Arizona’s Top Innovators, Business Leaders and Educators Honored at 2025 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation
Award Recipients Recognized by Arizona Technology Council and Arizona Commerce Authority for Contributions to the State’s Innovation Ecosystem
PHOENIX, November 13, 2025 —The Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority announced the award winners of the 2025 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI), honoring the state’s most impactful technology companies, leaders, educators and rising students. This year’s winners and finalists were celebrated during a Nov. 12 gala at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix, marking another year of extraordinary achievements across Arizona’s fast-growing innovation ecosystem.
“Arizona’s pace of innovation has never been stronger, thanks to the vision and dedication of organizations and leaders like those we celebrated,” said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Council and SciTech Institute. “Our 2025 awardees represent the best of Arizona’s creativity, ingenuity and leadership in technology.”
“We’re proud to partner with the Arizona Technology Council to celebrate the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation awards and recognize the incredible innovations taking place in Arizona,” said Sandra Watson, president and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. “Congratulations to this year’s outstanding winners who are helping shape Arizona’s innovation landscape.”
2025 GCOI Award Winners
Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year: Per Scholas Phoenix
Judges Award: Flinn Foundation
People’s Choice AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award: James Currier, president and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies
MSS Business Transformation Leader of the Year: Jeff Benck, president and CEO, Benchmark
Innovator of the Year – Large Company: Aligned Data Centers
Innovator of the Year – Small Company: Optical Support, Inc.
Innovator of the Year – Startup: JACE Sciences/RokPaper Packaging
Innovator of the Year – Academia: New Frontiers of Sound Science and Technology Center
The individual and company award winners were evaluated and chosen by the following members of a selection committee of experts independent of the Council:
- Bob DeLean, Arizona Tech Investors
- Doug Hockstad, Tech Launch Arizona, The University of Arizona
- Eric Miller, PADT, Inc.
- Keith Latchaw, MSS Business Transformation Advisory
Winners of the 2025 Future Innovators of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards were announced Sept. 17. These outstanding students and educators represent Arizona’s next generation of STEM talent and innovation leadership.
Additionally, winners of the GCOI Legislator Awards for Outstanding Technology Senator of the Year, Outstanding Technology Representative of the Year and Tech Ten Champions awards were disclosed Nov. 5. The state lawmakers were recognized for advancing Arizona’s technology industry and supporting STEM education.
About the Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council (AZTC) is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies. Recognized as comprising a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, visionaries, and community members to make an impact on the technology industry. These interactions contribute to the Council’s culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit www.aztechcouncil.org.
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create — attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com..