializes in providing natural and organic foods and other healthy, lifestyle-friendly products
Founded in Arizona: 2002; now with stores nationwide
from Timmi Zalatoris

Arizona has proven to be a highly strategic location for the Sprouts Farmers Market headquarters, and we have loved being based here since 2002. The state offers a diverse and growing population, which translates into a strong, varied talent pool. In Phoenix specifically, we’ve seen a steady influx of skilled professionals drawn by the area’s quality of life and lower cost of living compared to other major metro regions. The proximity to major universities ensures a consistent pipeline of emerging talent.

The state and local governments have demonstrated a strong commitment to economic development, innovation and job creation — factors that directly align with our growth strategy. We know we are supported in our hometown and are committed to helping the people of Arizona live and eat better.

Quality of Life

Lifestyle played a significant role in affirming Phoenix as the long-term home for Sprouts. Arizona offers a rare balance: access to world-class outdoor recreation and natural beauty, a vibrant cultural scene, and a relatively low cost of living — all of which contribute to strong team member satisfaction and retention. I can tell you that when team members feel rooted in a community that supports their well-being — both personally and professionally — it has a direct impact on engagement and productivity. We have many community partners who have supported us for many years, and we are committed to ensuring our customers, team members and community thrive.

Year-over-Year Perspective

If anything, our appreciation for Arizona has only deepened over the years we have been here. Over the past two decades, Sprouts has watched the region while maintaining the quality-of-life advantages that first attracted Sprouts to the area. The workforce has grown more sophisticated, infrastructure continues to improve, and the community of business leaders here is highly collaborative. We’re confident that we made the right choice, and Sprouts’ continued investment in a new headquarters speaks to that long-term commitment.

Benefit to Our Community

Sprouts’ presence here has allowed us to create quality jobs in our stores and support office that contribute meaningfully to Arizona’s economy. As we expand, we’re not just growing our store support office team — we’re also fueling the success of local vendors, service providers and industry partners and store teams. The synergy we’ve experienced with other businesses in the region and across the country — particularly with local growers, sustainability and helping people live and eat better — has opened opportunities for innovation and cross-industry collaboration. We see ourselves as an integral part of Arizona’s growth story and are proud to contribute to the economic vibrancy of the state.

Timmi Zalatoris is chief human resources officer at Sprouts Farmers Market.

 

 

 

 

Inside one of Carvana headquarters in Tempe: Carvana highlights its values wall to reflect that what defines the company isn’t its physical space, but its purpose

Company: Carvana, an online-only used car retailer that allows customers to buy and sell used vehicles entirely online
Founded in Arizona: 2012; now with stores nationwide
from Adrienne Sanford

In our early years, many questioned our decision to build Carvana from a headquarters in Arizona rather than Silicon Valley or a more traditional technology hub. However, we have always felt lucky to call Arizona home, and we know this community has contributed to our success in so many ways, from the incredible home-grown talent and university system to a collegial and supportive business community. 

Arizona has a tremendous and growing pipeline of talent. Arizona State University’s math, engineering, computer science and many graduate programs have been a tremendous pipeline for technical talent, while the University of Arizona’s business programs have provided strong candidates for our operations and finance teams.

Quality of Life

The lifestyle benefits of living in Arizona, including the state’s relatively attractive cost of living, convenience, and access to the outdoors, especially compared to traditional tech hubs, also plays a role in attracting and retaining a strong talent pool.

Year-over-Year Perspective

This community has grown and changed tremendously in recent years, and we’re excited to see Arizona continue to attract new businesses and residents in the years to come. It’s a great place to live, build a career, or start a company.

The most significant change has been the dramatic expansion of Arizona’s tech ecosystem and talent pool in recent years. The tech ecosystem has benefitted from a new crop of home-grown startups and technology companies as well as by organizations like Greater Phoenix Economic Council and its strategic efforts to attract innovative companies to the region. When we started, we were one of the few major tech companies headquartered here. Now, we’re part of a thriving community that includes major expansions from established companies and countless startups.

Benefit to Our Community

We are proud to have created thousands of jobs in Arizona — from entry-level to high-skilled and across many verticals, from logistics and manufacturing to high-tech software engineering. As an employer, our philosophy is “careers, not jobs,” meaning we aim to provide our team members with meaningful and rewarding growth opportunities, and one of our favorite byproducts of this approach is that many, many of our leaders are home-grown.

While we have been headquartered in Arizona since the beginning, we only started serving customers here in 2017. Carvana first launched in the Atlanta area because, on the East Coast, major metropolitan areas are closer together — and having that density was strategically valuable to Carvana as a young, fast-growing and operationally-intensive company. As we expanded, market-by-market, we soon made it out to Phoenix, the West Coast and nationwide coverage. Since 2017, we have been honored to provide a better way to buy or sell a car to customers throughout Arizona.

We are also proud to be active members in the local Arizona community, whether it’s as the front-of-kit sponsor for the Phoenix Rising FC or supporting our employee-led Carvana Communities and their work with local organizations. As Arizona continues to evolve into a national hub for innovation and opportunity, we’re proud to play a role in shaping the future of State 48’s economy.

Adrienne Sanford is vice president of People Operations at Carvana.

 

 

 

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