TechTalk eNews: February 2022

Involta expands enterprise connectivity in Tucson with addition of Cogent Communications; Leonardo Electronics US Inc. cited for 2021 Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Award; Snap Tech IT receives SOC 2 Type II attestation; Tech Parks Arizona leader Carol Stewart participates in IASP international board meeting; Michael Lohscheller named Nikola Motor president; ED2 Corporation featured in Feb. 2022 issue of Microwave Journal for disruptive approach to mmWave for wireless telecom applications; TriCIS and CP North America announce partnership to engineer and manufacture secure mobile workstations; Intel to acquire Tower Semiconductor; here’s how GPEC has helped the Metro Phoenix economy flourish; local University of Advancing Technology (UAT) professor and students participate in dignitary protection course; Honeywell selected to power new helicopter in key U.S. Army pursuit; Intel launches foundry fund for tech startups; Girish Rishi to step down as Blue Yonder CEO after five years at helm; Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits programs and workshops for nonprofit pros return; NGT Academy launches Phoenix academy and plans to fundraise through web series; Aramid Technologies raises seed round to redefine quality certification management in global supply chains; Carvana Super Bowl advertising debut promises fans, We’ll Drive You Happy™, Arizona Commerce Authority announces statewide broadband middle-mile strategic plan; ABL Academy presents CyberSec Event Week; UArizona Center for Innovation names Casey Carrillo as assistant director; PlanetOne celebrates lessons learned and 30 years of success; and Digital Air Strike launches expanded partner program supporting essential vehicle inventory marketing and technology solutions. Read the complete update >>

If you wear a marketing hat as part of your role, we invite you to the 2022 Marketing Tech Summit on Wednesday, March 9.

You’ll hear from marketing experts at KEO Marketing, August United, Benchmark, the University of Advancing Technology, GitKraken, Slake Consulting, Ideas Collide and Castelazo Content. Featured sessions will include topics like: “Tired of Zoom? Leveraging VR for Business Communications”, “How to Get More Leverage from Your B2B Marketing” and “Marketing Has Evolved, But It’s Still All About Your Buyer”. Use promo code “MINUS10” for $10 off registration..

Register now >>

Tune in to the Council’s next TechCast episode TODAY, February 25 from 1:00-2:00pm MST on Phoenix Business RadioX.

From facial detection to tasers, law enforcement agencies increasingly have access to public safety technologies that are saving lives, mitigating risk and achieving more equitable outcomes. Join the Council to hear a group of leaders from Accenture, Axon, Slalom and EmFluent, LLC discuss how public safety is evolving to improve relationships with communities of color.

Listen >>

Meet the Council’s chief of staff, Laura De George

Laura De George is a woman of many talents and great attention to detail. In this month’s employee profile, we’re interviewing Laura to learn more about her role, fascinating hobbies and love for learning.

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AZTC selected by ASU as a key partner in an NSF ALRISE Alliance Grant

The Council has received a portion of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Accelerate Latinx Representation in STEM Education (ALRISE) Alliance grant to help offer experiential work-based opportunities in STEM to Latinx students.

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My View: Immigrants offer solution to Arizona’s skills gap

According to a recent report released by TechNet, nearly a fifth of AZ’s STEM workforce are immigrants. Find out why Steve Zylstra, Council president and CEO, believes immigrants are the key to resolving the skills gap in Arizona’s technology industry.

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APS, Ease and EmFluent executives elected to the AZTC board of directors

The Council has appointed Jeff Burke of APS, Nathan Harris of Ease and Robin S. Reed of EmFluent to its board of directors. All four executives were elected unanimously to serve three-year terms at the Council’s quarterly board meeting held in January.

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My View: ‘Unfortunate’ ACC vote could hamper state’s economy

The Council, our members and many organizations across the public and private sectors have been strong advocates of clean energy progress and its promise of expanding the clean energy economy and creating tens of thousands of new jobs.

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The Council’s Political Action Committee advocates for tech companies at the local, state and federal level, vets political candidates and endorses those with track records in supporting pro-tech legislation. Support the PAC to take a stand for technology and bolstering Arizona’s economic recovery.

Interested in touring a data center and and learning about Edge computing? Register for the March Tucson after5 Tech Mixer.

The Involta team will walk you through how Edge computing can factor into successful IT solutions for local sectors. You’ll hear from Involta’s Edge computing experts, tour the data center and enjoy networking with the tech community.

*Due to security restrictions, tour attendees will be asked to present their state-issued driver’s license as recorded visitors on the tour. Attendees who prefer not to disclose their information may opt out of the guided tour and enjoy the hosted reception.

Learn more >>

Join the Council and Paragon IT Professionals on Tuesday, March 15 to learn how your company can retain and recruit great talent.

Paragon IT Professionals will moderate an interactive session with a panel of experts on the front lines of hiring and retaining tech talent. They’ll discuss what the job market looks like, how it’s impacting organizations and what can be done to keep great employees engaged.

Learn more >>

As Arizona-built electric cars win praise, Lucid ramps up hiring and seeks workforce to help from state; Build Back Better Plan gives Arizona 55,000 new clean tech jobs, Anheuser Busch delivers new era of beer with Nikola and BYD Motors zero-emission fleet; East Valley mayors ask Sinema for support in expanding electric vehicle sector and infrastructure; Arizona to get millions to develop EV-charging network; Arizona’s future depends on climate action; groundwater and electric school buses are among environmental issues at the Legislature; how governors races may change energy, from EVs to renewables; hydrogen fuel supplier proposes Casa Grande facility; Kore Power signs multi-year supply agreement to provide batteries for fleet electrification solutions; 4 ways to create a carbon-neutral Arizona; Atlis Motor Vehicles opens crowdfunding campaign; and in surprise vote, Arizona Corporation Commission rejects clean energy rules. Read the full report >>

AZTC is a one-stop shop for your benefits needs.

The Council prioritizes simplifying the lives of business owners so they can focus on bringing their missions to life. That’s why we’ve become a one-stop shop to help you build out your benefits program.

Learn how AZTC can enhance your benefits strategy through our competitive health insurance bundle, 401(k) plan and PEO administration offerings.