Axon Enterprise Inc. has signed a deal with the U.S. Forest Service, PADT Principal and Co-founder Eric Miller is a winner of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2019 Top Tech Exec Award, Benchmark is honored with the Large Manufacturer of the Year Award, electric-plane startup Eviation is getting off the ground with its pioneering commuter aircraft, Qwick earns a spot as a Top 50 Great Place to Work, CHIME wins silver in the 2019 CEO World Awards, Tgen receives a grant for cancer-detection blood tests, Acronis SCS launches its new veteran initiative, iTether Technologies to expand access to health literacy content, IMNA Solutions participates in the Arizona BioPreneur Conference, Paradox employs AI to revolutionize talent acquisition, HiMS named a Best Place to Work by Tucson Metro Chamber, and more. See the full update here.

 

Tech leaders honored at the 2019 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation 
The Arizona Technology Council, in conjunction with the Arizona Commerce Authority, announced the winners of the 2019 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) Awards. This marked the 16th year of this prestigious gala attended by more than 600 of Arizona’s top leaders in business, technology and government. Winners were celebrated on stage during the awards ceremony at the event. View the complete list of winners and view the photos.

 

 

Council partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona to launch AHP
The Council is proud to announce its association health plan (AHP) in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. Through this collaborative partnership, tech startups and growing companies will gain a tremendous opportunity to focus more on what they do best: innovate. The Council understands the challenges and barriers many startups face. That is exactly the reason why this new AHP targets member employers with fewer than 100 employees. To learn more or to get a quote, visit www.aztechcouncil.org/ahp.

 

PADT Co-founder Eric Miller elected as board chair of the Council
The Arizona Technology Council recently announced Eric Miller, co-founder and principal of PADT, Inc., has been elected by the Council’s board of directors to serve as board chair. The Council also welcomes Ballard Spahr attorney Jonathon Talcott in the position of secretary. Eric Lewis, partner at EY, was reappointed as treasurer. In addition, four directors have been elected for three-year terms: Christine Boles, Yakov Sidorin, Islamshah Amlani and Drena Kusari. Learn more about these industry leaders.

 

Top Tech 2019: Diana Vowels, general manager of Galvanize
The Valley’s tech community is having a renaissance. Along with that growth has come a huge influx of people helping to move the industry forward. As in years past, the Phoenix Business Journal has recognized those making a difference through its Top Tech program and this year is no exception. Diana Vowels is at the forefront as Arizona’s technology industry has continued to expand. In this Q&A, Diana shares the best thing about working in a tech-related field, the biggest challenge in adapting to the pace of technology, and more.

 

Intel shares jump on strong third quarter, boosted outlook 
Intel reported stronger than anticipated third-quarter results and boosted its full-year guidance by $1.5 billion. With Wall Street expecting $18 billion in revenue, the chip giant had record revenue in the quarter at $19.2 billion. Read more to see how each business unit fared in the quarter.

 

Phoenix Business Journal wins bevy of industry awards 
The Phoenix Business Journal staff took home 14 awards as well as recognition as one of the best newspapers in the state at the annual Arizona Newspapers Association annual convention. The Business Journal received seven first-place awards, and also took second place in the General Excellence category for its overall work in reporting, writing, editing and design in the Division 2 category for weekly publications. It’s the sixth-consecutive year the paper has been honored with either a first place or runner-up General Excellence award. The editorial staff, as well as individual Business Journal professionals. were honored. Read more here on their amazing reporting, stories and photos.

 

Q&A with Avnet CEO Bill Amelio
The Phoenix Business Journal annually recognizes those making a difference through its Top Tech program. This year is no exception as the publication highlight individuals who have not just made an impact on their companies, but on the greater technology sector around them. Check out the Q&A with Avnet CEO Bill Amelio to read about his tech industry inspiration, the first time he knew tech would be his career, and his biggest career accomplishment.

 

Support renewable energy: Sign on to the Council’s letter to the ACC
The Arizona Technology Council strongly encourages the Arizona Corporation Commission to increase the state’s Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) to up to at least 50% renewable energy by 2030. Forward thinking, eco-friendly businesses understand the importance of renewable energy. Sign on to the Council’s petition to reflect energy technology advances and new market realities in Arizona. Contact marketing@aztechcouncil.org to learn how.

Can a company be sustainable, competitive and profitable? 
Intel’s Suzanne Fallender says YES. As director of corporate responsibility, Fallender shares her thoughts on how Intel stays innovative, profitable AND environmentally friendly. Read Intel’s nine tips to innovate and protect the environment.

SRP helps truckers reduce emissions and improve air quality
As one of Arizona’s largest utilities, Salt River Project employs an innovative, all-electric approach to keep truck drivers comfortable when they are parked and resting at the company’s Phoenix facility. Not only does this approach make the air cleaner and more breathable, but it also saves the company money. Learn more about SRP’s Truck Stop and Fleet Electrification rebate program.

UA professor named to International Earth Commission
Diana Liverman, a University of Arizona professor, has been named as one of 19 members of the International Earth Commission, a new global group drafting potential responses to climate change and biodiversity challenges. As a top climate researcher and expert on sustainable development, Liverman will focus on strategies to lift people out of poverty in a climate-friendly and equitable way.

 

October 2019 Preferred Business Partner: jdh Insights
As a member of the Arizona Technology Council, you have greater access to Joan Hibdon at jdh Insights, a valued partner you can trust to align your organization’s people around the company culture, mission, vision and objectives. Joan is a certified coach and human resources leader with over 20 years of experience helping companies achieve breakthrough results by focusing on their most important and complex asset, their humans. For leadership development training, team effectiveness sessions and individual coaching to current and emerging leaders, visit https://jdhinsights.com.