NEXT NEXT GENERATION
FORTY UNDER FORTY
TECHNOLOGY
Eric Marcus, 33
CEO Marcus Networking marcusnt.com Since founding the company in 2002 using start-up capital that he had saved from working at his previous IT job, Marcus has grown to serve clients in Arizona, California and Nevada. Marcus’ expertise in helping doctors and behaviorial health experts convert to electronic medical records — which has been mandated by the federal government — has helped his company explode.
Scott Salkin, 35
Founder and CEO IDS Technology Marketing idstm.com With no outside funding in 2007, Salkin launched IDS and has grown it into a multi-million dollar marketing firm focused on business-to-business technology companies. Salkin was the organizing chair for the Arizona Technology Council’s StartupConnect AZ Conference, the state’s first ever conference focused on connecting and showcasing the state’s growing start-up, corporate and funding ecosystem.
Mark Sholin, 26
Founder and CEO Arbsource arbsource.us
Sholin founded the wastewater treatment biotechnology company in 2011, licensing technology from ASU. He was a PhD student and graduate research associate at ASU, helping develop precursors to the latest Arbcell product concept, until leaving in late 2011 to build Arbsource full time. He earned a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arizona in 2010.
22 AB | January-February 2014
DANA BERCHMAN: “Technology is changing the way we engage with our residents in many new and innovative ways, including through the use of social media and mobile applications.”
Living the digital dream Berchman helps position Gilbert as a leader in technology By MICHAEL GOSSIE // Photo by LILLIAN REID
G
ilbert was once known as the “Hay Shipping Capital of the World.” Dana Berchman is on a mission to bury that branding. “When our town manager, Patrick Banger, arrived in Gilbert from St. Louis two years ago, he laid out an aggressive plan to position Gilbert as a leader in technology and digital government,” says Berchman, who was named Gilbert’s first chief digital officer in April 2012. “With the creation of my position and our department, we are setting a standard that is not often seen in municipal government.” Berchman went to work immediately. “We implemented a brand for our department, ‘Gilbert Digital,’ and I created unique positions, including digital journalists and a digital applications specialist,” says Berchman, a graduate of Gilbert High School and ASU. She helped create a Social Media Advisory Research Taskforce to bring together the town and local businesses to share social media strategies. Her team wrote, shot and produced the first Digital State of the Town, a 20-minute documentary that highlighted Gilbert’s accomplishments.
She partnered with ASU and Intel to create a mobile application competition for students to encourage science and technology in high schools. Berchman’s vision has reaped rewards for the town. It earned a 3CMA (City-County Communications and Marketing Association) award for its Digital State of the Town and a Digital Government Achievement Award for its SPARK Mobile App League. “During the first six months I held this position, we developed and unveiled a Digital Roadmap, laying the foundation for the future of the department and outlining my vision to help establish us as leaders in digital government,” Berchman says. “One year later, we are leveraging digital tools and connecting with our residents like never before. Through our innovative use of technology, my goal is to continue to embrace new technology and engage with our residents through sleek web design, mobile applications, digital media and high-quality video production to showcase all NEXT that Gilbert has to offer to the world.” NEXT Dana Berchman, 34 Chief digital officer Town of Gilbert gilbertaz.gov
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