Innovators & Leaders in the Science & Technology Community Celebrated at the Arizona Technology Council’s 2018 Governor’s...
November 08 2018 - 10:00PM
Business Wire
Sandra Watson, president and CEO, Arizona
Commerce Authority, Wins Prestigious Chairman’s Award
The Arizona Technology Council, in conjunction with the Arizona
Commerce Authority, today announced the winners of the 2018
Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) Awards. Leaders and
innovators in Arizona’s booming technology community were
celebrated at a prestigious gala attended by the top companies and
influencers in the state.
“As our economy continues to boom, innovation becomes more
important than ever,” said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of
the Arizona Technology Council. “It is essential that we celebrate
the creative spirit of Arizona by recognizing and honoring the
state’s technology leaders and up-and-comers. We congratulate all
the winners and extend our thanks for their part in advancing
Arizona as a top-tier technology state.”
The winners in their respective categories are:
Company Award Winners
- Innovator of the Year – Start-Up
Company: BlackBar Engineering, Tucson, AZ
- Innovator of the Year – Small Company:
CampusLogic, Chandler, AZ
- Innovator of the Year – Large Company:
Benchmark, Phoenix, AZ
- Innovator of the Year – Academia: Dr.
Laurence Hurley, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Chairman’s Award
Selected at the discretion of the Arizona Technology Council’s
leadership, the Chairman’s Award was presented to Sandra Watson,
president and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. Watson brings more
than 20 years of economic development leadership experience to
Arizona. She and her teams have successfully attracted to Arizona
more than 750 companies that have committed to invest nearly $10
billion in capital and create more than 125,000 jobs. Watson is a
collaborative leader who excels in strategic thinking and
relationship building. She worked tirelessly to implement the new
vision for the Arizona Commerce Authority, providing invaluable
leadership and stability during its transition from the Department
of Commerce into one of the nation’s first public-private
partnerships focused on economic development.
Previously announced winners that were also honored at the event
include:
Individual/Company Award Winners
- AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement
Award: Jim Armstrong, managing partner, Canal Partners
- Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year:
Heidi Jannenga, WebPT, Phoenix, AZ
- Judges Award: Al Maag,
MaagCommPlus
Previously announced “Future Innovators” and “Teacher of the
Year” award winners can be found here.
Previously announced Tech Champions Legislators can be found
here.
“The companies and individuals honored tonight represent some of
the best and brightest minds in Arizona, and we are fortunate to
have them in our state," said Sandra Watson. “Their accomplishments
demonstrate why Arizona is consistently recognized as a top market
for quality of talent and leadership in innovation. Congratulations
to each of the 2018 awardees!"
Winners and finalists were evaluated and chosen by a selection
committee of experts independent of the Council that included:
- Islamshah Amlani, Honeywell
Aerospace
- James Goulka, Arizona Tech
Investors
- Dave Higgins, Benchmark
Electronics
- Doug Hockstad, Tech Launch Arizona
- Eric Miller, PADT
- Mary O'Reilly, Ph.D., Flinn
Foundation
- Chuck Vermillion, AccountabilIT
About the Arizona Technology Council
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 become a member or to learn more about the Arizona
Technology Council, please visit http://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 and follow the ACA on Twitter at
@azcommerce.
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Media contact:TechTHiNQAlec
Robertsonalec.robertson@techthinq.com(585)
281-6399orOrganization contact:Arizona Technology
CouncilSteven G. Zylstraszylstra@aztechcouncil.org(602)
422-9447