Arizona Technology Council | 2021 Annual Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 Letter from the President + CEO

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06 Introduction + Overview

20 Recent Initiatives + Partnerships

09 Strategic Plan

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401(k) Multiple Employer Plan

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Public Policy + Advocacy

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Premium Health Care

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Arizona Technology Industry Impact Report

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Signature Events: Ongoing Events

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AZ TechBase

Tech Employment

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Signature Events: Annual Conferences + Expos

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STEM Programs

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Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Award Winners

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By the Numbers

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Marketing + Communications

48 AZ Tech Council + SciTech Institute Teams

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Standing + Functional Committees

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Premier Sponsors

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Peer Groups

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Platinum + Visionary Sponsors

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Council Members

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT + CEO Could there have been a better way to tell the world about the resurgence of Arizona at a time of need?

The importance of the semiconductor in our lives never became clearer than when many turned to their devices to stay connected with the office, family, friends and even entertainment as the pandemic kept people home. Add to this scenario the discovery that chips also were critical to our vehicles when we dared venture out and crucial to automakers who couldn’t get their hands on enough of them.

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The spotlight shifted to our state in 2021 when we stepped forward to help meet the demand. Intel broke ground on two semiconductor fabs at its Ocotillo campus in Chandler. By 2025, the chipmaker expects its $20 billion investment to be online. And in north Phoenix, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company also began construction on a $12 billion manufacturing facility in Arizona, with production targeted to begin in 2024.

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While those headline-grabbing developments would seem to be enough, members of the Arizona Technology Council — Intel is one — were making news on different fronts. For example, awards presented at the Council’s 2021 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation recognized a number of individuals and companies doing amazing things. And I’m not just talking about established giants. For example, EnPower, a Phoenix company making high-density lithium-ion batteries, was named Innovator of the Year, Startup Company, while Qwick, a Phoenix-based startup that makes a platform for on-demand staffing, won the Judge’s Award. Separately, Tucson-based Marcus Engineering, an innovative contract developer of medical devices, aerospace products and mining technology, was recognized as a 2021 Small Business of the Year by Pima County.

Even as the world dealt with the outbreak of COVID-19 and its variants, these companies and others like them persevered. They let it be known that Arizona is indeed open for business. And they are a reason that the Council exists: to support members and the rest of the technology industry, as well as their dreams of success. I would be remiss unless I shared that the Council also persevered even in the most extreme circumstances ever imagined by the entire business community.

In 2021 we continued our campaign for companies to know that we have a talent pool that continues to evolve. That is why the Council, in collaboration with Pipeline AZ and the Partnership for Economic Innovation, launched the Arizona IT/Cyber Career Network, a scalable, online platform that connects employers with technology talent in the state’s IT and cybersecurity sector.

As part of an $8 million ASU-led U.S. Department of Labor grant, the Council also joined a collaborative of community partners to establish the Arizona Workforce Training Accelerator Partnership for Next Generation Jobs (AZNext). The workforce development partnership will enhance regional competitiveness, helping to address workforce shortages and train workers for high-paying, high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and information technology.

Perhaps the icing on the cake is for the Council also to be cited in 2021 for our efforts. One example is being named a winner of the prestigious 2021 IMPACT Business of the Year and Exceptional Innovator Award in the Small to Medium Business Category from the Greater Phoenix Chamber in recognition of our continuous efforts to embody the spirit of entrepreneurialism and innovation in Arizona.

The Council was selected for making an impact on the state’s technology industry by fostering a climate of innovation, creativity and community.

One way this is achieved is through our quarterly AZ Technology Industry Impact Report, which reveals key insights into the state’s growth and trends in the technology industry. The Council also offers its AZTechBase, an online platform that integrates key data from the Impact Report, and provides a comprehensive listing of companies, people and investors in Arizona’s technology sector.

Also in 2021, the Council was named a winner in the Public Policy Advocacy category of awards presented by TECNA, which represents approximately 60 technology associations across the United States and Canada. The industry group hosts the awards each year to recognize and honor technology council staff and teams who are integral to developing and implementing innovative and impactful work on behalf of a tech association.

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• Lobbied successfully for a 10-year extension of the Angel Investment Tax Credit

• Worked with The Western Way to advocate for clean-energy policies as Arizona plans for economic recovery and published a report on the topic

• Produced the Council’s 2020 VoteTech Smart Guide and 2021 Public Policy Guide

• Continued to manage and promote the Arizona Technology Council Political Action Committee, including the creation of a new web presence While I’m proud of the Council’s team, I’m humbled by being selected as a 2021 Leader of the Year in the Technology category by the Arizona Capitol Times. As the leader of the Council, I remain committed to creating a statewide technology-friendly ecosystem while working diligently at the state and national levels to advocate for policies that support the industry.

The year also brought some additional wins for our members. We launched a partnership with FairHire called InclusionAZ that implores tech employers to provide fair hiring opportunities that attract diverse talent from across Arizona and beyond. The Council also announced a partnership with The Influence Board to foster more automated and relevant collaboration among members while raising important funding for a variety of worthy causes.

It seems 2021 was the year that we in Arizona rose above the doomsayers to believe in our shared future, as well as ourselves, to get the job done.

While the word “resurgence” does capture our journey, some people still might think it was actually business as usual. Whatever you call it, the Council was glad to be part of it.

Steven G. Zylstra, Sc.D. (Hon.) President + CEO Arizona Technology Council + SciTech Institute

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The Council accomplished a great deal to receive the acknowledgment:

INTRODUCTION + OVERVIEW As Arizona’s premier networking and trade association for science and technology companies, the Arizona Technology Council is the driving force behind making the Grand Canyon State the fastest-growing technology hub in the nation, connecting and empowering Arizona’s community of innovation.

More than 800 of Arizona’s most cutting-edge technology companies are members of the Council, ranging in size from early-stage startups to larger corporations that are household names. To support their growth, the Council hosts approximately 150 virtual and in-person events, educational forums and conferences annually that convene industry movers and shakers. Beyond that, member companies have access to a variety of member perks like an association health care plan, a multipleemployer 401(k) plan, discounted tuition for degree programs at certain in-state educational institutions and much more.

Finally, the Council works towards eliminating impediments that technology companies face and furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, advocacy and social action. A primary priority is advocating for a technology-based, progrowth and business-focused agenda at the federal, state and local levels.

In the year to come, the Council will be supporting legislative action that supports creating an equitable statewide STEM ecosystem, advancing clean energy initiatives, funding education and a variety of other pressing issues that are critical for Arizona’s economic growth and development.

With the support of our members, sponsors and partners, the Council is a trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry and accelerating the innovation mindset already present in our rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem.

PURPOSE The Council’s purpose is to foster a climate of creativity, innovation and community for our members to enhance technology and the lives of people in Arizona.

VALUES Exhibit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

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Lead on the edge

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We have your back

VISION The Arizona Technology Council is the largest technology council in the United States.

The Council is the first point of contact for all Arizona technology companies looking to solve problems out-of-house.

Work together

We proactively identify and enhance capabilities and eliminate impediments that Arizona technology companies face.

Get the right things done

Together, we are creating the destination for technology companies to be, to thrive and to stay.

Be a trusted resource

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We promote, advocate, educate, inform and connect our members and their enterprises.

History The Council was created in 2002 after the Arizona High Technology Industry Cluster merged with the Arizona Software and Internet Association. In 2008, the Council added an office in Tucson after consolidating the Aerospace, Manufacturing and Information Technology (AMIT) clusters of Southern Arizona into the Council. In 2016, the Arizona Optics Industry Association merged with the Council to become the Optics Valley Committee.

Leadership The Council is governed by a board of directors led by Board Chair Eric Miller, principal of Phoenix Analysis & Design Technologies, Inc. (PADT). Steven G. Zylstra serves as president + CEO of the Council and is responsible for its day-to-day operations and management.

Objective The Council supports technology companies at all stages of growth and development—from startups to rapidly growing mid-sized companies to large global enterprises. We strive to improve Arizona’s competitiveness and visibility by advancing the development of the state’s technology community.

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MISSION

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STRATEGIC PLAN Evolving the Council’s Value Proposition To continuously review and test its value proposition, the Arizona Technology Council conducts intentional strategic planning with its board members and staff every three years. Most recently, the Council’s board and staff convened in November 2021 to intentionally add Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to our values, revisit the Council’s business plan, identify opportunities for improvement and map out priorities for the upcoming three years.

The Council enlisted Doug Reid, founder of Douglas Reid – Thinking Partners, and Tom Wesner, Certified EOS Implementer® at EOS Worldwide, to lead the board and staff through a variety of interactive activities.

Throughout the course of the brainstorming sessions, the group completed a thorough audit of the organization’s mission and vision and the value provided to member companies.

Through these discussions, the group identified three key opportunity areas that the board and staff can improve upon through collaboration. These areas then were converted into three strategic pathways that the Council will focus on in the years ahead:

Pathway #1: How might the Council better describe its value and deliver that value to its member companies?

Leads: Eric Miller of PADT and Calline Sanchez of IBM • How might we increase community awareness and recognition of the Council?

• How might we increase membership by 50% to increase collaborative value and impact?

• How might we help members better understand how the Council can help their companies?

Pathway #2: How might we better attract young and diverse professionals?

Lead: Christine Boles of Intel • How might we be more active and visible among college students and young adults?

• How might we better understand and offer what young professionals are looking for?

• How might we increase membership among younger companies and professionals?

Pathway #3: How might we create value-added human connections?

Leads: Sheila Kloefkorn of KEO Marketing and Rick Stoddard of Encora • How might we create a space for technology companies to discuss common challenges?

• How might we drive more collaboration between members and key stakeholders?

• How might we choose event topics to maximize interest among our member companies?

Each pathway is led by volunteer board members who will follow the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to accomplish identified tasks within 90-day sprints. The EOS method combines two different personality types to advance each pathway’s aims: the Visionary and the Integrator.

The Visionary (volunteer board member), is skilled at seeing the big picture, thinking strategically and ideating next steps. On the other hand, the Integrator (Council staff) serves as the project manager who is taskoriented, pays attention to the details and keeps track of deliverables.

Together, these teams will move the needle on advancing the Council’s value add to member companies, diversifying the companies that are attracted and served and ensuring high-quality interactions for the Council’s member community.

PUBLIC POLICY + ADVOCACY Legislative Priorities The Arizona Technology Council is dedicated to continuously monitoring federal, state and local legislation that can impact the sustainability and growth of Arizona’s technology ecosystem.

Through the collective strength of its members, the Council informs and educates policymakers on issues important to Arizona’s technology sectors.

From the U.S. Congress and the Office of the Governor to legislative committee rooms and city halls across the state, the Council serves as the voice calling for a technology-based, progrowth and business-focused agenda.

In 2021, the Council, its Public Policy Committee and government relations firm Public Policy Partners (P3) relied heavily on the Council’s mission by preparing key ideas, goals and legislative initiatives to: • Improve the business climate for technologybased companies

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• Provide sources of risk capital that encourage entrepreneurship, with a focus on minority entrepreneurship

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• Create an environment that supports scienceand technology-related job retention and creation • Attract, train, retrain and retain the talent required to compete in a global innovation economy • Help ensure technology businesses can recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, then thrive 2021 legislative priorities focused on: • Reauthorizing and extending the Angel Investment Tax Credit program for another 10 years • Looking for opportunities to cultivate a diverse and equitable statewide Arizona science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) ecosystem ○ Focusing on long-term, shared, sustainable and flexible STEM missions that bridge, integrate and strengthen the learning opportunities offered by organizations across sectors instead of isolated, independent entities

○ Expanding STEM business and education opportunities throughout rural and urban Arizona communities to fuel a strong, diverse talent pipeline prepared to meet the state’s anticipated growth • Consistently, equitably and sustainably funding the state’s P-20 education system – including pre-K, K-12 and career and technical education districts (CTED) – and ensuring equitable access to dual enrollment and postsecondary programs ○ Supporting a funding formula that addresses the achievement gap for students in lower socio-economic areas and ensures access to the proper infrastructure for supporting distance learning models • Supporting policies directed at helping the business community, especially small businesses, recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for the post-pandemic working environment Angel Investment Tax Credit The extension of the Small Business Capital Investment Incentive, which is commonly referred to as the Angel Investment Tax Credit, was the Council’s top priority since it was set to expire on June 30, 2021. The extension was included with other tax provisions within SB 1124 – Contribution in Aid of Construction; Extension of Angel (Sen. David Gowan). The Angel Investment Tax Credit program has been

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• Leveraging renewable energy technologies to attract economic investment

SB 1124 – Contribution in Aid of Construction; Extension of Angel: In addition to including provisions regarding the low-income housing tax credit and an increase of the transaction privilege tax revenue for the Diné College, this bill extends the deadline for the Arizona Commerce Authority to authorize tax credits for capital investment in a qualified small business for 10 years. From July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2031, the Authority is authorized to certify additional tax credits not exceeding $2.5 million each fiscal year plus any unused credit capacity that carries over from the preceding fiscal year(s). The income tax credit for investment in qualified small business is extended 10 years through tax year 2034. (Primary

• Creating and maintaining a robust transportation electrification market and electric vehicle charging infrastructure

sponsor: Sen. Gowan)

Clean Energy The Council continued its advocacy for clean and renewable energy in 2021. As the state grows its national leadership in becoming a major tech hub, it’s important for Arizona to embrace clean energy technologies with a lower environmental impact, provide energy security for existing businesses and technology startups, increase energy independence and help drive economic development. The Council continued to recommend ways to develop the state’s energy policy for the future, including: • Diversifying the state’s energy supply • Taking advantage of low-cost natural gas resources • Utilizing low-cost nuclear energy from the Palo Verde Generating Station

• Supporting policies that encourage energy efficiency

• Supporting transmission development and construction • Adopting a more regional approach to energy planning • Exploring storage technology • Creating a forward-looking regulatory environment • Developing innovative solutions to water challenges Additionally, the Council and key member stakeholders collaborated to encourage the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to pass the clean Energy Rules that would expand the local clean energy economy and create tens of thousands of new jobs. The ACC initially approved the clean Energy Rules in 2020 but became the target of multiple bills being introduced to strip the ACC of its ability to set policy. The Council and P3 actively engaged in opposing this legislation and successfully killed three of the four most harmful bills (HB 2248, SB 1175 and HB 2737), allowing the ACC to retain its duties.

After a misleading report commissioned by the ACC highly overstated the projected ratepayer costs for utilities to increase their clean electricity resources in the coming years, the Council partnered with sustainability nonprofit Ceres and national consultancy Energy Futures Group to

commission a more accurate and transparent technical memo. Despite the ACC’s decision in early 2022 to not pass the clean Energy Rules, several important directives have since been approved within the ACC’s vote to modify and acknowledge the integrated resource plans of Arizona Public Service Company (APS), Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and UNS Electric, Inc.(UNSE).

Education / Workforce Development Sustainably funding the state’s P-20 education system, dual enrollment and postsecondary programs were some of the Council’s other top legislative priorities in 2021. The Council and P3 actively supported the below bills that passed: HB 2024 – CTEDs; Internships; Funding: A student enrolled in an internship course as part of a CTED program is no longer excluded from the student count of the CTED for that course for the purposes of school funding statutes. (Primary sponsor: Rep. Michelle Udall)

HB 2124 – Average Daily Membership: This bill permits students in an approved CTED centralized program, including one provided by a satellite campus or a leased centralized program, to generate an average daily membership (ADM) up to 0.25 for 150 hours of instruction received at any time of the day between July 1 and June 30 of each fiscal year. The ADM for a student who is enrolled in a career technical education course or program provided by a community college is 0.25 for the accumulation of every three community college credits for which a student is enrolled in career technical education courses. (Primary sponsor: Sen. Thomas Shope)

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instrumental in growing Arizona into one of the nation’s technology hubs by supporting the state’s startup community. Gov. Doug Ducey signed this bill into law on July 9, 2021.

Legislative Priorities Cont.

Additional legislation actively supported by the Council and P3 in 2021 and signed by the governor included: SB 1377 – Civil Liability; Public Health Pandemic: This bill states that if the governor declares a state of emergency for a public health pandemic, a person or “provider” that acts in good faith to protect a person or the public from injury from the pandemic is not liable for damages in any civil action for any injury, death or loss to person or property that is based on a claim that the person or provider failed to protect the person or the public from the effects of the pandemic unless it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the person or provider failed to act or acted with willful misconduct or gross negligence. A person or provider is presumed to have acted in good faith if the person or provider adopted and implemented reasonable policies related to the pandemic. (Primary sponsor: Sen.

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Vince Leach)

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HB 2321 – Qualified Facilities: This bill states that the amount of the income tax credit for “qualified investments” in a “qualified facility” is increased to $300,000 for each net new fulltime employment position that has job duties associated with the qualified facility if the total qualifying investment is $2 billion or more. The maximum aggregate amount of income tax credits for qualified investments in a qualified facility that the Arizona Commerce Authority is allowed to pre-approve is increased to $125 million, from $70 million. The definition of “qualified manufacturing” is expanded to include manufacturing tangible products in Arizona if at least 65 percent of the product is directly sold

to one or more qualified facilities, regardless of whether the qualified facilities are pre-approved by the Authority. The distribution of revenues to counties and municipalities to fund public infrastructure improvements for the benefit of a manufacturing facility is extended 10 years through Sept. 30, 2033. (Primary sponsor: Rep. Ben Toma)

HB 2813 – Autonomous Vehicles: This bill establishes a new chapter in Title 28 (Transportation) regulating autonomous vehicles.

Except as otherwise provided, the operation of autonomous vehicles with or without a human driver is subject to all applicable federal and state laws. A person is allowed to operate an autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged on public roads in Arizona with a licensed human driver who can resume part or all of the dynamic driving task or respond to a request to intervene. A fully autonomous vehicle is authorized to operate on public roads without a human driver only if a person submits both a law enforcement interaction plan to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) that is consistent with and addresses all of the elements in the law enforcement protocol that was issued by DPS in 2018, and a written statement to ADOT acknowledging that a list of specified requirements for the equipment and functioning of the fully autonomous vehicle are met. (Primary sponsor: Rep. Jeff Weninger)

HB 2036 – Electric Cooperatives; Broadband Service; Fees: This bill states that any pole attachment agreement between an electric cooperative nonprofit membership corporation

and an affiliate for broadband service that includes attachment to the cooperative’s poles must specifically require the pole attachment fees charged to any unaffiliated “video service provider” or “telecommunications provider” to be equal to the pole attachment fees charged to the affiliate where the affiliate and provider are jointly attached to the same pole. (Primary sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin)

HB 2596 – ADOT; Telecommunication Facilities Installation: The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) or a “provider” with permission from ADOT is authorized to install “telecommunication facilities” and requirements for the installation process are established. If ADOT expands the use of an existing easement or other property right and the expanded use reduces the fair market value of the property over which the easement or other property right runs, the property owner is entitled to just compensation from ADOT or the provider.

It also establishes a process for assessing the diminution in value and notice requirements for excavation to install fiber optic cable or other underground telecommunication facilities within an existing easement or other property right.

ADOT is authorized to enter into an agreement with a public or private entity for the purpose of using, managing or operating state-owned telecommunication facilities and coordinating activities in Arizona relating to planning, mapping and procuring broadband service. ADOT is permitted to give a provider “longitudinal access” (defined) to the right-of-way of a highway for the installation, operation and maintenance of a telecommunication facility by entering into an agreement with a provider and issuing

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Representatives by Dec. 31, 2021, and by Dec. 31, 2022. The Committee self-repeals Oct. 1, 2023.

(Primary Sponsor: Rep. Regina Cobb)

HB 2545 – Contractor License Numbers; Advertising; Exception: This bill requires a contractor’s license number to be placed on all broadcast, internet or billboard advertising unless the advertising includes a website’s uniform resource locator that directly links to a website that prominently displays the licensee’s name and license number. (Primary sponsor: Rep. Justin Wilmeth)

HB 2454 – Telehealth; Health Care Providers; Requirements: This bill modifies the requirements for health and disability insurers to cover telehealth services. Insurers are required to reimburse health care providers at the same level of payment for equivalent services whether provided through telehealth using an audio-visual format or in-person care. This bill does not apply to a telehealth encounter provided through a platform sponsored or provided by the insurer.

Insurers cannot require a health care provider to use a telehealth platform sponsored or provided by the insurer as a condition of network participation. The definition of “telehealth” is expanded to include the use of an audio-only telephone encounter between an insured and a health care provider if specified conditions are met. Finally, it establishes a 27-member Telehealth Advisory Committee on Telehealth Best Practices to review standards for telehealth best practices and relevant peer-reviewed literature, and to adopt telehealth best practice guidelines and recommendations. (Primary sponsor: Rep. Regina Cobb)

HB 2544 – Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Study Committee: This bill establishes a 19-member Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Study Committee to review data on the scope of blockchain and cryptocurrency throughout the country and solicit ideas and opinions of industry experts on legislation. The committee is required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Speaker of the House of

(Primary sponsor: Rep. Justin Wilmeth)

HB 2649 – Computer Data Centers; Tax Incentives: This bill states that the deadline for the Arizona Commerce Authority to certify new computer data centers for tax relief for computer data centers is extended 10 years to Dec. 31, 2033. The minimum investment of $100 million in new renewable energy facilities in Arizona that a taxpayer must make to qualify for the tax credit for renewable energy investment may include investments made by a third-party entity on behalf of or for the direct benefit of the taxpayer.

For taxpayers using investments made by thirdparty entities on behalf of or for the direct benefit of the taxpayer, the investment threshold is $1.5 billion instead of $1.25 billion. (Primary sponsor: Rep. Ben Toma)

HB 2667 – County Free Library District: This bill states that the boards of directors of county free library districts are authorized to make information, technology and resources available to library patrons; provide a place for studying, researching, reading and learning; provide educational and informational programs for all age groups; and provide literacy promotion programs for all age groups. (Primary sponsor: Rep. Joel John)

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a permit. ADOT must require compensation from a provider for longitudinal access, and requirements for the compensation are listed.

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY IMPACT REPORT Quarterly Insights on AZ’s Technology Sector Released quarterly, the Arizona Technology Council’s Arizona Technology Industry Impact Report keeps its constituents informed on the progress of Arizona’s technology community and puts a face to the industry’s success stories.

On the Council’s behalf, the quarterly report is compiled by eImpact, an organization that creates web-based, data-reporting solutions designed to help cities, industries and planners drive effective policy, create new growth and engage stakeholders. The report is based on eImpact’s analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Brookings Institution, CompTIA, AngelList, National Science Board and others.

Significant data points for 2021 include: • More than 206,000 technology jobs in Arizona (up 2.64% since the end of 2020)

• A rise in technology wages to nearly $24 billion (up 2.96% since the end of 2020)

• Arizona hosts over 10,200 technology companies (up 5.43% since the end of 2020)

• Arizona leads in three major tech industries: ○ Satellite telecommunications ○ Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing ○ Aerospace product and parts manufacturing In 2021, the report’s dashboard was supplemented again by stories of the people behind the numbers. They were created by Molly Castelazo, founder and chief content strategist of Castelazo Content, and featured the employers and employees, the innovators and investors—the people—who make the technology industry in Arizona flourish.

The report features video interviews with technology leaders across Arizona’s major technology sectors in addition to the data on the industry’s growth. Featured technology industry leaders from the edtech, fintech, software, space, and entrepreneurial and investment ecosystems share their stories regarding personal and company growth, as well as the impact the Arizona technology support system has had on their businesses. Insight, analysis and advice from the interviews are featured in the Q4-2021 report.

View or download the complete report on the Arizona Technology Council’s website.

It is important to note that the technology sector jobs data in this dashboard are sourced from Emsi, representing estimates of the trailing four quarters for the given reporting period. Emsi’s model uses the most recent four quarters of BLS data to produce these estimations, allowing us to publish data approximately six months in advance of official BLS releases.

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The report can also be found on www.aztechbase.com, a platform launched by the Council in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority to provide a comprehensive listing of companies, people and investors in the state’s technology industry.

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A Platform Connecting Technology Companies, People and Investors The Arizona Technology Council, in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, hosts AZTechBase, an online platform featuring a comprehensive listing of companies, people and investors in Arizona’s technology industry. Further elevating the state’s technology ecosystem, AZTechBase offers vital information with normalized data such as growth, employment, funding, acquisitions and people to determine trends and patterns that define the Arizona technology community.

Serving as an excellent tool highlighting the strong activity and resources in the Arizona technology ecosystem, www.AZTechBase.com provides a portal for technology leaders, businesses, investors, talent and economic development organizations to collaborate and continue moving the technology ecosystem forward.

One of the most significant challenges Arizona technology leaders have dealt with since the industry began to flourish has been quantifying the ecosystem and sharing its impact. The platform lists nearly 3,000 Arizona-based companies, which represents about a third of the state’s ecosystem. AZTechBase provides a substantial benefit to Arizona economic development organizations as they recruit companies from out of state, as well as to in-state companies searching for resources to start up or grow.

The platform plays a critical role in organizing data and industry insights gathered through the Council’s quarterly Arizona Technology Industry Impact Report to track the progress of companies, attract talent and discover and connect with new companies and people. This report provides a quarterly update on several vital datasets, including technology career wages, the number of technology jobs, venture capital, new technology companies/startups and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards.

Additionally, the platform helps support communication and interaction that has been limited by social distancing mandates in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To add your company and become a premium member at no charge, contact membership@aztechcouncil.org. Individuals, companies and organizations who want to update their profile can contact servicedesk@accountabilit.com.

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AZTECHBASE

TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYMENT Workforce Development

Policy + Advocacy

In 2021, the Arizona Technology Council remained committed to helping bridge the skilled talent gap that challenges its members across industries and disciplines. The Council continued its active support of initiatives aimed at developing and supporting a robust, aligned education and workforce development system. It also proactively advocated science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education at all levels. Such a system of support provides the foundation for a healthy Arizona technology community and innovation economy by:

The Council continued to advocate for advancing the agenda of education for a skilled workforce through its public policy and legislative action during the 2021 legislative session. Key areas of focus included:

• Expanding STEM business and education opportunities throughout rural and urban Arizona communities to fuel a strong, diverse talent pipeline prepared to meet the state’s anticipated growth

• Enabling the attraction and retention of the talent—in-state or imported—needed for Arizona to thrive as a technology hub

• Consistently, equitably and sustainably funding the state’s P-20 education system – including pre-K, K-12 and career and technical education district (CTED) – and ensuring equitable access to dual enrollment and postsecondary programs

the future

IT/Cyber Hub Advisory Council In 2021, the Council continued its work on the IT/Cyber Hub Advisory Council in collaboration with the Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), a nonprofit of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC); Pipeline AZ; and Futures, Inc. based on a platform originally developed for aiding military personnel transition into the workforce.

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• Focusing on long-term, shared, sustainable and flexible STEM missions that bridge, integrate and strengthen the learning opportunities offered by organizations across sectors instead of isolated, independent entities

• Supporting talent development through formal education from pre-K through college, informal workplace and work-like experiences and on-the-job training

• Aligning with the needs of companies for STEM workers now and in

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• Looking for opportunities to cultivate a diverse and equitable statewide Arizona STEM ecosystem

With the Council’s leadership, this initiative resulted in the launch of the IT/Cyber Career Network. As the first IT/Cyber hub, its aim is to become the primary statewide source for IT and cybersecurity talent development that integrates career awareness, labor market information, education and training pathways, resources and job opportunities for current and future job seekers, educators, counselors and training providers, as well as business, workforce and economic development professionals. The IT/Cyber Career Network Advisory Council’s ongoing efforts include leveraging, amplifying and promoting the work accomplished by local initiatives, identifying any gaps to be addressed and adding value for jobseekers.

• Supporting a funding formula that addresses the achievement gap for students in lower socio-economic areas and ensures access to the proper infrastructure for supporting distance learning models.

From a workforce development perspective, additional focus areas included: • Reducing barriers to full participation of all Arizonans in an inclusive, equitable economic recovery • Focusing on increased graduation from high school for all students, as well as credentials, certificates and degrees in high-wage, high-demand STEM jobs • Increasing participation by companies to provide work experiences, including internships and apprenticeships, for students from K-12 through higher education to develop STEM workers now and in the future • Eliminating the digital divide by increasing access to broadband and needed devices to ensure equitable opportunities for education, training and job opportunities for all

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TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYMENT CONT. Talent Attraction, Retention + Development One of the Council’s key areas of focus in workforce development in 2021 continued to be support for Arizona State University’s (ASU) Department of Labor (DOL) $2 million grant focused on developing 600 apprentices to fill information technology (IT), cyber and data roles over the next five years. Additionally, as part of a new $8 million ASU-led U.S. DOL grant, the Council joined a collaborative of community partners to establish the Arizona Workforce Training Accelerator Partnership for Next Generation Jobs (AZNext). The workforce development partnership will enhance regional competitiveness, helping to address workforce shortages and train workers for high-paying, high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and IT. The program is designed to train at least 2,000 participants, with a goal of achieving industry-recognized credentials and permanent job placement over the next four years. These two complementary and collaborative grants will help ensure Arizona employers have the talent that they need.

Cybersecurity, a pressing area of demand among employers, provided a continuing opportunity for synergy between the Council, the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation (GPCF) in the Arizona Cybersecurity Workforce Collaborative and the recently formed IT Collaborative.

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The GPCF Collaborative continues to pursue innovative work-based and work-like models to help develop talent as early as high school through its ElevateED AZ initiative, including career exploration and internships and externships for students and teachers, as well as a national apprenticeship model, Apprenti Arizona. Aprenti’s second cohort – this time for cybersecurity analysts—was developed with PayPal and launched in January 2021.

In addition, the Council continued to support Pima Community College’s business advisory meetings, the development and utilization of its new cybersecurity program and cyber range, and all its other STEM-related workforce development initiatives.

Through its partnership with the Center for the Future of Arizona’s Pathways to Prosperity Network, the Council was also able to support member company Kudelski Security in successfully managing a hybrid virtual and in-person four-year apprenticeship program with the Phoenix Coding Academy, beginning in the junior year of high school. The first two apprentices graduated in 2021 and have started studies at Arizona-based universities while continuing their apprenticeships. New apprentices began in fall 2021, for a total of seven apprentices.

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Industry + Education Alignment The Council in 2021 maintained its engagement with the Maricopa County Community College District IT/Cyber Industry Sector Collaborative, which consists of faculty members from colleges across the district. The Council also continued its membership in the Pima Community College IT/Cyber Advisory group, providing support and guidance as the college successfully launched its new cybersecurity program, including an on-site cyber warfare range.

Finally, Council President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra serves on numerous committees and boards to advocate for a robust, aligned education and workforce development system. These include the Arizona Department of Education - CTE Quality Skills Commission; ASU W.P. Carey School of Business Information Systems Advisory Board; Maricopa Community College Workforce Development Leadership and Innovation Council; University of Phoenix, College of Business and IT Advisory Council; The University of Arizona College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board; Greater Phoenix Chamber Cyber Workforce Collaborative Advisory Board and IT Workforce Collaborative Advisory Board; Grand Canyon University STEM Advisory Board; Sonoran Schools Advisory Board; and Paradise Valley School District Center for Research, Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) Advisory Board. Zylstra is also the lead for the Pipeline AZ Cyber/ IT Hub Advisory Council established in late 2020 and was an Aspen Institute Economic Opportunity Fellow for the Aspen/Center for the Future of Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy for Greater Phoenix.

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

The Council also provided extensive support in the development of ASU’s ALRISE grant proposal for the National Science Foundation’s Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) grant. In addition to supporting the grant’s proposed work in Arizona, the Council facilitated connections to other technology associations across the U.S. for participation in this grant submission. ASU’s vision for the grant is to drastically improve Latinx student retention and completion in STEM at two- and four-year Hispanic Serving Institutions and emerging HSIs. The Council will play a critical role in connecting Latinx students with industry partners to facilitate more opportunities for work-based experiences in STEM fields while also enabling organizations to diversify their employment base.

RECENT INITIATIVES + PARTNERSHIPS ALRISE As part of its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), the Arizona Technology Council was proud to announce its selection by Arizona State University (ASU) to receive a portion of a $10 million National Science Foundation Accelerate Latinx Representation in STEM Education (ALRISE) Alliance grant. ASU selected multiple technology trade associations across the country, including the Council, as grant recipients to help mobilize their in-industry membership to offer experiential work-based opportunities in STEM to Latinx students. ASU’s vision for the Alliance is to drastically improve Latinx student retention and completion in STEM at two- and four-year Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and emerging HSIs (eHSIs).

Learn more about this initiative and its key objectives here.

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

AZNext

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As part of an $8 million ASU-led U.S. Department of Labor grant, the Council joined a collaborative of community partners to establish the Arizona Workforce Training Accelerator Partnership for Next Generation Jobs (AZNext). The workforce development partnership was designed to enhance regional competitiveness, helping to address workforce shortages and train workers for high-paying, high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and information technology. Led by ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and

Sciences, and community partners including Pipeline AZ, Arizona Commerce Authority and Arizona@Work, the program is designed to train at least 2,000 participants. The goal is to achieve industry-recognized credentials and permanent job placement for participants over the next four years. Read more about the initiative here.

InclusionAZ InclusionAZ is enhancing the vibrancy of Arizona’s technology ecosystem by imploring tech employers to provide fair hiring opportunities that attract diverse talent from across Arizona and beyond. This initiative supports technology employers in adopting inclusive hiring practices using the FairHire Blind Hiring Platform that leverages scientific hiring protocols developed by the University of Bocconi Research Center in Milan, Italy.

Each job post that follows this protocol will receive a FairHire® certification. This helps technology employers hire qualified and diverse technology talent, without bias, ensuring the state’s technology ecosystem is shaped by the full breadth of residents who call Arizona home.

Learn more and book a demo with FairHire staff here.

The Influence Board The objective of the Council’s partnership with The Influence Board is to foster more automated and relevant collaboration among members while raising important funding for a variety of worthy causes. This alliance leverages The

Influence Board’s platform to provide metered access to Council members on their terms. That includes screenings to gauge relevancy, limits on the number of requests and a strong social impact element that monetizes meeting requests through donations to local organizations. This will expand the Council’s continuing work to create meaningful collaboration between executives and potential business partners while elevating corporate social responsibility.

Members can claim their profiles and learn more here.

IT/Cyber Career Network To better connect Arizona employers with technology talent in the state’s IT and cybersecurity sector, the Council launched the IT/Cyber Career Network in collaboration with Pipeline AZ and the Partnership for Economic Innovation. The IT/Cyber Career Network is designed to address Arizona’s tech-talent shortage and provides technology companies with an innovative solution to hire skilled workers who are qualified to fight cybercrime and protect data. Simultaneously, the network connects jobseekers with a comprehensive resource to start or build their technology-focused careers. The IT/Cyber Career Network is offering three tiers of access: a free option that includes basic features, a tier of service offerings designed exclusively for Council members and a premium service designed for company sponsors eager to fill their job openings. To learn more about the Arizona IT/Cyber Career Network platform, please visit here.

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The Council created an online presence for its Political Action Committee, allowing contributors to more easily support protechnology candidates and policies that promote a thriving technology ecosystem in Arizona and improve the business climate for technologybased companies. Learn more about the PAC and the Council’s legislative priorities here.

The University of Arizona Global Campus The Council partnered with The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), an accredited online university, to offer Council member companies and their immediate family members 30% tuition savings on UAGC’s programs. In addition to the tuition savings, UAGC offers Council members free required course materials for all mandatory courses and waives technology, prior learning assessment and graduation fees. To make this offering extra flexible for professionals looking to upskill, students can take as few as one class at a time and still be considered full time. They can also transfer up to 90 approved credits from an accredited college or university toward a bachelor’s degree. There is no need to take an SAT, GMAT, GRE or ACT to enroll. To learn more about this offering, visit here.

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Political Action Committee (PAC) Updates

401(K) OFFERINGS 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan with Empower Retirement The Arizona Technology Council partners with Empower Retirement (formerly MassMutual) to provide member companies a unique way to leverage the buying power of the Council by participating in a 401(k) multiple employer plan (MEP). A multiple employer plan significantly lowers the costs of a 401(k) plan, eliminates much of the administrative burden for a company and provides the most comprehensive fiduciary protection allowed by the U.S. Department of Labor. Investment committee meetings, 5500s and audits are eliminated for each adopting company, and member companies are still able to customize their plan design and the retirement benefits they offer their employees.

See the facts: • • • • • •

MEP started in 2014 11 participating employers $7.4 million in plan assets $311,000 in quarterly deferrals 153 eligible plan participants 103 active plan participants

To learn more about how this plan can help improve your employee benefits program and reduce costs, time and fiduciary responsibility, contact:

Michael J DiGrazia, CFP®, CIMA® ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Senior Institutional Consultant

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UBS Institutional Consulting Group (602) 957-5133 michael.digrazia@ubs.com

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Association Health Plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona The Arizona Technology Council understands the challenges that many startups and small businesses face. That is exactly why the Council announced the launch of its own association health plan (AHP) in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.

Since the official launch in January 2020, the Arizona Technology Council’s Employee Benefit Trust has helped 45 technology industry employers with 462 employees across the state find lower cost and richer benefits for their companies.

The growth of the Council’s association health plan in 2021 has enabled many member organizations, small businesses and startups to provide more generous overall compensation packages to their employees, a critical factor in helping technology companies attract and retain top talent.

See the facts: • The Council’s AHP achieved 100% growth in employers and 205% growth in employees in 2021.

• The health plan’s current annualized premium is $4,933,211.

• The average group size of an employer participant is 10 employees.

Advantages of the program: Technology industry employers with as few as two employees now have access to a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance and AD&D; employee assistance; and health savings account (HSA)/flexible spending account (FSA) administration. It provides members with relief from COBRA administration, bill paying, compliance filings and managing participant eligibility and benefits enrollment.

• Access: Participating companies have access to statewide networks, including Mayo Clinic, with exclusive network options in Maricopa and Pima counties.

• Choice: Participating companies can choose from a wide selection of primary care providers and specialists.

• Service: Local customer service provides care and claims support.

• Flexibility: Coverage is available for businesses with as few as two employees.

• Telehealth: Employees can visit with a doctor, counselor or psychiatrist any day, anytime, anywhere—from their smartphone, computer or tablet.

• Tools and resources: A range of resources are available to help members make educated health care decisions. Participating companies can shop and compare costs for more than 1,600 procedures, find a doctor, speak to a nurse on call 24/7, access health plan information via the mobile app and much more.

For more information on the Council’s association health plan, visit here.

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

PREMIUM HEALTH CARE

SIGNATURE EVENTS

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Ongoing Events

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after5 Tech Mixers The after5 Tech Mixer is the Arizona Technology Council’s premier networking event. Designed to bring together technologists, entrepreneurs, service providers and prospective members in a relaxed, afterwork setting, each event in the series is hosted by a Council member company and is free for members. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments are provided by the host company.

The events are typically held at technology companies, giving guests an opportunity to attend a tour or product demonstration.

Due to COVID-19, the Council in 2021 was able to plan only one inperson after5 Tech Mixer, hosted by Junior Achievement. The Council, in conjunction with PADT, Inc., transitioned to virtual after5 Tech Mixers for the remainder of 2021.

Tech Sector Speaker Series The Council’s monthly Tech Sector Speaker Series brings together technology leaders, outstanding CIOs and CTOs, advocates, innovators and industry champions of existing and emerging sectors who are reshaping Arizona’s technology ecosystem. This expert panel forum advances Arizona’s technology evolution and growing designation as a technology hub.

With a diverse range of experience and backgrounds, these technology titans are leading the way and making a positive and lasting impact on Arizona’s technology ecosystem. Topics covered in 2021 included Cyber Resiliency, Digital Transformation, Economic Development: Reimagining the Post-Pandemic Economic Future, Emerging Technology, Wearables and The Future of AI Technologies.

Virtual Breakfast Series To keep constituents, businesses, startups and innovative entrepreneurs informed during a challenging and tumultuous year, the Council continued its Virtual Breakfast Series in 2021. Experts across a wide array of industry sectors, as well as elected officials, shared their expertise and insight on timely topics, issues and opportunities. The engaging format permits time to network over breakfast, followed by an interactive discussion and ending with a Q&A session. Topics covered included: SBIR Liftoff: Things We Learned Through this Whole Pandemic, Return to Work: Challenges, Solutions and Perspectives from an Epidemiologist and Accelerating Growth Through Strategic Partnerships and AVI-SPL.

2021 RESULTS:

2021 RESULTS:

Number of events: 6

Number of Phoenix events: 1 in person, 6 virtual

Number of events: 7

Total attendance in 2021: 183

Total in-person attendance: 55

VIP Networking Events Held in conjunction with the Council’s quarterly board of directors meeting, the VIP Networking Events include attendees from the board, current members and prospective members. Due to COVID-19, the only in-person VIP Tech Mixer in 2021 was at the Phoenix law offices of Fennemore Craig in January.

2021 RESULTS: Number of in-person events: 1 Total in-person attendance: 46

Total attendance in 2021: 254

2021 RESULTS:

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Tech Inclusion Forum The Tech Inclusion Forum quarterly series focuses on highlighting the inclusion, diversity, equity and awareness (IDEA) challenges facing women and other underrepresented identities in STEM fields and showcasing the many extraordinary and accomplished professionals in Arizona’s technology ecosystem.

Chaired by Diane Smigel, president and CEO of Palladium IT Advisors, and Council liaison Deborah Zack, vice president of membership services, the committee facilitated three major events in 2021.

The topics of the three events included Strategies for Improving Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Communications; The Evolution of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to a Business Imperative; and DEI Impact on Career, Company and Culture: Fireside Chat with Four Arizona Tech Founders.

2021 RESULTS: Number of events: 3 Total attendance in 2021: 250

Women in the Workforce A female-focused event series in Southern Arizona, the Women in the Workforce committee facilitates quarterly learning and mentoring opportunities, provides career and leadership development and positions women to more effectively pursue careers in technology. In 2021, the Committee planned and executed three events (two virtual and one in-person) on various topics. Event topics included Addressing Key Factors for Self-Care, Achieving the Elusive Work-Life Balance, Wine Tasting and Education, and a panel presentation on How to Achieve Better Self-Awareness and Promotion in Male-Dominated Environments. The staff liaison was Jamie Neilson, director of operations of the Southern Arizona Regional Office.

AZTechCast Podcast AZTechCast, the Council’s podcast, is dedicated to covering innovation and technology in Arizona and beyond. Co-hosted

by Phoenix Business RadioX President and Owner Karen Nowicki and Arizona Technology Council President & CEO Steven G. Zylstra, AZTechCast’s guests share success stories, news and analysis about the region’s leading startups, companies and emerging technologies as well as the latest industry trends and critical issues propelling Arizona’s growing technology ecosystem.

Broadcasted monthly, AZTechCast features tech leaders having real conversations about what’s happening across the state.

AZTechCast episodes are available on Spreaker, Apple Podcast and Spotify.

TechFocus Member Spotlight Podcast In partnership with Tucson-based firm Michael Beach Consulting, the TechFocus Member Spotlight Podcast highlights Arizona’s growing prominence as a worldclass technology hub. Each podcast episode features innovative entrepreneurs, transformative leaders and technology titans who are reshaping the state’s evolving technology ecosystem in existing and emerging sectors. Broadcasted monthly, TechFocus is moderated

by Linda Drake, a seasoned leadership coach and business consultant with Michael Beach Consulting. Featured companies in 2021 included Phocos Americas, Encora, AGM Container Controls, Tech Parks Arizona, Symmetry, FreeFall Aerospace, Apex Systems and Snap Tech IT.

2021 RESULTS:

2021 RESULTS:

2021 RESULTS:

Number of events: 3

Number of podcasts: 12

Number of podcasts: 8

Total attendance in 2021: 182

Featured guests in 2021: 33

Number of featured guests: 8

SIGNATURE EVENTS

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Annual Conferences + Expos

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Hybrid MedTech Conference The Council’s annual MedTech Conference brings together health care innovators, influential policymakers and other health care service professionals committed to promoting and supporting the industry in an environment designed to showcase Arizona’s innovative medical technology.

The conference advances industry discussion from key perspectives through expert panel sessions, keynote speakers and product exhibits to provide opportunities in education, business development, capital formation and networking.

The 2021 theme was “Recovery Room: Leveraging Technology in a Post-Pandemic Environment.”

The event featured speakers from Banner Health, GT Medical Technologies, CRH Medical, HiMS and more.

2021 RESULTS: Total attendance in 2021: 119

Virtual Cybersecurity Summit The Council, Arizona Commerce Authority and Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance (ACTRA)/Arizona InfraGard presented the eighth annual Cybersecurity Summit virtually in 2021. This educational summit provided actionable solutions, resources, products and services geared toward helping businesses protect their intellectual property and customer data. The theme of the Cybersecurity Summit was “Strategies for Responding to the Changing Threat Environment.”

The event featured speakers from ACTRA, Freeport McMoRan, Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Grand Canyon University, IronNet and more.

2021 RESULTS: Total attendance in 2021: 102

Hybrid Aerospace, Aviation, Defense & Manufacturing Conference The Council collaborated with the Arizona Commerce Authority and Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership in 2021 to stage the state’s only Aerospace, Aviation, Defense and Manufacturing (AADM) Conference. Presenters’ topics included Accelerating Innovation in Arizona and Across the Globe; Arizona’s Growing Electric Vehicle and Battery Manufacturing Hub, Where We Are and Where We’re Going; and AZNext: Building the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce for Arizona and the Southwest. Speakers represented companies including IceMos Technology, Zero Electric Vehicles, EnPower and Nikola.

2021 RESULTS: Total attendance in 2021: 110

Arizona Photonics Days This annual three-day conference presented by the Council’s Optics Valley Committee in 2021 gathered Arizona optics companies, academia, industry scientists, the astronomy community, engineers in optics and photonics and partners from the Global Photonics Alliance for a one-of-a-kind event that provided engaging keynote speakers, technical presentations, interactive discussions, businessto-business meetings and networking. The virtual event featured 30 technical presentations, 22 company presentations and industry updates from SPIE, OSA, OIDA and APOMA. Optics Valley extends its appreciation to 2021 Gold Sponsors UA BIO5 Institute, Physik Instrumente and VIAVI Solutions, and 25 Silver and Bronze sponsors. To learn more about Optics Valley, visit here.

2021 RESULTS: Total attendance in 2021: 221

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Southern Arizona Tech + Business Expo The Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority celebrated the ninth annual Southern Arizona Tech + Business Expo in 2021 with nearly 60 exhibitors. This in-person event featured a keynote panel of experts from EnPower, TuSimple, Waymo and Nikola who presented on the future of transportation and autonomous vehicles in Arizona and across the nation. This event also featured two company innovator presentations from representatives of VIAVI Solutions (topic: High-Precision Optical Products) and eSentire (topic: Managed Detection and Response in the Cyber World).

CEO Retreat The two-day CEO Retreat in Prescott gathered technology industry visionaries, business owners, company leaders, presidents and CEOs for interactive workshops, engaging speakers, thought-provoking keynotes, panel discussions and exclusive networking. Featured speakers included Phil Gallagher, CEO of Avnet; Tom Wesner, co-founder and professional EOS implementer; Eric Miller, principal and co-owner of PADT, Inc.; and an expert panel on “How Leadership Impacts Transformation Success.” The golf tournament on the second day occurred at Prescott Golf Club and was sponsored by Ballard Spahr.

2021 RESULTS:

2021 RESULTS:

Total attendance: 325

Total attendance in 2021: 41

2021 Tech + Business Expo winners: Southern Arizona Member Organization of the Year: AGM Container Controls Southern Arizona Innovator of the Year: Jim Schwiegerling – The University of Arizona James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences Southern Arizona Manufacturer of the Year: Areté Southern Arizona Startup of the Year: Sylvan Source – The University of Arizona Center for Innovation Sustainability Award: Leonardo Electronics

Hybrid Smart City + IoT Conference The Council presented the fifth annual Smart City Summit + IoT Conference in a hybrid format in 2021. This informative and thoughtprovoking summit explored the landscape of smart city strategies, emerging best practices and challenges to implementation and the specific strategies needed to bring a smart city vision to reality.

Keynotes, panels and spotlight chats included topics of Social Impact, Digital Equity, Mobility and New Energy Innovation.

2021 RESULTS: Total attendance in 2021: 83

2021 Golf Tournaments The Council hosts annual golf tournaments in Phoenix and Tucson. In January 2021, 88 golfers registered for the Phoenix tournament at Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale. In April 2021, 136 golfers participated in the Tucson golf tournament at Arizona National Golf Club. Each event included lunch, raffle prize drawings and an awards ceremony.

2021 RESULTS: Number of events: 2 Total attendance: 224

Annual Conferences + Expos Cont.

An annual showcase of the state’s incredible leadership in science and technology, the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) is the Arizona Technology Council’s annual awards gala hosted in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority to honor top pacesetters in business, innovation, technology and government.

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

The 18th annual GCOI event in 2021 featured Gov. Doug Ducey and Christine Boles, vice president, Industrial Solutions Division, Intel. Twenty-nine awards were presented to technology companies, community leaders and students from across the state. The 2021 awards program was held at the Phoenix Convention Center.

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2021 RESULTS: Total attendance in 2021: 497

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AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award Phil Gallagher, Avnet

Tech 10 Award Winners • Sen. Sean Bowie, District 18 • Sen. Paul Boyer, District 20

MSS Business Transformation Leader of the Year Award

• Senate President Karen Fann, District 1

Howard Stewart, AGM Container Controls

• Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, District 27

Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year

• House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, District 27

Intel Corporation

• Rep. Regina Cobb, District 5

Innovator of the Year: Large Company

• Rep. Aaron Lieberman, District 28

Aligned

• House Majority Leader Ben Toma, District 22

Innovator of the Year: Startup Company EnPower, Inc. Innovator of the Year: Small Company GT Medical Technologies, Inc.

• Rep. Michelle Udall, District 25 • Rep. Justin Wilmeth, District 15 Future Innovators of the Year Award Winners • Marinna Galasso, Galasso Homeschool, Tucson

Innovator of the Year: Academia

• Arjun Gupta, Paradise Valley High School, Phoenix

Jim Schwiegerling, Ph.D., The University of Arizona

• Karah Mayer, Tanque Verde High School, Tucson

Judges Award

• Lilli Seebold & Nathan Lam, Perry High School, Gilbert

Qwick Legislative Award Winners • Senator of the Year: David Gowan, District 14 • Representative of the Year: Daniel Hernandez, District 2

• Bailey Tischer, San Tan Charter School, Gilbert • Katherine Wei, BASIS Chandler, Chandler Teacher of the Year Award Winner Jeremy Jonas, Tucson High Magnet School, Tucson

Teacher of the Year Honorable Mentions • Michelle Landreville, Paradise Valley High School - CREST Program, Phoenix • David Worth, Millennium High School, Goodyear

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

2021 GCOI AWARD WINNERS

MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS Multi-Channel Promotion of AZ’s Tech Industry + Council Members

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Public Relations

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The Arizona Technology Council partners with Phoenixbased PR, content marketing and communications strategy firm Brodeur Partners. This collaboration strengthens the Council’s brand in the media and positions the Council as the go-to source for information on Arizona’s technology industry.

Council President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra writes regular columns in the Phoenix Business Journal, AZ Business Magazine, InBusiness Phoenix Magazine and TechConnect on topics like clean and renewable energy, IoT and smart cities, broadband and 5G, STEM and artificial intelligence.

In 2021, the Council issued 26 press releases about the election of new board members, the unveiling of new member perks and benefits, quarterly technology industry impact data and much more. More than 55 stories appeared in the media as a result.

Additionally, Zylstra and the Council contributed information on hot topics in technology to multiple media outlets, including KTVK 3TV / KPHO CBS 5, ABC 15, Energy News Network, Arizona Capitol

Times, AZ Big Media, InBusiness Phoenix, Phoenix Business Journal, azcentral, The Arizona Republic and BizTucson.

2021 RESULTS Number of press releases: 26 Number of published articles: 58

Website With constant maintenance and upgrades from KEO Marketing, www.aztechcouncil.org serves as the primary resource for information about the Council and Arizona’s technology ecosystem.

Information on the website includes signature technology events, the Council’s latest news and press, an online job board and the Council’s membership directory. Upgrades in 2021 included reorganization of the home page headers for easier navigation, the creation of a Political Action Committee page to accommodate online contributions and new landing pages about partnerships with The University of Arizona Global Campus, Pipeline AZ and The Influence Board.

Year-over-year, monthly organic sessions increased 27.09% in late 2021, with a total of 3,397 organic sessions taking place in September

2021 vs. 2,673 in September 2020. Strategies targeting content optimization and search engine optimization from valued member and platinum sponsor Social SEO have improved the Council’s keyword rankings in a number of categories, including professional networking groups, information technology conferences and B2B networking events.

TechConnect showcases Arizona’s technology community through profiles, feature stories, entrepreneur spotlights and trend reports. The themes in 2021 were artificial intelligence, medtech, semiconductors and broadband.

Visit www.aztechcouncil.org/ techconnect-mag/ to read the latest issues.

2021 RESULTS

Number of issues: 4

Average monthly organic sessions: 2,229

Quarterly circulation: 40,000

Total unique pageviews: 161,966

AZ Business Magazine

TechConnect Magazine TechConnect is the only magazine that has covered Arizona’s science and technology community for almost two decades. Launched by the Arizona Technology Council in 2005, TechConnect is dedicated to covering innovation and technology in Arizona and beyond.

Produced in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, the digital e-magazine is produced quarterly and provides news about the state’s leading companies, emerging companies and their technologies and the latest industry trends and critical issues that drive Arizona’s technology ecosystem.

2021 RESULTS

Readers of AZ Business magazine receive in-depth news and analysis on Arizona’s technology community provided by Council President + CEO, Steven G. Zylstra.

Since 2012, Zylstra has authored his technology column for each issue of the bimonthly magazine, focusing on various technology sectors, notable leaders, important news, public policy and more. The articles provide highlights on the success, opportunities and growth, as well as economic and public policy pain points within Arizona’s technology industry.

2021 RESULTS Monthly circulation: 30,000

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TechTalk eNewsletter The Council’s monthly TechTalk e-newsletter is published at the end of every month. The newsletter provides featured segments on member news, the Council’s latest news and press, local technology ecosystem events, clean energy news and more.

2021 RESULTS Number of newsletters sent: 12 Monthly circulation: 19,032

TechFlash/MyView In 2021, the Council continued to contribute a monthly technology blog published by the Phoenix Business Journal. Featuring Council President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra, the blog provides insight into Arizona’s growing science and technology industry. The blog is read by 421,764 monthly unique visitors and 23,780 daily e-news subscribers.

2021 RESULTS Number of blogs: 12 Monthly circulation: 25,390

Greater Phoenix InBusiness Magazine

2021 RESULTS

LinkedIn

The Council maintains a special relationship with InMedia Company to publish a six-page editorial section three times annually in the monthly InBusiness Magazine.

Reported and written by Council Editor Don Rodriguez, with contributions from staff and Council members, the content focuses on the Council’s role and impact on the statewide technology community, public policy developments and event updates.

Facebook

2021 RESULTS

Instagram

• Company page followers at end of 2021: 7,195 • Company page followers at end of 2020: 5,752 • 25% increase in followers

• Number of followers at end of 2021: 4,337 • Number of followers at end of 2020: 4,120 • 5% increase in followers

Readers per issue: 184,500

• Number of followers at end of 2021: 1,182

Social Media

• Number of followers at end of 2020: 1,057

The Council loves to engage with its innovative members, collaborative partners and friends on social media platforms. In 2021, the Council published updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. These channels are used to communicate Council news, member updates, new members, industry trends, event promotions and the accomplishments made by the Council and its valued members.

• 12% increase in followers Twitter • Number of followers at end of 2021: 8,182 • Number of followers at end of 2020: 8,098 • 1% increase in followers

STANDING COMMITTEES • • • • •

Additive Manufacturing Committee Ambassador Committee (Phoenix) Ambassador Committee (Tucson) Cybersecurity Committee IoT + Smart City Committee

• • • • •

Law + Technology Committee MarTech Series MedTech Committee Optics Valley Committee Preferred Business Partners Committee

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Public Policy Committee Tech Inclusion Forum (Phoenix) Women in the Workforce Committee (Tucson) Workforce Development + Education Committee

Additive Manufacturing Committee

Ambassador Committee (Tucson)

The Additive Manufacturing (AM) Committee serves as a forum for participants in the AM community to educate, collaborate and promote this technology. The many aspects of using AM for engineering, manufacturing, research, education and strategies for developing an agile AM workforce are regularly featured and discussed during meetings. Additionally, this committee serves as a rallying point for large and small businesses to influence national certification and standards organizations. Promoting commercial adoption of AM technologies for Arizona businesses is also a key driver of the AM committee. The committee was co-chaired by Justin Smart, AM sales executive at Westwind and Krishna Muralidharan, associate professor at The University of Arizona. Staff liaison was Council Executive Emeritus Ron Schott. The AM Committee hosts a general session every other month.

Members of the Tucson Ambassador Committee serve as advocates for technology innovation and boosters of the Council. Meeting monthly on the second Tuesday, the Tucson Ambassador Committee was chaired

by Ana Greif, CEO, JobPath, and staffed by Jamie Neilson, director of operations for the Southern Arizona Regional Office.

Ambassador Committee (Phoenix)

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• • • •

The Phoenix Ambassador Committee is one of the longest-functioning committees of the Arizona Technology Council and its staff liaison is Deborah Zack, the Council’s vice president of membership services.

Participants are from companies of all sizes and every aspect of the technology industry. The committee’s overall goal is to provide added outreach to the Council’s membership services team by fostering peer-topeer relationships between new members and member representatives, facilitating networking opportunities and strengthening member retention.

The committee chair was Chelsea Scruggs, business development executive at Allata. After a hiatus in 2020, the committee started meeting before the live after5 Tech Mixers and VIP Networking events in 2021.

Cybersecurity Committee The Cybersecurity Committee enables members to learn about cyber threats and the means of providing protection by serving as a platform to share best practices. The committee was co-chaired by Frank J. Grimmelmann, president and CEO of Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance, Inc. (ACTRA), and Dale Bohannon, attorney with Polsinelli PC, with staff support from Council Executive Emeritus Ron Schott. The committee planned and executed its annual Cybersecurity Summit held in December.

The eighth annual event was hosted in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority and ACTRA. Valmiki Mukherjee, chairman of the Cyber Future Foundation, delivered the keynote presentation. Spotlight exchanges with key cyber experts covered topics including the Washington Outlook, Risk Management and Practical Cybersecurity Responses for Governmental Bodies and Nonprofits to Current Vulnerabilities and Threats.

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The mission of the Internet of Things (IoT) + Smart Cities Committee is to provide a platform for people to learn, collaborate, advocate and disseminate information about how IoT and smart-cities strategies can help organizations create real-time business solutions in a sensor-enabled, analytics-driven world. The committee was chaired by Chris Lucero, director of industrial IoT emerging technologies at Intel. Deborah Zack, the Council’s vice president of membership services, was the staff liaison.

In 2021, the committee held two meetings that featured speakers from across the IoT technology stack. The group also facilitated the selection of keynotes and panelists for the Council’s Smart Cities + IoT Summit, including Harry Meier, CIO at the City of Mesa, and Chris Richardson, interim CIO at the Arizona Department of Education.

Law + Technology Committee The Law + Technology Committee provides relevant information regarding the legal developments that affect member companies. The committee focuses on leading issues arising from the intersection of technology and the law, and provides a forum for practical and informative discussions designed to be of interest to technology, business and legal professionals.

The committee was chaired by Fredric Bellamy, a partner at Dickinson Wright, PLLC, and supported by Council Executive Emeritus Ron Schott. In 2021, the committee partnered with the MedTech Committee Roundtable to plan a program on legal considerations for medical device and technology providers, innovators and lawyers that will be scheduled in 2022, along with programs on new state data privacy laws and new federal laws with important implications for member companies.

MarTech Series The MarTech Series is geared towards helping professionals make the most of their marketing technology and to help companies execute their marketing and business strategy with data-driven decision-making.

Sheila Kloefkorn, president and CEO of KEO Marketing, Inc., chaired the committee. The committee met every other month to share best practices, perspectives on the multitude of business technologies and marketing tools available ranging from social media management platforms and PR tools that elevate your brand to sophisticated tools with AI and predictive analytics. Meetings have featured topics like Strategies to Scale a B2B

Marketing Program, How MarTech and Internal Communications Help Companies Thrive, How to Manage Website Security and GDPR, How to Integrate Your MarTech Stack to Empower All Stakeholders and How to Thrive in a Changing Era. Staff liaison was Bianca Buliga, director of marketing + communications.

MedTech Committee Created to bring together executive and product design teams from medical devices and software, health and bioscience, telemedicine and healthcare delivery, the MedTech Committee meets monthly to share best practices and peer-to-peer networking to accelerate individual and collective growth. Led by Chair Ellen Owens-Karcsay, owner and principal of Karcsay Consulting Group, the committee defines the theme and selects the keynote speakers and panelists for the Council’s annual MedTech Conference. In 2021, the MedTech Conference featured keynote presentations from Andrew Maynard, associate dean of Arizona State University’s College of Global Futures and Eric Miller, co-founder and principal of PADT, Inc. Expert panelists from AdviNOW Medical, Savor Health and Aptus Engineering discussed the use of augmented and virtual reality in health care, and behavioral health and tech leaders from MeditainmentVR, Credly and QC-Health shared their insight regarding the future of augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence in health care. Staff liaison was Deborah Zack, vice president of membership services.

Optics Valley Committee Since its formation in 2017, the Optics Valley Committee has provided leadership within the optics community statewide to coordinate education, promote innovation and market the region’s products and technologies.

Meeting quarterly, its members promote the advancement of optics and photonics worldwide. These enabling technologies are integral to a vast array of products ranging from cell phones to medical diagnostics. The committee’s flagship event is the annual Arizona Photonics Days: three days of technical discussions, business-to-business meetings and networking to discuss global optics and photonics issues with peers and leaders in the industry. Throughout the year, committee co-chairs John Dennis and Jack Schumann work closely with The University of Arizona’s James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, the Arizona Commerce Authority and many other community partners to showcase this important industry. Staff liaison was Karla Morales, vice president for the Southern Arizona Regional Office.

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IoT + Smart Cities Committee

STANDING COMMITTEES CONT. Preferred Business Partners Committee The Council’s Preferred Business Partners Committee was guided by Chair Jessica Loomis of Infinity Business Partners. Committee participation in 2021 garnered six member companies offering discounted services to Council members, cross collaboration and cross-selling where mutual clients exist. The goals of the committee are aimed at providing essential services required for business compliance, reducing cost, recouping time and providing peace of mind.

The 2021 committee members included: • Full-service printing capabilities by AZ Litho • E-waste recycling, disposal and destruction by R3eWaste • Human resource employee development and compliance management by jdhInsights • Incentive and tax credit analysis and filing solutions by HighPeak Advisors

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• Supporting policies directed at helping the business community, especially small businesses, recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for the post-pandemic working environment As a result, the Public Policy Committee was able to extend the Angel Investment Tax Credit for an additional 10 years, protect the policymaking responsibilities of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), promote education funding and workforce development initiatives, expand telehealth medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic and establish a blockchain and cryptocurrency study committee, among others. More information on the Council’s legislative successes can be found in the Public Policy + Advocacy section of this report.

• Commercial liability and risk management by Infinity Insurance Partners

Tech Inclusion Forum (Phoenix)

• Retirement plan and administration by UBS Financial/Slavic401k

The Tech Inclusion Forum quarterly series focuses on highlighting the inclusion, diversity, equity and awareness (IDEA) challenges facing women and minorities in STEM fields today and showcasing the many extraordinary and accomplished women in Arizona’s technology ecosystem. Led by Chair Diane Smigel, president and CEO of Palladium IT Advisors, and Council liaison Deborah Zack, vice president of membership services, the committee facilitated three major events in 2021. The March event featured Joel Martin, president of Triad West and focused on strategies for improving diversity, equity and inclusion communications. The August event featured Katee Van Horn, CEO of VH Included, for a conversation surrounding the evolution of DEI to a business imperative. And finally, the December event featured a panel of four successful women founders for an engaging discussion on the impact of DEI on their careers, companies and company cultures.

Public Policy Committee

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• Consistently, equitably and sustainably funding the state’s P-20 education system - including pre-K, K-12 and career and technical education district (CTED) and equitable access to dual enrollment and postsecondary programs

The Public Policy Committee supports the Council by advocating for technology issues at the local, state and federal levels. The committee works with Public Policy Partners (P3) to monitor the impact that legislation has on the health and growth of Arizona’s technology industry. Jason Bagley, senior director of state government relations at Intel Corporation, served as the committee chair and was supported by Council President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra, Council Executive Emeritus Ron Schott and P3 Partner Dianne McCallister.

The Public Policy Committee’s top legislative priorities for 2021 were: • Reauthorizing and extending the Angel Investment Tax Credit program for another 10 years • Looking for opportunities to cultivate a diverse, equitable statewide Arizona science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) ecosystem

Women in the Workforce (Tucson) A female-focused event series in Southern Arizona, the Women in the Workforce committee facilitates quarterly learning and mentoring

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Workforce Development + Education Committee The Council remains committed to helping develop and support a robust and aligned education and workforce development ecosystem in Arizona. The committee was led by Cathleen Barton, founder of Cathleen Barton Consulting, and was supported by Council President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra. In 2021, the committee convened industry leaders to advise a Pipeline AZ-led project to develop the first IT/Cyber Hub, a cloud-based workforce ecosystem for the exploration of careers, education, training and job opportunities in IT and cybersecurity. The committee also supported AZTC member and partner Arizona State University and its Department of Labor-funded grant program, AZNext, to help bridge the skilled talent gap in IT, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing, challenging Council members across industries and disciplines. Also notable was the Council’s selection by ASU as a recipient of a portion of a $10 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Accelerate Latinx Representation in STEM Education (ALRISE) Alliance grant to offer experiential work-based opportunities in STEM to Latinx students. Finally, the committee supported the Public Policy and Cybersecurity committees with additional workforce development initiatives and extensive policy recommendations to improve STEM education and support an inclusive economic recovery.

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opportunities, provides career and leadership development and positions women to more effectively pursue careers in technology. In 2021, the committee planned and executed three events (two virtual and one in-person) on various topics including Addressing Key Factors to Self-Care and Achieving the Elusive Work-Life Balance. The second event was a wine tasting and education class, and the third was a panel presentation on Challenges and Opportunities of Working in a Primarily Male Environment and Strategies to Achieve Better Self-Awareness and Promotion in the Workplace. This committee’s activities also generated media recognition and was featured in a TV segment and accompanying article in KGUN 9 News. The staff liaison was Jamie Neilson, director of operations for the Southern Arizona Regional Office.

FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEES Finance Committee

Investment Committee

The Arizona Technology Council’s Finance Committee monitors the financial activities of the Council and lends guidance when necessary. In addition to Council President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra, members during 2021 included Board Chair Eric Miller, principal and co-owner, PADT, Inc.; Eric Lewis, partner, Ernst & Young; Austin Harris, vice president, commercial banking, Alliance Bank of Arizona; Rebecca Clyde, co-founder, Ideas Collide, CEO and co-founder, Botco.ai; Leland Snook, director, Arizona Public Service; and Jeff Unruh, founding principal, Alerion Capital Group.

The Committee meets monthly and lends its expertise to the economic health of the Council.

The Council’s Investment Committee monitors the investments made available to the Council’s Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) 401(k) program participants. The members of the committee were Council President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra; Jack Trierweiler, controller (chairman), MSS Business Transformation Advisory; Jennifer Rojas, CEO, NextJen HR Consulting; David Brown Wilson, principal owner, DB Wilson LLC; and Debbie Hann, COO, Arizona Small Business Association. Additional advice and information regarding the investments comes from Michael DiGrazia and Thomas Tenney of UBS. In 2021, the Council worked with Empower Retirement (formerly MassMutual), NOVA 401k Associates and AFS to fulfill the fiduciary and administrative responsibilities for the plan. There were 11 participating employers in the MEP 401(k) program at the end of 2021 with $7.4 million in plan assets.

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Executive Committee

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Convening the week before scheduled quarterly board meetings, the Council’s Executive Committee helps to shape the content of the board meetings, serve as advisors and act on behalf of the board between board meetings. In addition to Council President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra, the members of the Committee were Board Chair Eric Miller, principal and co-owner, PADT, Inc.; Board Vice-Chair Alex Iuorio, senior vice president of supplier development, Avnet; Board Secretary Jon Talcott, attorney, Ballard Spahr, LLP; Treasurer Eric Lewis, partner, Ernst & Young; Michael Hawksworth, president, MSS Technologies; Rebecca Clyde, co-founder, Ideas Collide, CEO and co-founder, Botco.ai; and Christine Boles, vice president, Industrial Solutions Division, Intel. Emeritus executive committee members included Mark Goldstein, president, International Research Center; Dan Mazzola, clinical assistant professor, information systems, Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business; and Robert Witwer, retired, Aerospace Advanced Technology, Honeywell. Overall, the Executive Committee had strong attendance at every meeting. This team has both diversity of expertise and a strong dedication to seeing the Council move in a positive direction. They work together monitoring the Council’s adherence to its mission.

Nomination Committee The Council’s Nomination Committee helps to identify new board members and move them through the board’s formal nomination process.

The members of this committee were Michael Hawksworth, president, MSS Technologies; Chris Johnson, president, LaneTerralever; Chair Mary Bailey, CEO and president, Rincon Research; and Rick Crutchley, vice president and general manager, Iron Mountain.

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PEER GROUPS CEO Network Aerospace & Defense CEO Network The Arizona Technology Council’s 2021 Tucson CEO Network continued to bring senior business leaders together in a comfortable and confidential atmosphere to discuss business issues specific to member companies, their industries and the local economy as a whole. These executives representing an array of technology-based industry sectors share valuable experience, insights and advice with other members of the group.

Meetings are held on a rotating basis at member companies, where tours are conducted and best practices are highlighted. In addition, speakers from government, industry, academia and other industries make presentations to the group at monthly meetings.

2021 Members: • Mary Bailey, Rincon Research • Shubhayu Chakraborty, CIS Global • Paul DeHerrera, Innovative Avionics • Jason Douglas, Tangent Aviation • Stephen Fleming, Center for Quantum Networks • Andy Griffis, The Sensor Group • Callie Groth, BlackBar Engineering • Dennis Kenman, Tucson Embedded Systems • Patrick Marcus, Marcus Engineering

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• Erik Novak, 4D Technology

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• Alex Rodriguez, FreeFall 5G • Marilyn Speert, TMM Precision • Howard Stewart, AGM Container Controls • Austin Yamada, The University of Arizona Applied Research Corporation • Darrel Yarbrough, Yarbrough Electronic Sales

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STEM PROGRAMS Building a Stronger STEM Ecosystem The Arizona Technology Council Foundation dba SciTech Institute is the Council’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit that brings together collaborators from across Arizona to strengthen the state’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pipeline. Executive Director Dr. Jeremy Babendure and Chief Operating Officer Kelly Greene direct the day-to-day operations and have established SciTech Institute as a guiding catalyst for STEM awareness, engagement and learning. Its programs seek to put STEM within reach of every human being and facilitate initiatives that highlight STEM careers and opportunities.

To foster STEM access, SciTech Institute is cultivating an Arizona STEM ecosystem of nonprofits, civic, business, industry and academic organizations. These entities are integral to the success of two of SciTech Institute’s most robust and far-reaching STEM initiatives—the Arizona SciTech Festival and National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded International Chief Science Officer (CSO) program. The organization also participates in the Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Coalition and NSFfunded Rural Activation and Innovation Network (RAIN).

SciTech Institute’s STEM initiatives extend beyond Arizona. For example, the Arizona STEM Ecosystem is an inaugural member of the STEM Funders’ STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP consists of 94 communities around the world supporting cross-sector collaborations to deliver rigorous and effective pre-K-16 STEM learning.

With the online opportunities to connect, the Arizona SciTech Festival events have engaged a larger group of STEM enthusiasts from around the world to share resources and opportunities in STEM. The CSO Program continued to grow in nine states and four countries during the 2021-2022 year. To learn more, visit here.

SciTech Institute Programs • Arizona STEM Ecosystem ○ STEM & Innovation Summit ○ STEM Unplugged ○ STEM Community Lunchtime Conversations ○ Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Coalition ○ Arizona K-8 Consortium / “AZHACS” • Arizona SciTech Festival • Chief Science Officers • Science For All, LLC

Arizona STEM Ecosystem The Arizona STEM Ecosystem is a collaborative, grassroots network of over 900 business, education, community and government organizations across the state. Serving as the ecosystem’s backbone organization, SciTech Institute promotes STEM awareness and enthusiasm, builds local and diverse STEM leadership and supports Arizonans’ entering higher-ed and STEM career pathways. To date, the ecosystem has established six regional hubs to nurture partnerships and synergies across geographic and economic boundaries. The ecosystem has also launched six statewide working groups to support cross-collaboration among hubs on common issues. In addition to the geographic focus, current working groups have been established based on common interest and focus/ The groups are Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in STEM; Computer Science AZHACS; STEM in Libraries; Community Impact in STEM; Sustainability Education & Outreach; STEM Workforce; and Pre-College STEM Programs.

The Ecosystem team also serves as administrator for the continuing development of the Arizona Informal Educator Network, an additional working group in Arizona’s STEM Ecosystem. In addition to the work focused on Arizona, the SciTech Institute leadership team supports the larger network of the CoP by supporting Rural Ecosystems Connect calls and the Western States Ecosphere.

STEM PROGRAMS CONT. Key 2021 achievements:

• The Sustainability Education and Outreach group kicked off at the end of 2021 with more than 50 members from K-20 schools, community organizations, government departments and businesses.

• SciTech Institute hosted Town Hall meetings for each existing hub or region (group of hubs). Approximately 94 individuals signed up to be official hub members, with seven members taking on key leadership roles in their geographic areas.

• The DEI group consisted of more than 85 educators, administrators and STEM professionals. The group continued work on three projects: a STEM workshop for special education teachers, a community makerspace network and an Arizona-specific STEM curriculum guide (toolkit).

• The STEM in Libraries group held seven meetings. The group had 42 members representing 24 libraries, with two members serving on the Steering Committee. The group launched two new projects in the first six months of 2021.

• The Community Impact in STEM group held three meetings with 36 members representing six different counties. This group set goals of collaborating and networking with each other as community programs to support the growth of Arizona’s STEM network.

• The STEM Workforce group held one meeting with 16 attendees. The group collectively set goals and identified its first collaborative project: a toolkit for educators and career counselors to discuss manufacturing and IT opportunities with Arizona students.

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• The Pre-College STEM Programs group consisted of eight members representing three different programs from Arizona State University and The University of Arizona.

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SciTech Institute established Facebook pages for each of the state’s STEM Hubs, as well as the Community Impact group. These group pages are used to communicate with and between stakeholders.

Arizona STEM & Innovation Summit This annual statewide conference brings together Arizona’s key stakeholders in business, industry, education, government and the communityto share best practices from the field, experience the latest in Arizona innovation, build unique STEM networks and discuss opportunities to improve public STEM awareness and workforce readiness. The Summit kicks off the annual Arizona SciTech Festival season.

The 2021 STEM & Innovation Summit, held in September, transitioned to a hybrid event.

The event at Arizona Science Center engaged 30 presenters and 15 facilitators, and drew more than 500 people in person and 150 participants on Zoom.

Sessions focused on ecosystem development and ecosystems at work.

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STEM Unplugged SciTech Institute hosts this monthly podcast on Phoenix Business RadioX to connect partners from all over Arizona.

STEM Unplugged conversations dive deep into the wealth of STEM innovations, initiatives and resources in our state. Hosted by Chief Operating Officer Kelly Greene, the show aims to get listeners plugged into a diverse, thriving network of opportunities in STEM. Visit the YouTube STEM Unplugged Channel to view the conversations to date.

STEM Community Lunchtime Conversations At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, SciTech Institute teamed with Arizona Science Center to host the online series STEM Community Lunchtime Conversations. The series is a monthly opportunity for the STEM community to come together virtually to learn about and discuss various STEM topics.

Each conversation starts with flash presentations from SciTech Institute’s ecosystem partners. Participants then engage in Q&A with speakers and have breakout discussions to connect and share with each other.

2021 topics included Sustainability, Manufacturing Month, STEM Hobbies, Computer Science and STEM in the Military.

Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Coalition The Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Coalition (AzAMC) seeks to strengthen Arizona’s advanced manufacturing (AM) workforce by engaging industry, K-12 institutions, community colleges, universities, civic and community organizations and workforce and economic development groups in building AM and related STEM career pathway awareness. AzAMC fosters collaboration within and between industry and key stakeholders to introduce youth to AM via tours, guest speakers and career days. In 2021, monthly newsletters engaged a larger audience around AM opportunities and organizations in Arizona.

From April through December, AzAMC visited more than 25 classrooms both virtually and in person, reaching more than 640 Arizona students from kindergarten through college.

Arizona K-8 Consortium / “AZHACS” (NSF Award #2031527) SciTech Institute received a 1.5-year NSF grant in November 2020 to establish the Arizona K-8 Consortium, which is now named Arizona Hubs Advancing Computer Science (AZHACS). The goals are to build local education capacity, enable all Arizona schools to meet computer science and computational thinking (CS/CT) requirements and support iterative, continuous professional development via professional learning communities. SciTech Institute, the

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Panel discussions included Arizona Mayors Kate Gallego (Phoenix), John Giles (Mesa), Brigette Peterson (Gilbert) and Juan Rodriguez (Tolleson); industry and K-12 partnerships; and a conversation on how to host Arizona SciTech Festival events. The Summit was a great example of the potential reach offered by hybrid events as it engaged at least 650 people.

STEM PROGRAMS CONT. Consortium and members Arizona Science Center, Arizona State University and BootUp Professional Development (BootUp PD) are leveraging Arizona STEM Ecosystem and Rural Activation and Innovation Network (RAIN) partnerships to empower rural educators through research-practitioner partnerships (RPPs). AZHACS serves as the bridge between RPPs and the broader AZ STEM Ecosystem. This statewide working group supports RPPs as they develop roadmaps for successful CS/CT integration and acts as a statewide Community of Practice for engaging partners across Arizona.

In 2021, five K-8 RPPs were established in Maricopa, Pinal, Cochise, Navajo and Apache counties to address several key challenges unique to the integration of computer science (CS) and computational thinking (CT) in rural PreK-8 classrooms. Challenges identified included limited access to a) CS/CT experts and professional development (PD), b) research expertise for rapid, iterative and continuous improvement cycles, and c) a clear roadmap that provides specific steps and resources for rural schools to adapt CS/CT instructional materials for diverse student populations. Rural educators and administrators participated in Strategic CSforALL Resource & Implementation Planning Tool (SCRIPT) workshops to formulate visions for CS/CT education, select materials and curricula and assess their leadership, teacher capacity, district partners and community engagement in relation to their vision for CS/CT.

Through this work, members identified five priorities for rural CS/ CT education: engage in technology creation to gain confidence and persistence in the face of challenges, level the playing field and close the digital divide for lower-income youth, promote 21st-century skills, teach citizens the basics of how the technological world works, and teach people about CS/CT so society can produce more innovations and gain knowledge. After setting priorities, practitioners and researchers codeveloped potential topics for their research inquiry plans to acknowledge real-world challenges, address gaps and build capacity in rural Arizona classrooms.

Arizona SciTech Festival The Arizona SciTech Festival, SciTech Institute’s cornerstone initiative, is a statewide celebration of STEM that aims to educate, engage and inspire all Arizonans. Supported by the Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Science Center, Arizona State University, The University of Arizona and Arizona Board of Regents, the Festival fosters awareness of and interest in the state’s STEM economy. It offers people from all walks of life hands-on learning opportunities, expos, workshops, exhibitions, unique activities and experiences, tours and more. Most importantly, it inspires Arizonans of all ages to pursue STEM-related fields of study and careers.

The 2021 Arizona SciTech Festival was unique in that it shifted to a fully digital platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season was shortened to just the month of February as a pilot for the digital effort. Both Zoom and Facebook Live were used to stream more than 256 events. Zoom engaged 3,786 viewers directly while another 3,400 participated through Facebook Live. (More than 120 videos are available on Facebook and YouTube.) While the number of collaborators and events were reduced, there were some silver linings:

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• Access – Digital platforms enabled audiences to attend events they normally would not have been able to due to geographic or economic reasons.

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Chief Science Officers (NSF Award #1615209) The Chief Science Officers (CSO) program aims to place youth squarely in the center of STEM promotion, experience and community action, ultimately strengthening the future STEM workforce. CSOs are 6th-12th grade youth who champion the interest, engagement and communication of STEM and innovation on and off campus. They engage in leadership training and plan STEM engagement activities for their peers and communities. They also streamline connections to local scientists, STEM professionals and organizations, working with these entities to build STEM awareness and workforce skills.

CSOs also function as unified regional cabinets, engaging in local, regional and national STEM conversations to create a positive perception of STEM (or STEAM when the arts are included), transform school and community culture and broaden participation.

While the CSO program was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, there were several notable accomplishments. For instance, the program engaged 734 CSOs including 203 new CSOs from Guanajuato, Mexico.

Digital Leadership Training Institutes and Cabinet meetings were held, and the program initiated CSO Saturdays online each month to provide youth with additional learning and support opportunities. STEM professionals, CSO alumni and advanced CSOs host the Zoom call to support all CSOs. Each event includes a STEM professional highlight or panel, Action Plan brainstorming sessions and skill development training opportunities.

Additional hybrid training events were piloted during the summer at the University of Advancing Technology. The CSO International training materials and curriculum were revised and updated to reflect the online experience for all students, advisors, mentors and Cabinet Coordinators.

During the fall, the training team led pilot sessions on advanced leadership training for students advancing in their journey as STEM ambassadors. Level 3 focuses on community impact projects.

Notable Accomplishments • CSO Lauren (Central Valley) hosted eight virtual STEAM Event Resources with the Maricopa Air Quality Department and a conversation with ASU Organic Chemistry Teacher Professor Dr. William Comar.

• CSO Sarah (Tucson) brought the CSO program to ASU Prep Digital High School, creating three online STEAM meetings for her peers. She also helped host a virtual tour of the Liberty Wildlife hospital and betatested ASU’s Infiniscope virtual tour builder, presenting it to more than 200 people.

• CSO Paola (Southeast Arizona) recruited nine new CSOs to the Southeast Arizona Cabinet. These CSOs helped host Bisbee’s Sky Island STEM Express and a STEM Night to spread the word about CSOs. • CSO Ben (West Valley) organized an environmental statewide challenge with Litterati and began a Green Hands Club on campus to increase awareness at Verrado High School.

• CSO Sofia (Northern Arizona) engaged with the Sedona Public Library, her school and Science Vortex of the Verde Valley CSOs to host a variety of engaging experiences for STEM enthusiasts of all ages. She highlighted Makey-Makeys, organized engineering design challenges and focused on the opportunities to create in the makerspace.

The CSO Alumni Network brings together graduated students in support of the CSO program. These individuals foster a vibrant community of changemakers and leaders through mentorship, networking, professional development and collective action. During the past year, the Alumni Network created a website that has an interactive map showing where they are located; hosted networking events and professional development opportunities like resume writing, informational interviewing, research and poster design best practices; and served as mentors at CSO Saturdays and local cabinet meetings.

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• Exposure – Collaborators consistently talked about new audiences attending their events.

• Footage – SciTech captured 189 hours of video footage that is available online and can be repurposed for future events.

• Collaboration – Physical barriers that would impede groups from working together were dissolved through digital.

STEM PROGRAMS CONT. Science For All, LLC

East Valley STEM Alliance

Science for All, LLC is a 501(c)(3) Arizona-certified, qualifying charitable organization. Donations directly support the Chief Science Officers and other SciTech Institute programs providing disadvantaged youth access to STEM resources and opportunities. Science for All enables these youth to gain critical employability skills and the experience necessary to become STEM professionals. It supports skill development through hands-on experiences, job training programs, mentorships and other activities. This next generation of STEM professionals, science educators and leaders will drive innovation, solve problems and create technology never imagined previously. Fostering STEM pathways will help attract employers to Arizona and improve the state’s standing as a world-class STEM and technology hub. Science for All raised more than $20,000 in 2021, which offset the $1,800 cost for Title I CSOs in Arizona.

SciTech Institute serves as a key supporter of the East Valley STEM Alliance (EVSA), a networking group open to East Valley companies, school districts and nonprofits focused on STEM. EVSA’s primary goal is to meet future workforce demands by connecting and inspiring youth about technology and innovation careers. In 2021, EVSA speakers included Matt Rawley of STEM Revolution, Gale Beauchamp of Maricopa County, Alberto Esparza and Fredi Lajvardi of Si Se Puede and Tom Mehlert of AZStRUT.

Programs Supported by SciTech Institute

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Arizona Science Bowls

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The Arizona Middle School and High School Science Bowls are regional Jeopardy-style competitions focused on STEM topics. The events are open to all Arizona and Nevada middle and high school teams, and held at Arizona State University’s West Campus in partnership with ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences and the School of Mathematical and Natural Science. Solugenix, a Council member, is the primary sponsor of the Arizona Science Bowls.

Over the past decade, Arizona Science Bowls have reached thousands of students and successfully promoted excellence in STEM education while furthering the cause to build a world-class workforce in Arizona. In 2021, approximately 40 middle school students competed across 10 teams, and 100 high school students competed across four teams. The first-, secondand third place Middle School Science Bowl winners were The Davidson Academy of Nevada, BASIS Peoria and BASIS Scottsdale. The first-, secondand third-place High School Science Bowl winners were BASIS Peoria, Hamilton High School and BASIS Chandler. Regional winners compete at the national event in Washington, D.C. Those competitions facilitated by the U.S. Department of Energy draw more than 14,000 students each year.

Rural Activation and Innovation Network (RAIN) (NSF Award #1612555) The Rural Activation and Innovation Network (RAIN) seeks to help STEM gain traction in Arizona’s rural communities through informal learning and engagement. Supported by SciTech Institute, Arizona State University, the Arizona Science Center and COSI’s Lifelong Learning Group, RAIN bridges local STEM organizations and leaders with Navapache, Cochise County, Verde Valley and Graham/Greenlee rural communities to strengthen their education and workforce pipelines. Program goals include increasing opportunities for children and families to interact with STEM professionals and learn about STEM-based careers both within and outside of their community. Regional Innovation Councils (RICs) build capacity and engage community partners in informal STEM awareness and knowledge-building collaboration.

During the five-year program, each region has developed local Informal STEM Education projects and experiences plus STEM professional development for community leaders to stimulate dialogue, interest and engagement of children, families and organizations in the STEM disciplines.

It also has focused on their real-world applications, associated career opportunities and impact on local economies. In 2021, project team members participated in the January Rural Ecosystem Conference to share resources for asset mapping and broadening engagement. In addition, team members collaborated with SciTech Institute to purchase 12 Little Free Libraries in rural communities and provide STEM-themed activity kits on a monthly basis. By the project’s completion in October 2022, the team aims to collectively reach 60,000 children and parents and 1,000 STEM professionals.

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Supporting the inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in STEM learning is a key focus area for the National Science Foundation.

This initiative – led by the Institute for Learning Innovation where SciTech Institute Executive Director Dr. Jeremy Babendure is a fellow and in partnership with the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center – will develop custom professional development education for practitioners working in informal STEM learning institutions (e.g., museums, science centers) and evidenced-based programming. Informal STEM learning collaborators include the Museum of Natural History, i.d.e.a. Museum, Pueblo Grande Museum and Arizona Science Center.

This 2.5-year phase I project lays the foundation for a 10-year study that will develop an evidence-based and sustainable ASD professional development program, online resource center and community of practice that can be readily adapted to most, if not all, Informal STEM Education institutions. In 2021, preliminary meetings began with four Arizona Informal STEM Institutions that will participate in a research-based design study.

Their staff will also comprise the founding members of a Community of Practice aimed at sharing promising practices and promoting broader engagement among the informal science education community. This pilot study will recruit 20 diverse individuals with ASD who will visit each institution prior to and after the professional development for staff.

Sail with Argo Arizona’s first education and research sailing vessel, Argo, is a unique, online educational resource for students across Arizona and beyond. A real-world practical conservation experience, Argo engages students with the crew, known as “Argonauts.” Satellite communication allows researchers and crew members onboard Argo to livestream exciting oceanic and coastal research video while talking with students anywhere in the world, ensuring rich and inspiring learning experiences and engagement. Students from 35 classrooms participated in conservation projects while interacting with the Argonauts. Argo highlighted scientists from around the world during the Arizona SciTech Festival in February 2021, including Luis Caffi from Chile, Serafina Moulton and Tavake Pakomio from Rapa Nui, and archeoastronomer Edmundo Edwards. In the fall, SciTech Institute hosted Digital STEM Career Days and the Argo team presented engaging hands-on samples of lessons related to the sailing vessel.

After the Bridgerian Crash: An Integrated Analysis of Mammalian Paleocommunities and Paleoecologies During the Middle Eocene (NSF Award #2011695) This NSF-funded Midwestern University project conducts research on how Earth’s ecosystems have responded to extreme warming by investigating changes in mammalian diversity, vegetation and soil development in approximately 45-million-year-old deposits found in Northeastern Utah.

The results of this work will provide an opportunity to use the past to understand the impacts of climate change for managing critical habitat resources. The study will facilitate the development of scientific expertise for undergraduate students, create a K-12 curriculum and provide science outreach at multiple museums via exhibits and modules. Throughout 2021, eight Chief Science Officers (CSOs) engaged in curriculum development and outreach, providing an essential voice in the conversation. Additionally, two CSOs developed in-depth projects to present to their Midwestern University mentors.

SciTech Institute Board of Directors • Steven G. Zylstra, President & CEO, Arizona Technology Council & SciTech Institute

• Robert Witwer, Chair, Honeywell (retired)

• David Alberty, Treasurer, AFS Technologies

• Rowan Smith, Secretary, Messner Reeves

• Lorenzo Chavez, Arizona State University

• • • • • •

Angie Harmon, Freeport-McMoRan Heidi Jannenga, WebPT Diana McMahon, Salt River Project Renu Navale, Intel Corporation Charleean Smith, State Farm Jeff Unruh, Alerion Capital Group LLC

• Wilman Vergara, KNOSIS • Monica Villalobos, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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Inclusive STEM Learning Opportunities for People with ASD (NSF Award #2005901)

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BY THE NUMBERS Arizona Technology Council Revenue + Expenditures Other 11.90% | $188,854 Grants and Contributions 3.89% | $61,776

Membership 39.60% | $628,567

REVENUE* BY SOURCE Programs and Events 28.30% | $449,277

Fiscal Year 2021 Total Revenue: $1,587,284 * In addition to the income stated above, COVID-19 PPP Loans of $295,429 were received in 2021. Full forgiveness is expected and income will be recognized in 2022.

Sponsorship 16.31% | $258,810

Membership 23.74% | $413,161

Programs and Events 11.21% | $195,202

EXPENDITURES Fiscal Year 2021 Total Revenue: $ 1,740,694

Administration 49.41% | $860,088

Marketing 9.70% | $168,826

Public Policy 5.94% | $103,418

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Arizona Technology Council Officers + Executive Committee Chairman of the Board Eric Miller PADT Inc.

Secretary Jonathon Talcott, Esq. Ballard Spahr

Executive Committee Emeritus Mark Goldstein International Research Center

Vice Chairman

Executive Committee

Executive Committee Emeritus

Alex Iuorio Avnet

Rebecca Clyde Ideas Collide and Botco.ai

Dan Mazzola, Ph.D. Arizona State University

President + CEO

Executive Committee

Steven G. Zylstra

Christine Boles

Arizona Technology Council + SciTech Institute

Intel

Treasurer

Executive Committee

Eric Lewis, CPA Ernst & Young

Mike Hawksworth MSS Technologies

Executive Committee Emeritus Robert Witwer Retired from Honeywell Aerospace

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Arizona Technology Council Directors

48

Islamshah Amlani, Ph.D., MBA

Mary Bailey, Ph.D.

Amit Bhandari

Honeywell Aerospace

Rincon Research

Solugenix

Rajesh Bhatia Keap

David Bolman, Ph.D. University of Advancing Technology

Aric Bopp Arizona State University

49

Rick Crutchley Iron Mountain

Michael Curley

Anne Dougherty

Hector Garcia

Mike Gaumond

Illume Advising

Honeywell Aerospace

Insight

Matthew Grant

Todd Hardy

Austin Harris

American Express

Arizona State University

Alliance Bank

Wes Hummel

Jan Janick

Shashi Jasthi, MBA

PayPal

Benchmark

Solugenix

Chris Johnson

Sheila Kloefkorn

Drena Kusari

LaneTerralever

KEO Marketing Inc.

Lyft

Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)

Keith Latchaw MSS Technologies

Ray Schey Phoenix Business Journal

Timothy McDaniel, Ph.D. Translational Genomics Research Institute

Yakov Sidorin, Ph.D. Quarles & Brady

Quarles & Brady, LLP

Calline Sanchez IBM

Leland Snook APS

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Kevin Campbell

Arizona Technology Council Directors Cont.

Sanjay Srinivasan Vonage

Carol Stewart Tech Parks Arizona, The University of Arizona

Mike Stewart Honeywell Aerospace

Rick Stoddard Encora

Jeff Unruh Alerion Capital Group

Chuck Vermillion AccountabilIT

Sandra Watson Arizona Commerce Authority

David Woody American Express

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Staff Members

50

Angelica Espinoza Bookkeeper

Bianca Buliga Director, Marketing + Communications

Darryle Emerson Director, Programs + Events

Deborah Zack Vice President, Membership Services

Don Rodriguez Editor

Jamie Neilson Director of Operations, Southern Arizona

Karla Morales Vice President, Southern Arizona

Laura De George Chief of Staff

Ron Schott Executive Emeritus, Phoenix

Steven G. Zylstra President + CEO

51 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

SCITECH INSTITUTE Staff Members Amanda Rincon STEM Ecosystem Educational Outreach Coordinator

Claire Conway STEM Ecosystem Programs Manager

Destiny Madaje Resource Portal & Event Manager

Hope Parker Curriculum & Training Specialist

Jake Lounsbury Director of Global Partnerships

Jeremy Babendure, Ph.D. Executive Director

Kaci Fankhauser STEM Ecosystem & CSO Enrollment Coordinator

Kelly Greene COO + Director of Student Success

Michele Roy Grant Writer

Murphy Office Pet

Nova the Gecko Community Engagement Specialist

Steven G. Zylstra President + CEO

Tammy Doerksen CSO Advisor & Parent Support Member

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

2021 PREMIER SPONSORS

52

53

2021 VISIONARY SPONSORS AGM Container Controls | Alliance Bank | Arizona Public Service | AudioEye | Blue Canoe Marketing | BlueYonder cStor | Encora | Involta | Keap | Metz & Associates PLLC | Michael Beach Consulting | MSS Business Transformation Advisory | Pacific Office Automation | Pima Community College | Rincon Research | Solugenix | Sun Corridor, Inc. Tech Parks Arizona | Wallace Plese + Dreher

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

2021 PLATINUM SPONSORS

2021 COUNCIL MEMBERS #Fly

Aira

Apple

Arizona Lithographers

3D Management & Consulting, LLC

Airth Solutions

Applied Energetics, Inc.

Arizona Mining Association

4D Technology Corporation

Airy Optics, Inc.

Applied Microarrays, Inc.

Arizona Municipal Strategies

4SmartPhone

AIS Industries, Inc.

AppointmentPlus

Arizona Optical Metrology, LLC

A.M. Fadida Consulting

Alagen

Äpre Instruments, LLC

Arizona Optical Systems

Aagra Consulting

Alerion Capital Group

Aptech Systems, Inc.

Arizona Public Service (APS)

Accenture, Ltd

Aligned Data Centers (Phoenix), LLC

Aramid Technologies

Arizona Science Center

AccountablIT

Allata

Arete

Arizona Small Business Association

Accounting & Finance Professionals, Inc.

Alliance Bank of Arizona

Arizona Association for Economic Development

Arizona Spaceport Alliance

Accram, Inc. Acena Consulting ACG Arizona Acronis Acronis SCS ADI Computer Systems

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

AdValue Photonics, Inc.

54

Alliance of Arizona NonProfits Allied Cloud Solutions AllStaff Services

Arizona Association of Community Managers

Arizona State University Arizona Tech Investors (ATI) Arizona Telemedicine Program

Alluvion Communications

Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio)

Alphacore, Inc.

Arizona Cactus Ranch

Array Technologies

Amazon

Arizona Central Credit Union

Aspire Business Consultants

Ambature, Inc.

Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry

AstroHire Executive Search & Recruitment

Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA)

AT&T

Arizona Council of Engineering & Scientific Associations (ACESA)

ATIC

Arizona Cyber Threat Alliance, Inc. (ACTRA)

ATOM

Advanced Business Learning

American Association of University Women

Advantage Resourcing

American Express

AdviNOW Medical

Amin Talati Wasserman, LLP

Advotech Company, Inc.

Amphitheater Unified School District

Aerospace Arizona Association

Anchor Wave

Arizona Thin Films

atmosol

AudioEye

Agile Rising

Anderson Painting Co., Inc.

AgJunction, Inc.

ANM

Arizona Department of Administration, Arizona Strategic Enterprise Technology (ADOA - ASET)

AGM Container Controls, Inc.

Anuncia, Inc.

Arizona Department of Education

Automation Specialists, Inc.

AHEAD, Inc.

Apex CPAs & Consultants

Arizona Gateway Logistics

Auxilium Technology Group, LLC

AIBMR Life Sciences, Inc.

Apex Systems

Ainovo Biotech, Inc.

APOMA American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association

Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Ava Butler, Organizational Development Consultant

Arizona Israel Technology Alliance

Avertium

Auer Precision / Auer Medical Authentus Group

55

BIOSA

Canyon State Wireless, Inc.

Avnet, Inc.

Black Chamber of Arizona

Avocat Group - Arizona

Black Labs, LLC

Capital Consultants Management Corp (CCMC)

Axis Recruiting Solutions

BlackBar Engineering

Axiscades, Inc.

Blackpoint-IT

Axon Enterprise, Inc.

Blockwise Engineering, LLC

AZ Big Media

Blue Canoe Marketing, LLC

AZ Cyber Initiative

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Catalina Foothills Unified School District

AZ Growth Advisors

Blue Yonder

Caterpillar, Inc.

AZSBDC Network

Blush Technology Group

Cathleen Barton Consulting

AzSensco

Bobcat Cyber, LLC

B2B CFO

Boeckeler Instruments, Inc.

CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services, Inc.

B3 Strategies

BOK Financial

Ballard Spahr

Boreale Law, PLC

Bancroft Information Services

Bosch Rexroth

Banner & Witcoff

Boundy Consulting, LLC

Banner Health

Brad Johns Consulting, LLC

Banyanbaum

Bralco Metals

Barker Contracting

BrightGuest

BASIS Schools, Inc.

Brightside Benefit, Inc.

Bayer Crop Science

Brodeur Partners

BBSI - West Phoenix

Bruce Brown Catering

BeachFleischman PC Beacon Group, Inc. Benchmark Electronics, Inc. Berkshire Consulting, LLC BestCompaniesAZ BigData Southwest

Business & Decision, North America Business Automation Associates, Inc. Cadence Advisors Calero - MDSL Camelback Strategy Group Canyon Angels

Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen, LLP Carvana Castelazo Content

CBR Management Services, Inc. dba Creative Business Resources

City of Glendale, Economic Development City of Goodyear City of Mesa Economic Development City of Peoria Economic Development Services City of Phoenix - Information Technology Services Department City of Phoenix Community & Economic Development Department City of Prescott City of Scottsdale (IT Department) City of Scottsdale, Economic Development City of Sierra Vista

CCG Catalyst Consulting

City of Surprise, AZ TechCelerator

CEI Gateway

City of Tempe

CellTrust Corporation

City of Tucson

Central Arizona College

City of Tucson - Information Technology

Cerebrum Corporation Certification Partners, LLC CGI Chandler Innovations Incubator Choice Hotels Cintana Education, LLC Cinteot CIS digg CIS Global City of Douglas

Clear Core Cleveland Electric Laboratories Co., Inc. Clientship CloudCover cloudIT Clutch Solutions, LLC CMC Laboratories, Inc. CNA Cognixia, Inc.

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

AVI SPL, LLC

2021 COUNCIL MEMBERS CONT. CollabraTech Solutions

Cyberitas Technologies

DMD Systems Recovery Inc.

Empower Partnerships

College Board

Cyxtera Technologies

DocSolid

Encora

Columbia West Capital

Dale Carnegie Training of Arizona

DoorDash, Inc.

Engineering Wireless Services, LLC

Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson

Darling Geomatics

Dovly

Enliven Production Group

Data Sales Co. (Innovative Technology Leasing )

DPR Construction

EnPower, Inc.

Duley | Bolwar | Pederson

Enterprise Holdings

Dynamic Manufacturing & Engineering, LLC

Entrepix, Inc.

Datron Dynamics David Shapiro Law

Eagle Private Equity

DB Wilson, LLC

Earl & Curley PC

DBM Global

East Valley Partnership

Deliverance Capital, LLC

Eclipse Automation

Delta Development Team, Inc.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona

Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona in Tucson Community Investment Corporation CompTIA Tech Career Academy Control Vision, Inc. Copper Hill Strategies Copper State Credit Union Corporate Benefit Solutions, LLC Cosant Cyber Security Cox Business - Tucson

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

CP Technologies, LLC

56

Dataforth Corporation

Delta Technology, LLC Desert Mountain Technical Sales, Inc.

Cranial Technologies, Inc.

Desert Platforms Medical Device Consultancy

Crest Insurance Group (Tucson)

Economic Incentives Advisory Group ED2 Corp

Envisionate Ephibian, Inc. Equality Academe ER2 - Electronic Responsible Recyclers ERISA Benefits Law, PLLC EscrowTab, Inc. eSentire

Edge R&D, LLC

Estado de Sonora Secretary of Economy

Deutsch Architecture Group

EdgeCore Data Centers

EV Group

Crimson Agility

DHX Software, LLC

Edgecumbe Group

Exact Sciences

Critical Path Institute

Diamond Coatings, Inc.

Edmund Optics

Expedient

Crosswalk Technologies, LLC

Dickinson Wright, PLLC

eightCloud, Inc.

Exponent

Crow Industries

Digital Air Strike

ELE Optics, Inc.

ExtraHop Networks, Inc.

Crowley Recruiting, LLC

Digitech Services, Inc.

ElectionSuite

EY

cStor

DiMartino Associates

Electronic Product Services, LLC

FBI

Cushman & Wakefield - Downey, Thompson, Rocha

Dircks Moving and Logistics

Emailage

Fiduciary Outsourcing, LLC

Distant Focus Corporation

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Finetech

Dixon Golf

Emerge Tech

Fintrepid Solutions

DMc Strategic IT Consulting

Employers Council

FirstDigital Telecom - Tucson

Cyber Defense Group Cyber Security Training and Consulting, LLC

57

Grand Canyon University

Flexential

Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

Flinn Foundation Flowing Wells Unified School District Forced Physics, LLC

Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau

Hi-Tech Machining and Engineering, Inc. Hofstadter Analytical Services, LLC Honeywell Horizon Moving & Logistics - Tucson

Fortinet

Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)

FreeFall Aerospace, Inc.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Freestone Insurance Group

Greenlight Traffic Engineering

Friends of Public Radio - Arizona

GreenLoop IT Solutions

Full Armor Protection Group, LLC

GroundProbe North America, LLC

G Force Global Technologies

GroveSite

Galvanize

Growthshift, LLC

Geoz Global, LLC

GT Medical Technologies, Inc.

HyeTech Network & Security Solutions, LLC

Gift of a Lifetime

H5 Data Centers

IBG FoxFin

Gila Software

Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort

IBM

Girikon, Inc.

IBM (Data Storage Unit)

GitKraken

Hart Scientific Consulting International, LLC

Global Chamber

Hathority, LLC

Global Electronics AZ, LLC

Hawkeye International

Global Superabrasives

HDI Solutions

Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs

Health Current

Google

Health Information Management Systems

Google Cloud Gordley Design Group DBA Gordley Group

HealthTrio, LLC Hexagon Mining

Gordon & Rees, LLP

HG Consulting, LLC

GPS Insight

HighPeak Advisors, LLC

GR Financial Group, LLC

Hire Capacity

Hourglass Education Technology Solutions, LLC House Trevethan HSBC Bank HT Metals Huawei Technologies US Hydronalix

Ideas Collide ILLUME Advising Imershen Immedia Audio Visual Solutions Imperva inBusiness Indico Data Infinity Insurance Partners Infosys Limited Innovative Avionics, LLC Innoventyx, LLC In-Position Technologies

Insight Enterprises, Inc. Insperity Insulin Initiative Integrated Accounting Services, LLC Integrated Management Resources, LLC Integrity Outsource Intel Corporation Inteliflows InterLink Engineering International Research Center Interoptics, LLC Intuor Technologies, LLC Involta Iridescence LTD (Tangiers, Ltd.) IRLabs, Inc. Iron Mountain Data Center Services, LLC Isolates, LLC iSolved ISSquared IT Yug, LLC ITeffectivity, LLC iTether Technologies, Inc. ITX Corp.

Jack Schumann - Optics Valley jdhInsights, LLC Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, PLC

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

FISBA

2021 COUNCIL MEMBERS CONT. JFS Embedded Solutions, LLC

Lavidge

Maricopa Community Colleges (CGCC, EMCC, GWCC, GCC, MCC, PVCC, PCC, RSCC, SCC, SMCC, SW Skill & Maricopa Skill Centers)

MSS Business Transformation

JNR Networks

Lazarus Alliance, Inc.

JobPath, Inc.

Lean Technologies, Inc.

Junior Achievement of Arizona, Inc.

Leaseweb

MyHouseCall

Lee & Associates

Maricopa County School Superintendent’s Office

JusticeTrax, Inc. JW Marriott Starr Pass

LeeShanok Network Solutions

Marsh

Nanopec, Inc.

Kaczmarek & Jojola, PLLC

Leonardo Electronics

Matellio, Inc.

NeoLight

Karcsay Consulting Group

Life365

Maven Project Management, LLC

Katalize, LLC

LifeCycle Delivery

McKesson

NESCO Resource Professional, IT & Engineering Recruiting Services

Keap

LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell

McMardon Investment, LLC (MAC6)

Netrality Data Centers

Kenect Phoenix

Lightsense Technology

Medefy Health

netscout

KEO Marketing, Inc.

Liquidity Partners, LLC

Mediato Technologies

Neubloc

Keyser

Local First Arizona

Melonball Entertainment, LLC

New Genesis Solutions

KinetX, Inc.

Lovitt & Touche

MeMD

Newbridge Technology Solutions

Kingston Business Solutions

Lowell Observatory

Mercury System, Inc.

NGT Academy

Kirsh Manufacturing, Inc.

LSI

Metropolitan Education Commission

Nikola Corporation

Kiyohara Optics, Inc.

Lucas Technology and Business Solutions (LTABS Consulting, LLC)

Metz & Associates, PLLC

Nlets Nocira

Lucid USA, Inc.

Michael Beach Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Lumen Technologies

MicroAge

Norcon Technologies, LLC

Lyft

MJ Campus, LLC

M Culinary Concepts

MKS Imaging Technology, LLC

Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

M3 Commercial Moving - Muscular Moving Men and Storage

mLogica

Northern Arizona Tech Alliance

Mobile Force Refueling

Northern Arizona University

Magenium Solutions Powered by AVI

Modis IT and Engineering

Nova-IR, Inc.

Marana Unified School District

Moog, Inc.

Now CFO Phoenix, LLC

Marcus Engineering, LLC

Moruga IT Solutions

NP Photonics, Inc.

Marcus Networking, Inc.

Moss Adams

Nymbl Systems

Klontech Measurement Solutions Knightscope Knosis Health, LLC

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Kobargo Technology Partners

58

Komatsu Mining Corp. and Komatsu America Corp KORE Power Kryterion Kudelski Security L3 Latitude LaneTerralever

MST Solutions Mundt & Associates

Nanomoneo, Inc.

Nogales Unified School District

59

Paragon IT Professionals

PlanetOne Communications, Inc.

Qwaltec

Oasis a Paychex Company

Paragon Space Development Corp.

Plus Consulting, LLC

Qwick

Obanj

Paramium Technologies

PMCS

R3EWaste

Oblyvion Enterprises, LLC

Parchment

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Radius AI

Olive Consulting, LLC

Pashtek

Polsinelli PC

Rapid Technologies

OnboardIT

PayPal North America

Polymer Chemistry Innovations

Red Frame Innovations, LLC

ONE Community

Per Scholas

Prane Holdings, LLC

REDW, LLC

OneBeacon Insurance

Perkins Coie, LLC

Pravici, LLC

Remarkable Health

OneNeck IT Solutions

Phantom Space Corporation

Predictive Solutions Engineering, LLC

Renren US Holdco, Inc.

Openform, LLC

Phocos Americas

Prenda

Republic Services, Inc.

OppsSpot, LLC

Phoenix Business Journal

Prescott Regional Opportunity Fund

Resonea

Oppty Unlimited

Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation

PrettyFluid Technologies

Revtek Capital

Prime Solutions Group, Inc.

RGROUP Professional Services

Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP

Rincon Research Corporation

OpsTel Services Opt-E Optica

Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations Phoenix Community Alliance Phoenix Cyber Academy, Inc.

Profitabil-IT: IT Advisory & Cybersecurity Risk Management

Photonics Automation Specialties, LLC

Promineo Tech

Pima Association of Governments

Protecht

Pima Community College

Prototron Circuits

Pima County

Providence First Trust Company PSG Solutions, LLC

Pacific Scientific

Pima County Information Technology Department

PacketWatch

Pima County JTED

PADT, Inc.

Pima County One-Stop/Arizona@Work

Page Per Page Palladium IT Advisors, LLC

Pima County Superintendent of Schools

Paradigm Manufacturing

Pinal Partnership

Paradox, Inc.

PivIT

Optical Perspectives Group, LLC Optical Support, Inc. OraVu Oryx Additive Osborn Maledon PA Pacific Office Automation Company

Public Policy Partners Pure Wafer, Inc. QlikTech QuakeWrap Quarles & Brady, LLP Quest

Rizse, Inc. Rocket Media, LLC Root Insurance Ruda-Cardinal, Inc. Rytek Technical Service Sahuarita Unified School District SaiOx SALEO Salt River Project (SRP) San Miguel Corporate Internship Program Sandbrook Group Sandler Training by Mercury SARSEF: Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Foundation

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Nymbus Media

2021 COUNCIL MEMBERS CONT. Savant Software, Inc.

Sims Business Systems

Spotlight, Inc.

Sysazzle, Inc.

SC4E, LLC

Sky Harbor International Airport

Spracht

SCAD Media

Sky Republic, Inc.

Stackhouse

T. R. Hill Executive Coaching & Consulting

Schooley Mitchell

Skysong Innovations

Staff Matters

Scientific Material Testing Laboratories, LLC

Slake Consulting

Startup Tucson

SMART Embedded Computing

State Farm

Snap Tech IT

Stellar Performance Corp.

Snell & Wilmer - Tucson

STEM Sports

SocialSEO

Stifel Private Client Group

Solera Health, Inc.

Straight Engineering, LLC

Solugenix Corporation

Strategic Growth Advisory

Scynce LED

Sondhi Solutions, LLC

Strategic Systems, Inc.

Sears Gerbo Architecture

Sonora Quest Laboratories

Strategy1

Securaplane Technologies, Inc.

Sonora Software

StratTech Solutions, LLC

Securaze US, LLC

Sonoran Schools

Streetwise Studios

Security 101

Soulective

SEMI

South32

Structured Communication Systems, Inc.

SentinelOne

Southwest Alliance for Excellence (SWAE)

Scientific Technologies Corporation (STC) SciTech Institute Scorpion Technologies, LLC Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce

ServerLift Corporation Seven Layers, LLC SGNT

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Shared Performance

60

Shin-Etsu MicroSi Signature Consultants Silent Sector Silicon Forest Electronics Silicon Valley Bank Simpleview

Tallwave, LLC Tangent Aviation, LLC Tanque Verde Unified School District Taronis Fuels TE Connectivity Tech Finders TEKletics Teknipure, LLC TEKsystems Global Services Televerde Tempe Chamber of Commerce Tesec, Inc. The Aerospace & Defense Forum The Arizona Group Insurance Brokers

Summit Consulting Group

The Data Strategy Lab

Sun Corridor

The Metal Man, Inc. / TMM Precision

Souvie Biodelivery

Sundial Energy, Inc.

The Neriah Group

SparrowOne, LLC

Sunnyside Unified School District

The Port of Tucson

Spatial Impact Group, LLC

Sunstate Technology Group

The Revenue Game, LLC

Spectral Instruments, Inc.

Sustaining Edge Solutions, Inc.

The Sensor Group, LLC

Spectrum, LLC

Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Arizona

The Strategy Expert, LLC

Spencer Fane, LLP SPIE Spinetix Spirit Electronics

SWS Computers Sydor Technologies Symmetry Software

The Talent Store The University of Arizona - Research, Innovation & Impact The University of Arizona Applied Research Corporation

61

Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

The University of Arizona College of Medicine

Tucson Unified Technology & Instruction

The University of Arizona Eller College of Management

U.S. Commercial Service

The University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences The University of Arizona, Tech Launch Arizona The University of Arizona, Tech Parks Arizona

UA Venture Capital, LLC UArizona RESTRUCT UBS UC Cloud Solutions Inc. - Technology Source

VIAVI Solutions, Inc.

Yavapai College

Victor Assad Strategic HR Consulting

Yeager Marketing

VigilanteATI, Inc.

YellowBird Holdings, Inc

VincentBenjamin

Zendesk

Vincit

Zigi

Virtuosity Consulting Group

Zinatt Technologies, Inc.

Vonage Business Solutions Group

Zovio

Vound Software

Zuggand

VyaPay

Zxerex Corporation

UK Department for International Trade

Waiver

Thin Client Computing

Uncommon Giving

Wallace, Plese + Dreher, LLP

Ticketmaster

Universal Avionics

WANRack

Tiempo Development

University of Advancing Technology

Times Microwave Systems

University of Phoenix

Washington Technology Industry Association

Town of Gilbert

US Air Tech DBA USAT

Town of Oro Valley

USA Federal Contracting Services, LLC

Town of Sahuarita

USAA

Trade in Motion, LLC

Vail School District

Transact Campus, Inc.

Vail Unified School District

Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)

Valutek

Traversant Group

Vantage West Credit Union

Trego Integrated Systems

VB Cosmetics, Inc.

Triad Wireless, LLC

Veeya

Tripwire, Inc.

Verdigris (Div. of Karrikin Technologies Arizona)

Tucson Embedded Systems, Inc. (TES) Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates

Vanguard Global Associates, LLC

Vertech Vertica

Wavelength Opto-Electronic (S) Pte, Ltd Waymo WebPT Westwind Wexford Science + Technology Wilco Source WillPower Partners Wilson’s Ventures, LLC Winsor Consulting Group, LLC World View World Wide Technology Xcelr8now, LLC Yarbrough Electronics Sales, Inc.

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

The University of Arizona College of Engineering

62

TUCSON

2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1530 Phoenix, Arizona 85004 602.343.8324

1215 E. Pennsylvania St., Suite 122 Tucson, Arizona 85714 520.388.5761

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

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