To recognize the visionaries whose passion and dedication are catalysts for the state’s rapidly growing technology community, the Arizona Technology Council in conjunction with the Arizona Commerce Authority will honor them at the 2016 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards presented by Avnet on Nov. 10 at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Innovators and leaders will receive their awards at the 13th annual GCOI in the West Building of the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St. The evening event will include a dinner and awards ceremony followed by live music and dessert. A technology showcase featuring finalists, event sponsors and partners will be open before and after the ceremony.
One of the highlights will be the presentation of the OneNeck IT Solutions Lifetime Achievement Award to Rick Smith, CEO and co-founder of TASER. “Under Rick Smith’s leadership, TASER created a line of products that has saved more than 170,000 lives from death or serious injury,” Council President and CEO Steven G. Zylstra says.
In addition, the following awards will be handed out to these individuals and companies: William F. McWhortor Community Service Leader of the Year to Tomas Gorny, CEO of Scottsdale-based Nextiva; Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year to Brian Mueller, president and CEO of Phoenix-based Grand Canyon University; Pioneering Award to Intel, in Chandler; and Judges Award to Phoenix-based WebPT.
To be announced at GCOI will be a company or organization in each of the following categories: Innovator of the Year – Start-Up Company, Innovator of the Year – Small Company, Innovator of the Year – Large Company, and Innovator of the Year – Academia.
Others to be honored that evening will the legislative Tech Champions and Representative and Senator of the Year. In addition, the Teacher of the Year and Future Innovators of the Year from Arizona high schools will be recognized.
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