Technology is sometimes portrayed in the media for its man-vs-machine role in workplace job losses. But it is also touted as an economic growth sector — in fact, it is one of the areas Arizona’s leaders have identified as key to the state’s development of a sustainable, strong, high-wage-based economy.
A number of organizations, including the Arizona Technology Council, are focusing on developing the State of Arizona into a Technology Titan. And we’re beginning to see results. In the most recent issue of Fast Company, Arizona was named the No. 1 state for entrepreneurial activity, the No. 2 state for percentage growth in entrepreneurial activity, and the No. 4 state overall for innovation. It doesn’t stop there. Entrepreneur magazine recently ranked Arizona as one of the top 10 states to start a business due to programs such as the Arizona Innovation Challenge and tax credits for angel investments, as well as others. It’s clear business and government have teamed together to make Arizona a “technology- and business-friendly environment.”
In his cover story “Is Our Technology Drought Over?” Eric Jay Toll looks at the Silicon Desert we once were and how lack of diversification actually undermined the concept, and then comes forward to look at the breadth of our currently evolving technology community. With interviews from Sandra Watson at the Arizona Commerce Authority, Barry Broome at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, mayors of Valley cities and other business leaders, Toll examines how we are positioning ourselves to generate future growth.
This issue also offers, in a “Finance” feature, an alert to small-business owners on how to take advantage of a provision in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 to avoid paying federal taxes on gains from selling qualified small business stock. Snell & Wilmer attorneys Bahar Schippel and Bill Kastin share strategies that enable small businesses to raise equity through this provision that is more commonly used by investors, but note the provision sunsets the end of this year.
In the “Roundtable” feature for this technology issue of In Business Magazine, Ernest von Simson, a veteran IT industry researcher, discusses the rise and fall of yesterday’s IT leaders and the important lessons today’s companies can draw from them in order to remain strong and grow. And this issue includes a special section on the Valley’s technology sector, with profiles on leaders in selected areas of the broad spectrum.
It can be argued that almost everything in today’s business world is connected to technology, and articles throughout this issue of In Business Magazine highlight that reach. However, although technology is the main thrust this month, the publication continues to provide diverse content focused on building business in our community. Welcome to the June issue of In Business Magazine.
Sincerely,
Charles Vermillion
Chief Executive Officer
OneNeck IT Services Corp.
Chuck Vermillion is CEO and founder of OneNeck® IT Services Corporation and is responsible for establishing the strategic vision for the company. He launched the company in 1997, and has been the driving force behind OneNeck’s continued success as an IT industry leader.
Vermillion is chairman emeritus of the Arizona Technology Council. He has been honored with the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year Award as well as numerous other honors and awards. With more than 28 years of experience providing information technology consulting, Vermillion is and will continue to be an outspoken advocate for the IT industry in Arizona.
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