NOVEMBER 13 | CHATEAU
5:00-5:45PM
Check-in + Networking
5:45PM
Ballroom Opens for Dinner
6:15PM
Opening WELCOME
Carey Peña, Founder + CEO, Inspired Media 360
Steven G. Zylstra, President + CEO, Arizona Technology Council
Alex Iuorio, Senior Vice President, Supplier
Development, Avnet, Board Chair, Arizona Technology Council
Sandra Watson, President + CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority
GOVERNOR’S WELCOME
Governor Katie Hobbs
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Intel Tech Ten
Outstanding Tech Representative of the Year
Outstanding Tech Senator of the Year
AccountabilIT People’s Choice Lifetime
Achievement Award Presentation
Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year
Honeywell Future Innovators of the Year Award
Presentation
American Express Educator of the Year Award
Presentation
Benchmark Innovator of the Year – Academia
Innovator of the Year – Large Company
BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona Innovator of the Year – Start-Up Company
Innovator of the Year – Small Company
MSS Transformation Leadership Award
Judges Award
CLOSING REMARKS
Steven G. Zylstra
8:00-8:30PM
Networking
8:00PM
The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies
Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries 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 learn more, please visit www aztechcouncil org or follow AZTC on X @aztechcouncil
8:00PM
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 and follow the ACA on X at @azcommerce.
Congratulations to Arizona Technology Council’s 2024 Annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation winners and finalists! The Arizona Commerce Authority is proud to support this event and recognize the achievements of the state’s future-forward organizations and companies. Arizona’s vibrant tech ecosystem contributes significantly to the state’s strong economy. Thank you to the outstanding leaders working to develop solutions that make Arizona and the world a better place.
Carey Peña is an Emmy award–winning journalist, television personality, and podcast host.
A natural born storyteller and innate advocate, Peña is determined to create content & connection. It’s why the award-winning journalist and public figure founded Inspired Media 360, a causedriven media and content firm dedicated to informing, advocating, empowering and inspiring.
In 2022, after witnessing the toll the pandemic took on everyone, Peña co-founded Arizona’s Center for Positive Media. Using her talents to identify and amplify stories of impact and paths to healing, she created shows like YouTube’s “Good Morning Sunshine” and “The Next Chapter” podcast.
A believer in paying it forward and giving back, she continues to emcee for the many charities and causes she champions in Arizona and across the United States With an expansive social media following, it's more than the numbers for Peña. It’s about making authentic connections with her audience, and sharing meaningful content with the community to help improve lives - one story at a time.
Pan Seared Rosemary Chicken
Melon and Prosciutto Salad, Wisconsin Bleu Cheese, Fresh Baby Basil, Fig
Balsamic Drizzle
Decadent Chocolate Cake | Seasonal Fruit Galette
Sen. David Gowan, District 19
Gowan has proved to be a champion of the business community during his tenure as a legislator. He has always been an advocate of a balanced budget complete with the incentives needed to attract and retain both businesses and their needed workforce. He has been instrumental in extending key economic development tools essential to the growth of the technology industry and supports lowering the tax burden on businesses and reducing red tape that companies may face.
David Livingston, District 28
Livingston has been a long-time supporter of the technology agenda and has worked to reduce regulations during his tenure in the Legislature. He also championed the continuation of the Arizona Commerce Authority to ensure Arizona can compete with other states to attract companies with high-paying jobs. He understands the importance of programs that incentivize the behaviors to not only grow, attract and retain business but also increase the funds in the state’s coffers to pay for other key priorities, which is important to him in his role as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Ken Bennett, District 1
Bennett has proved to be a considerate and pragmatic legislator. He chairs the Education Committee and has shown that he prioritizes Arizona’s youth being prepared for the workforce. He has sponsored legislation for the Council, including SB1183 to support STEM workforce development program appropriations
Sen. Priya Sundareshan, District 18
Sundareshan is running for reelection to make Arizona a leader in renewable energy, balance water resources through conservation and efficiency, and fully fund public schools. During her first term, she has proved to be a staunch defender of voting rights, as well as an advocate of renewable energy and smart water policy. With an engineering degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and law and natural resources economics degrees from The University of Arizona, she approaches issues with a science-based decision-making style
Sen. Brian Fernandez, District 23
Fernandez is a proven champion of his district who is running for reelection to ensure everyone in his rural community can achieve the American Dream. Having a technology background as a software developer, he understands his industry is essential to Arizona’s healthy and thriving economy. He is supportive of more
funding for STEM education and community colleges as they offer pathways to address the access to talent that Arizona’s innovative companies need to be successful. He fights to invest in safe, reliable infrastructure; sustainable water; and renewable energy for all Arizonans.
Sen. Flavio Bravo, District 26
Bravo has focused his career on assisting immigrants, particularly DACA students, and is running for reelection to continue to advocate his community He understands the housing and economic policy challenges the state is facing. He is very supportive of STEM education and increasing the availability of affordable housing so quality teachers are encouraged to stay in Arizona. He also supports finding policy solutions to grow workforce opportunities in technology by providing students with afterschool opportunities and companies the necessary workforce to help Arizona’s economy prosper. He has supported programs with proven economic results.
Sen. Frank Carroll, District 28
Carroll takes an innovative approach to crafting legislation and has sponsored measures to address workforce development issues in Arizona. He shows a real understanding of the technology community and its impact on economic development. He takes his time to look at the entire picture before making any decision and has been supportive of the technology agenda. Ensuring Arizona’s infrastructure needs are being met has been a top priority as he has advocated key investments and a long-term strategic plan to address Arizona’s growth and transportation needs
Rep. Justin Wilmeth, District 2
Wilmeth, the House Commerce chairman, has proved to be a pro-business, protechnology conservative He has advocated and supported policies that ensure Arizona advances innovation and supports the expansion of companies in Arizona. He is a strong advocate of trade and has led efforts to secure funding for Arizona’s trade offices with key partners, ensuring the continued flow of international commerce through the state.
Rep. David Marshall Sr., District 7
Marshall has been in the House for one term and shown himself to be a thoughtful legislator. He is a conservative member who fights for legislation that gives his constituents more economic development opportunities and ensures that the youth are prepared for available high-quality, high-paying jobs. Marshall sponsored legislation for the Council that would have created a statewide STEM ecosystem that focused on bringing funding to rural Arizona to support government, businesses, constituents and communities for more STEM-focused opportunities, which in turn would bring more high-paying opportunities into his district
Rep. Seth Blattman, District 9
Blattman is a small business owner who understands the importance of sustainable economic growth and a stable business environment that allows companies to thrive. He believes in the need to enhance the quality of public education Arizonans receive, ensure all students have access to educational opportunities, and implement infrastructure that can support the growing technology industry His background in running his family’s manufacturing business helps him understand the importance of programs that propel innovation if done fairly and equitably
Rep. Alma Hernandez, District 20
Hernandez has been a champion of the priorities of the technology industry during her time at the Legislature. She is a pragmatic legislator who has proved she works tirelessly to accomplish her legislative priorities, which include antisemitism, health care, education and economic development. She has successfully sponsored several pieces of legislation that benefit her community She also has supported policies that result in collaborations between companies and educational institutions, and prioritize investment in infrastructure and policies that increase commerce and provide high-quality jobs.
Michael Carbone, District 25
Carbone quickly proved to be a rising star in the Legislature during his first term as he has been a strong advocate of the technology and business communities while ensuring jurisdictions have the tools necessary to attract and retain businesses to their communities. He understands the importance of high-quality, high-paying jobs and ensuring a pipeline of workers is being developed in the state’s education system to meet those workforce needs. He advocates long-term plans to meet Arizona’s infrastructure, transportation and water challenges to keep up with the growth.
Rishabh Sreepathy, Grade 10, Desert Mountain High School, Scottsdale –FungiBug: Detection of Fungal Infection via A Rapid, Accurate, Handheld, Small Volume Blood Diagnostic Device
Aditya Lakshminarasimhan, Grade 11, BASIS Scottsdale – Elucidating Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Host Protein Interactions: Graph Attention Networks (GAT) and Structural Visualization
Brad Wu, Grade 10, Arizona College Prep High School, Chandler – A Rigid-Elastic Hybrid Finger Exoskeleton Rehabilitation System (FERS) for Stroke Patients with Motor Impairment
Vinesh Kothari, Grade 12, BASIS Mesa – Development and Life Cycle Analysis of a Novel MineTailings Derived Cementitious System for Use in Sustainable, Multifunctional Applications
Iraj Shroff, Grade 9, BASIS Chandler – Natural Aqua Purifier: A Novel and Sustainable Water Purification Approach Utilizing Natural Coagulants for Easy Implementation in Rural Regions
Sohini Mallick, Grade 12, University High School, Tucson – The Function of p53 in Intestinal Epithelial Wound Healing
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Michelle Landreville, Paradise Valley High School – CREST, Phoenix
TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONORABLE MENTION
Pradip Misra, Bagdad High School, Bagdad
INNOVATION AWARD FINALISTS AND WINNERS
Innovator of the Year Small Company Finalists
Air2O – Phoenix
Nikola Corporation – Phoenix
Phantom Space Corporation – Tucson
BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona Innovator of the Year - Start-Up
Finalists
Blackstar Orbital Technology – Sierra Vista
iCRx Inc. – Tucson
Swift Coat – Phoenix
Judges Award Finalists
Arizona State University, Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Arizona State University, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
Rio Salado College
People’s Choice AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award
Winners
Kathleen “KJ” Jolivette, vice president/general manager,
Boeing Vertical Lift
Jim Cantrell, CEO and co-founder, Phantom Space
Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year Winner
Tech Parks Arizona, University of Arizona – Tucson
Innovator of the Year Large Company Winner
LiveOps – Scottsdale
Benchmark Innovator of the Year Academia Winner
Valley Fever Center for Excellence – Tucson
The MSS Business Transformational Leadership Award
Edwards – Chandler
Jim is the founder of several entrepreneurial startups, including Phantom Space, Vector, StratSpace and Vintage Exotics Competition Engineering and is a Founder and Managing Partner at Wolverine Capital. He is the Author of the book "Breaking All The Rules - The Inside Story Of The New Space Race"and "Two Hours Until Dawn - 25 Things Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Auto Racing". He was on the founding team at SpaceX where he was the first VP of Business Development, and has held positions at NASA and the French Space Agency Jim also served early roles with successful startups including Iceye, Skybox Imaging, York Space Systems and PlanetIQ
StratSpace has a long history in pivotal technical, financing and M&A roles in the aerospace industry’s most influential and innovative players until it was acquired in 2020
Jim’s career also includes assignments at the French Space Agency CNES, the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and has resulted in experience in over 46 satellite flight missions including the Iridium Next space telephone system, the Lightsail solar sail mission and Osiris-Rex which will return asteroid samples to the Earth. Cantrell is a world recognized technical innovator and has received numerous professional awards, is the author of twenty technical papers and has pioneered the concepts of software defined satellites, micro launch vehicles and space situational awareness sensors.
A mechanical engineer by profession, Cantrell also actively participates in road racing and has participated numerous times in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, the 24 Hours of Daytona Classic, SCCA championships in GT-1 and the World Racing League endurance racing championships He is also a known expert and author on the Maserati automotive marquee
He currently resides in Tucson with his wife Angela and his many children
Kathleen ‘KJ’ Jolivette is the vice president and general manager of Vertical Lift for Boeing Defense, Space & Security In this role, she is responsible for a portfolio of rotorcraft capabilities and aircraft that includes the AH-6 Little Bird, AH-64 Apache, H-47 Chinook, MH-139 Grey Wolf, V-22 Osprey and future vertical lift solutions Jolivette is responsible for program execution, customer satisfaction and business growth, overseeing operations and a staff of over 9,000 in Arizona and Pennsylvania, while serving and supporting customers in the United States and more than 20 countries
Following eight years of service in the supply field with the U S Army, stationed in both Germany and St. Louis, KJ joined Boeing in 2002 as an intern, and her career has since soared through positions of increasing responsibility within Finance, Global Services, Investor Relations, Supplier Management, International Business Development and Program Management.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Lindenwood University, an executive MBA from Washington University in St Louis and is a member of the Army Aviation Association of America, the Association of the United States Army and the Vertical Flight Society.
KJ grew up on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and is a proud member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Throughout her Boeing career, she’s worked to expose more Native American students to professional opportunities, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math by working with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, an organization dedicated to expanding Native American students’ access to careers in STEM, and was named its 2020 Professional of the Year. Jolivette also partners with the Native American Heritage Association and the Boeing Employees Indigenous Network, Women Inspiring Leadership and Veteran Engagement business resource groups.
Recently, KJ was named one as one of the 2024 Most Influential Women in Arizona by Arizona Business Magazine
Presented to an individual who contributes to Arizona’s technology industry through sustained growth of their business or company. Any individual in a leadership position employed by an Arizona-based business, or division of a corporation operating in Arizona may be nominated for this award. Leadership qualities such as entrepreneurship, community involvement and management expertise will be considered. Award is limited to individuals residing in Arizona five years or more.
Presented to a company or business unit in a technology industry that has achieved significant business success, and technical innovation or scientific achievement in the past calendar year and meets the following requirements:
Must be actively selling or developing a commercially available product or service for less than 24 months.
Must be generating revenue and/or receiving funding
Must demonstrate technological innovation or innovation involving technology and potential commercial viability
Company or business unit must be based in Arizona. Innovation must be developed in Arizona.
Must have a management structure of one or more persons. Profitability is not a requirement.
Presented to a company or business unit in a technology industry that has achieved significant business success (including profitability), and technical innovation or scientific achievement in the past calendar year and meets the following requirements:
Must be in operation for 24 months or more
Must be generating less than $50 million in annual revenues
Company or business unit must be based in Arizona
Innovation must be technological in nature or involve technology
Innovation must be developed in Arizona
Innovation may have been in previous years
Presented to a company or business unit in a technology industry (no limit on the duration of the project) that has achieved significant business success (including profitability), and technical innovation or scientific achievement in the past calendar year and meets the following requirements:
Must be in operation for 24 months or more.
Must be generating $50 million or more in annual revenues.
Company or business unit must be based in Arizona
Innovation must be technological in nature or involve technology.
Innovation must be developed in Arizona
Innovation may have been in previous years.
Presented to a department or office within an accredited higher education institution that has achieved success through innovation in the past calendar year and meets the following requirements:
Each department or office may submit one project for consideration
Has achieved success through research and development.
Must demonstrate technical innovation or scientific achievement, and potential commercial viability.
Institution must be based in Arizona
Open to both college students and faculty.
Has contributed to economic development within Arizona through teaching, research or other academic pursuits.
The MSS Business Transformation Award is presented to an executive or an organization (profit or not-for-profit) that has achieved significant business success driving positive, transformational change in their organization with measurable outcomes in 2021 and meets the following requirements:
The organization must be in operation for 3 years or more.
Must be generating $25 million or more in annual revenues
Company must have its headquarters and/or significant operations in Arizona. Transformation may have started in previous years and achieved measurable outcomes in 2021.
The leader achieved success by demonstrating the traits and character of a transformational leadership.
The Arizona Technology Council and Arizona Commerce Authority would like to show appreciation to all the people who contributed to the success of this great event. We thank you for your time, your effort and your commitment to Arizona’s technology community Moreover, a special thanks to all the volunteers:
Keith Latchaw, MSS Business Transformation Advisory
Doug Hockstad, Tech Launch Arizona, The University of Arizona
Eric Miller, PADT, Inc.
Jeff Koenig, Desert Angels
Darryle Emerson, Director, Programs + Events
Angelica Espinoza, Bookkeeper
Leslie Marquez, Director, Marketing + Communications
Karla B. Morales, Vice President, Southern Arizona Regional Office
Jamie Neilson, Director of Operations, Southern Arizona Regional Office
Don Rodriguez, Editor
Ron Schott, Executive Emeritus, Phoenix
Diana White, Chief of Staff
Victor White, Administrative Assistant
Deborah Zack, Vice President, Membership Services
Steven G. Zylstra, President + CEO
The Council would like to recognize and thank the Arizona Council of Engineering and Scientific Associations (ACESA) for their participation in selecting the Future Innovators and Teacher of the Year Award winners and honorable mentions
MARKETING, PR + GRAPHICS
Leslie Marquez, Director, Marketing + Communications
Alec Robertson, Brodeur Partners
Don Rodriguez, Editor
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Tammy Schultz, Avnet, Video Services
Misty Wilson, Editor, Quantum Leap Productions
EVENT PRODUCTION
James Coudright and the team at Phoenix Technology Audio Visual
2024 Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
AWARD SPONSORS
AV SPONSOR
VIDEO SPONSOR
AWARDS COURTESY OF
SPIRIT OF TECHNOLOGY SPONSORS
ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE | ILLUME GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY