Transcription
ANNUAL REPORT2016
2/ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
ANNUAL REPORT 201633TABLE OF CONTENTSStaffMembers22FunctionalCommittees342016 CouncilMembers25144Introduction Overview62About theArizonaTechnologyCouncil3Letter from thePresident CEOPublic PolicyAdvocacy8SignatureEvents12Marketing CommunicationsPeer GroupsTechEmployment2615STEM EducationProgramsTechTerraProgram2816In theCommunityBusinessEssentialsProgramSponsors29By theNumbers19StandingCommittees4031Board ofDirectors/1
2/ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCILABOUT THE ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCILThe Arizona TechnologyCouncil is Arizona’s premiertrade association forscience and technologycompanies. Recognized ashaving a diverse professionalbusiness community, theCouncil works towardsfurthering the advancementof technology in Arizonathrough leadership,education, advocacy, andsocial action. The Counciloffers numerous events,educational forums, andbusiness conferences thatbring together visionaries,leaders, managers, andemployees to make animpact on the technologyindustry. These interactionscontribute to the Council’sculture of growing memberbusinesses and transformingtechnology in Arizona.To become a member orto learn more about theCouncil, please visitwww.aztechcouncil.org.Our MissionThe Arizona TechnologyCouncil is the driving forcebehind making our state thefastest growing technologyhub in the nation, connectingand empowering Arizona’stechnology community.Arizona hasbecome adesirabledestinationfor high-techcompanies.
ANNUAL REPORT 2016LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT CEOThe year 2016 brought manyencouraging signs and outcomes for thestate’s technology sector. Jobs are onthe rise, our education system is morefocused on STEM initiatives, and Arizonahas become a desirable destinationfor high-tech companies moving frominnovation hotbeds like California.Not to mention the rise of disruptivetechnology innovations in subsectorslike MedTech, FinTech and SpaceTech.Don’t take our word for it, experts acrossthe country also were singing our praiseslast year due to the state of Arizona’stechnology industry. The Cyberstates2016 report by CompTIA showed theaverage wage for tech jobs here wasmore than double the average wage inprivate-sector jobs across the state. The2016 Scoring Tech Talent report by CBREranked Phoenix in the top five metroareas for technology degree completionsand No. 11 in the nation for overalltechnology talent market. This reportalso showed an astonishing 58.1 percentgrowth in technology jobs over the pastfive years, matching San Francisco. AndArizona State University was named themost innovative school in the county byU.S. News & World Report, beating outStanford and MIT for the second year ina row.With the undeniable growth and probusiness climate, Arizona has becomean attractive location for technologycompanies to set up shop. Among theexciting announcements made in 2016,Lucid Motors selected Casa Grande for anew electric vehicle manufacturing facilitythat will employ 2,000. The East Valleysaw some major technology growthwhen Apple started hiring as it continuedto invest more than 2 billion in a newglobal command center in Mesa whileOrbital ATK announced plans to add 500jobs in Chandler, helping create a total of3,300 jobs in the state’s SpaceTech sector.Gainsight is moving forward with plansto relocate its entire corporate marketingheadquarters to Phoenix, and Comcast,Raytheon and Caterpillar are collectivelyadding thousands of jobs to the southernArizona region.A mention is also well-deserved for themany technology companies alreadyoperating in our great state that continueto defy traditional marketplaces withdisruptive innovations. Local companieslike EpiFinder, NeoLight and World Vieware only some of those paving the wayfor other Arizona-based technologydreamers.Steven G. Zylstra, Sc.D. (Hon.)In addition to the state’s enormoustechnology successes, the ArizonaTechnology Council achieved severalnotable accolades last year. The ArizonaOptics Industry Association merged withthe Council, resulting in the association’sBoard becoming our new Optics ValleyCommittee. Speaking of optics, theCouncil assisted in defeating a bill putforth by the billboard industry duringthe 2016 Arizona Legislature sessionthat would have negatively impactedour dark skies, which are critical tooptics, planetary science and astronomyresearch in Tucson and Flagstaff.The Council also collaborated with theArizona Commerce Authority and CoxCommunications for the Communitiesthat Work Partnership, a joint effort ofthe U.S. Department of Commerce’sEconomic Development Administrationand the Aspen Institute WorkforceStrategies Initiative. Our input wasincluded in a national report released inAugust 2016 outlining regional goals forenhancing local technology communities.Also, on the national stage, I was theonly Arizonan invited to attend the WhiteHouse’s Summit on Building the TechWorkforce of Tomorrow in December.Our Startup EntrepreneurshipCommittee launched MentorConnect,an event that pairs mentors fromestablished technology companieswith local startup founders to shareknowledge and experiences.In 2016, the Council was honored towin an American Society of AssociationExecutives’ Power of “A” Silver Award. Inaddition, I was fortunate to be namedthe Arizona Society of AssociationExecutives’ Executive of the Year, thePhoenix Business Journal’s Most AdmiredLeader Award, and the Arizona CapitolTimes Leader of the Year - Technology.The outlook for 2017 is even strongerand, in fact, will likely become ourmost robust year following the GreatRecession. However, there is one area toimprove before Arizona takes the nextstep towards becoming a technologyleader: increased investments andmore risk capital. More specifically, wemust attract risk capital for early-stagecompanies by improving incentives forinvestors.Please enjoy our 2016 Annual Reportas we attempt to summarize our pastyear’s accomplishments on your behalf.I am so appreciative to our members fortheir ongoing support, participation andinnovative spirit throughout the year.I hope you share our excitement aboutthe current and potential growth of ourstate’s technology climate. We all havethe opportunity to disrupt.Sincerely,Steven G. Zylstra, Sc.D. (Hon.)President CEO/3
4/ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCILINTRODUCTION OVERVIEWWe exist toenhancethe future oftechnologyin Arizona.The Arizona TechnologyCouncil is a private, not-forprofit trade association thatsupports the development,growth, and advancementof science and technologycompanies in Arizona. Withthe growth and supportof our members, theCouncil fulfills several majorgoals related to movingtechnology forward:Connect andempower Arizona’stechnology industry andcommunity.Provide a voice andadvocate publicpolicies that positivelyimpact Arizona’stechnology industry.Delivery qualitycontent and events toeducate and informArizona’s expandingtechnology sector.Accelerate theinnovation advantageand entrepreneurialmindset of ourmembers.
ANNUAL REPORT 2016With more than 800 members, the Council is Arizona’s onlystatewide organization serving the technology sector. Providingmember companies with marketing and business developmentopportunities, educational events, discounts on products andservices, and the creation of business-friendly environment togrow the local economy, the Council is recognized as one ofthe most important trade organizations in the state.Our HistoryThe Council was created in 2002 after the Arizona High Technology Industry Clustermerged with the Arizona Software and Internet Association. In 2008, the Counciladded an office in Tucson after consolidating the Aerospace, Manufacturing, andInformation Technology (AMIT) clusters of Southern Arizona into the Council. In2016, the Arizona Optic Industry Association merged with the Arizona TechnologyCouncil and its Board became a committee of the Council.Our LeadershipOur NetworkThe Council is governed by a Boardof Directors led by Chairman RobertWitwer, Vice President of AdvancedTechnology for Honeywell Aerospace.Steven G. Zylstra serves as President CEO of the Council and is responsiblefor the day-to-day operations andmanagement. Zylstra also servesas Chairman Emeritus of TECNA(Technology Councils of North America).The Council supports technologycompanies at all stages of growth anddevelopment – from startups to rapidlygrowing mid-sized companies and largeglobal enterprises. The Council works toimprove Arizona’s competitiveness andvisibility by advancing the development ofthe state’s technology community.A Place to Connect Grow/5
6/ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCILPUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACYThe Arizona TechnologyCouncil is the principaladvocate for technologycompanies in Arizona.The Council continuouslymonitors federal, state,and local policies thatimpact the health andgrowth of Arizona’stechnology industry.Through the collectivestrength of our members,the Council informs andeducates policymakers onissues that are importantto Arizona’s technologybased industries.2016 AccomplishmentsLegislativePublic policy is more than just a talking point for theArizona Technology Council. It’s a chance to shapegrowth possibilities, influence tax policy, enhanceinvestment opportunities, and shape operationaldynamics that impact every aspect of technology andinnovation both in Arizona and across the globe.2016 was a productive year for the ArizonaTechnology Council on legislative matters. Being anelection year, the AZTC Public Policy Committeesent legislative surveys to all candidates and theninterviewed 65 before making their recommendationsfor endorsements and publishing our bi-annual VoteTechSmart guide prior to the primary election.These are some of the important bills supported by theAZTC that passed through the Legislature and weresigned by the Gov. Doug Ducey: HB 2302 (securities; insurers; website operators)deals with the Small Fund Exception of Dodd-FrankAct. HB 2303 (exempt transactions; securities)amends the crowdfunding bill that was enactedin 2015, allowing an investor to liquidate theirinvestment under certain circumstances. HB 2386 (patent troll prevention act) providesprotection from frivolous law suits. HB 2232 (job training fund; lottery revenues)restores almost all career and technical education(CTE) funding. SB 1322 (community colleges expenditureslimitation bill) allows community colleges to fullysupport innovative CTE programs and respond tobusiness needs through additional funding for allCTE programs under the formula.We were also able to defeat a bill that would haveallowed significant increases in billboard lighting alongI-40 near Kingman, which would have increased thelight glow and impacted the astronomy and opticsindustries in the state.
ANNUAL REPORT 20162016 Arizona TechnologyCouncil Legislative Priorities: Recapitalize the Angel Investment Tax Credit Implement Dodd-Frank small fund exemption Appropriately fund the state’s education system,including Pre-K, K-12, postsecondary, JTED andCTE programs Create and fund a job training program 2016 Public Policy GuideEach year, the Arizona Technology Council publishes adetailed Public Policy Guide that is made available onthe Council’s website and mailed to our membershipbase and local lawmakers. In creating this document,the Council’s Public Policy Committee relies heavily onour mission by preparing key ideas, goals, and legislativeinitiatives that: Improve the business climate for the technologyindustry.Trip To Washington, DC Provide sources of capital that encourageentrepreneurship.Arizona Technology Council President CEO StevenG. Zylstra attended the annual Technology Councilsof North America (TECNA)/CompTIA DC Fly-In eventin Washington, D.C. Business leaders from technologycompanies across the nation visited Capitol Hill toadvocate for tech-friendly public policies and legislationthat supports industry job growth. Create an environment that supports technologyrelated retention and creation.In 2016, Zylstra attended the event with three executivesfrom Council member companies: Russ Yelton, ChiefExecutive Officer of Pinnacle Transplant Technologies,Chris Alejandro, Head of IT for Arizona College, and ClareAdams, Director of McBee Strategic Consulting. Train and attract the required talent to compete ina global innovation economy./7
8/ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCILSIGNATURE EVENTSONGOING SERIESafter5 Technology MixersLunch and Learn SeriesCouncil Connect SeriesVIP Tech Mixer Networking Eventsafter5 is the Council’s premier networkingevent. Designed to bring togethertechnologists, entrepreneurs, serviceproviders, and prospective members ina relaxed, after-work setting. This seriesattracts up to 100 attendees each month.Hosted by a Council member company, theafter5 series is free for members. Light horsd’oeuvres and refreshments are provided bythe host company. .The Lunch and Learn Series is presentedby a member company on a rotating basis.The purpose of the series is to provide anopportunity for members to learn about atopic or product from a variety of industrieswhile enjoying lunch with other businessprofessionals. Lunch and Learn events arealways free for Council members to attend.The Council Connect series is the Council’ssignature luncheon. Held on the thirdWednesday of every month for the Phoenixmarket, this event aims to tackle a diversegroup of hot-button issues that businessesface. Open to both Council members andnon-members, the Council Connect seriesaims to gather technologists and businessprofessionals for lunch every month.Held in conjunction with the ArizonaTechnology Council’s quarterly Board ofDirectors meeting, the VIP NetworkingEvents include attendees from the Board,Council members, and prospectivemembers.2016 ResultsNumber of Phoenix events: 6Number of Tucson events: 11Total attendance in Phoenix: 410Total attendance in Tucson: 9792016 ResultsNumber of Phoenix events: 632016 ResultsNumber of Tucson events: 17Number of events: 12Total attendance in Phoenix: 2,850Total attendance: 615Total attendance in Tucson: 305Increase in attendance from 2015: 6%2016 ResultsNumber of events: 4Total attendance in 2016: 350Increase in attendance from 2015: 10%
ANNUAL REPORT 2016ANNUAL CONFERENCES EXPOSMentorConnect AZCybersecurity SummitWhile sentiments of ecosystem supportvary among Arizona startup entrepreneurs,all agree that mentoring is vital to theirbusiness’ success. AZTC’s Startup Entrepreneurship Committee addressedthe community’s needs by hosting anevent that paired expert mentors fromestablished technology companies withlocal startup founders. The primarypurpose was to facilitate the sharing ofknowledge, experience, and relationshipsto build a better Arizona technologynetwork for young companies.The Arizona Technology Council and theArizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance(ACTRA)/Arizona Infragard presentedthe third annual Cybersecurity Summit.The Summit was an opportunity forgovernment and business executives tolearn about threats, vulnerabilities andconsequences related to data security andprivacy matters. This educational Summitprovided actionable solutions, as numerousCouncil and ACTRA member organizationsshowcased their available resources,products and services geared towardhelping protect intellectual property andcustomer data. Keynote speakers includedRoger Hockenberry, CEO, co-founderand partner of Cognitio and Brad Brekke,Director, Office of Private Sector, FederalBureau of Investigation (FBI) Private SectorPartnerships and the Path Forward.2016 ResultsTotal attendance: 307Increase in attendance from 2015: 7%Aerospace, Aviation,Defense & ManufacturingRequirements ConferenceEach year the Arizona Technology Councilcollaborates with the Arizona CommerceAuthority to stage the state’s Aerospace,Aviation, Defense and ManufacturingRequirements Conference. For defenseprime contractors, the event offers thechance to take the spotlight to explaintheir needs to subcontractors. For smallermanufacturers and service providers,they can talk directly with A&D decisionmakers to learn how to best meettheir requirements and showcase theircapabilities.Marketing Technology SummitPresented by the Arizona TechnologyCouncil and the Phoenix chapter of theBusiness Marketing Association, the annualMarketing Technology Summit focuseson the unique marketing and technologyrequirements facing business marketers inthe 21st century. Members of marketingdepartments can learn about cutting-edgemarketing methods, technologies andapplications of emerging best practices.They can also connect with leadingmarketing resources through the event’ssponsor expo.2016 ResultsTotal attendance: 2252016 ResultsTotal attendance: 195Increase in attendance from 2015: 5%/9
10 /ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCILSIGNATURE EVENTSANNUAL CONFERENCES EXPOSCEO RetreatThe two-day CEO Retreat gathers businessowners, presidents and CEOs for golf,networking, panels, presentations andworkshops. The first day invites attendees toplay in a golf scramble with prizes for closestto the pin and longest drive, followed bya networking reception. The second dayof the CEO Retreat features substantivecontent focused on leadership and includesa luncheon keynote address by a highprofile business leader.2016 ResultsTotal attendance in 2016: 97Increase in attendance from 2015: 5%2016 Southern Arizona Tech Business Expo: Where Technologyand Manufacturing ConnectThe 2016 Southern Arizona Tech BusinessExpo was our best one yet and is Tucson’spremier technology showcase featuringbest-in-class technology innovators. The2016 Tech Expo was held at the TucsonConvention Center in collaboration withthe Arizona Commerce Authority. Hundredsof technologists and business leaders fromacross the state came together for a day oflearning, networking and business growth.In a captivating keynote speech, RyanGeorge, CEO of SimpleView, describedhow he and his team created a worldclass company with a powerful softwaresolution that is now in demand globally.Pima County announced during a specialpress conference the arrival of Vector SpaceSystems to Tucson with an economicimpact of over 290 million followed by a“commercial SpaceTech sector” tour-deforce from CEO Jim Cantrell.2016 ResultsTotal attendance: 243Legislative Day2016 Golf TournamentsThe Arizona Technology Council andPlatinum Sponsor Intel held the annualLegislative Day on the afternoon ofTuesday, February 23, 2016. This event gaveconstituents a chance to learn about currentpublic policy issues and meet legislators andprovided an opportunity for our membersto advocate on the Council’s legislativepriorities, like the funding of the AngelInvestment Tax Credit. The event agendaincluded an Economic DevelopmentRoundtable with key legislative leaders inthe historic Senate chambers at the StateCapitol followed by a mixer at the ArizonaTechnology Council offices.The Council hosts annual golftournaments for members and nonmembers in both Phoenix and Tucson.In 2016, AZTC hosted 128 golfers atTroon North Golf Club in Scottsdale atits Phoenix Golf Tournament. The 2016Tucson Golf Tournament was held at theOmni Tucson National Resort and hosted102 golfers.2016 ResultsTotal attendance: 50Each event included lunch, raffle prizedrawings and an awards ceremony.2016 ResultsNumber of events: 2Total attendance in 2016: 230Increase in attendance from 2015: 31%
ANNUAL REPORT 2016The Governor’s Celebration of InnovationThe Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) is the Arizona Technology Council’sannual awards gala in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority that honorstechnology leaders and innovators from across the state. The 2016 event attracted morethan 800 attendees and 45 exhibitors showcasing their innovations. The 2016 event alsofeatured an interactive display of the Google’s self-driving car.Fourteen awards were presented during the Oscar-style awards presentation totechnology companies, community leaders, and students from across the state.2016 ResultsTotal attendance: 810INDIVIDUAL/COMPANYCOMPANY AWARD WINNERSOneNeck IT Services People’s ChoiceLifetime Achievement AwardRick Smith, TASER, President CEOInnovator of the Year – Startup CompanyLife 365William F. McWhortor Community ServiceLeader of the YearTomas Gorny, Nextiva, CEOInnovator of the Year – Small CompanySimpleViewInnovator of the Year – Large CompanyAvnet, Inc.Ed Denison Business Leader of the YearBrian Mueller, Grand Canyon University,President CEOInnovator of the Year – AcademiaArizona State University Biodesign InstitutePioneering AwardIntelTEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERJudge’s AwardWebPTChairman’s AwardJeremy Babendure, Ph.D.,Executive Director, Arizona SciTechFestival Arizona Technology CouncilFoundationChristine Sapio,Coconino High School, FlagstaffTEACHER HONORABLE MENTIONSMarni Landry,Paradise Valley High School, PhoenixPradip C. Misra,Bagdad High School, BagdadFUTURE INNOVATORS OF THE YEAR AWARDWINNERSKailash Raman,Sandra Day O’Connor High School,PhoenixRahul Ramesh,Hamilton High School, ChandlerAakanksha Saxena,Desert Mountain High School, ScottsdaleMcKenna Loop,Arizona College Preparatory-Erie,ChandlerFUTURE INNOVATORS OF THE YEARHONORABLE MENTIONSSimon Shen,Desert Vista High School, PhoenixAkshata Rudrapatna,Hamilton High School, Chandler/ 11
12 /ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCILMARKETING COMMUNICATIONSPublicizing the benefits and activities of the ArizonaTechnology Council is key to growing our membership andgaining awareness of the state’s technology industry. We arealways looking for opportunities to expose our members andour programs.Websiteaztechcouncil.org serves as the primary resource forinformation about the Council and the technology industryin Arizona. Information on the website includes industry andCouncil events, member news, resources for the technologysector, and the Council’s membership directory.Average Monthly Site Visits in 2016: 4,430TechConnect MagazineThe Council uses aproactive public relations(PR) program led byPhoenix-based marketingcommunications andPR firm TechTHiNQ.The strategic effortstrengthens theCouncil’s brand in themedia and positions theCouncil as the go-tosource for informationon the technologyindustry in Arizona. Asa commentator andanalyst, President CEOSteven G. Zylstra’s regularcolumns in the PhoenixBusiness Journal andAZ Business magazinehelp contribute to theoverall publicity for thetechnology industry andtechnology businessesin Arizona. In 2016, theCouncil issued 26 pressreleases announcing newssuch as its participationin the annual CompTIADC Fly-In to Washington,DC and the finalists of theGovernor’s Celebrationof Innovation awards,resulting in 119 stories inthe media. Additionally,Zylstra was asked tocontribute to multiplenational and localpublications regardinghot topics in technologyin 2016. Some of thepublications includedForbes, The ArizonaRepublic, the ArizonaCapitol Times and more.Also, Zylstra was publishedin AZ Green LivingMagazine. In the article, herecognized the fantasticwork of council memberSolar Pool Technologiesfor winning the SimpleSolutions Summit startupcompetition.Number of press releasesin 2016: 26Number of publishedstories in 2016: 119The Council continued its partnership with the ArizonaCommerce Authority as co-publishers of TechConnectin 2016. What began in 2005 as a print publication hasevolved into a digital quarterly that provides news aboutthe latest industry trends and issues that are shapingArizona’s evolving technology ecosystem. The themes forthe year were Innovation, Cybersecurity, Space and Place,and The Future. Helping tell the stories were playersranging from entrepreneurs heading their own startups touniversity-based researchers. Readers also kept abreast ofa variety of topics between editions with the companionTechConnect blog.Number of issues in 2015: 4Total circulation: 25,000InBusinessReaders of InBusiness magazine had the opportunityto track the Council’s growth and success through aneight-page editorial section that appeared three timesin 2016. Activities and events were covered by DonRodriguez, who marked his 10th year with the Council.Whether it was an update on activities at the Capitol orthe statewide impact of the SciTech Festival, InBusinessreaders were able to sample a cross-section of whatthe Council has to offer members and the community.Average Monthly Circulation: 57,000
ANNUAL REPORT 2016/ 13AZ Business MagazineTechTalk Email NewsletterTechFlashSocial MediaReaders of AZ Business magazinereceive in-depth news and analysison Arizona’s technology communityprovided by the Arizona TechnologyCouncil President CEO Steven G.Zylstra. Since 2012, Zylstra has authoredhis technology column for each issueof the bimonthly magazine focusingon various technology sectors, notableleaders, important news, publicpolicy and more. The articles providehighlights on the success, opportunitiesand growth, as well as economic andpublic policy pain points within Arizona’stechnology industry.The expertly designed TechTalke-newsletter is published the secondWednesday of every month. Thenewsletter provides segments from theCouncil’s blog, videos and updates frommember companies, promotional news,and profiles on technology professionalsand annual sponsors.In 2016, the Phoenix Business Journalinvited the Council to contribute toTechFlash, the Journal’s weekly blogcolumn. Featuring industry thoughtleaders and influencers, the blog providesinsight into Arizona’s science andtechnology industry. The blog is read bymore than 14,000 each week.The Council loves to engage with ourmembers on social media platformsincluding Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and,new in 2016, Instagram. We use thesechannels to communicate Council news,industry information, advertise events,and promote the many accomplishmentsmade by our amazing members.Number of Total Recipients in 2016:86,080Number of Newsletters Sent in 2016: 8GUEST BLOGGERS IN 2016Circulation: 25,000Steven G. Zylstra,Arizona Technology CouncilMary Juetten, TraklightEric Miller, PADT Inc.Kjell Stakkestad, KinetX AerospaceRuss Yelton, Pinnacle TransplantTechnologiesFACEBOOKNumber of Likes in 2016: 2,621Increase in Number of Likes from 2015:956LINKEDINCompany page followers in 2016: 1,659Increase in company page followers from2014: 32%TWITTER @AZTECHCOUNCILNumber of Followers in 2016: 2,006Increase in Number of Followers from 2015:347INSTAGRAM @AZTECHCOUNCILNumber of Followers in 2016: 354Number of Posts in 2016: 195
14 /ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCILTECH EMPLOYMENTLocalWork.com Career CenterIn 2016, the Council launched its partnership with Arizonabased LocalWork.com to manage its official CareerCenter. LocalWork.com is an employment advertisingplatform that helps companies attract talent by leveragingtheir company culture. As part of the relationship,members can post their jobs for free. Each member’s jobposting will be promoted on the AZTC Career Centerportal as well as 50 local and national job boards.IT Workforce DevelopmentThe Arizona Technology Council, in partnershipwith the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), wasextremely active in local IT workforce development in2016, with initiatives including CSforAll, TechHire, andCommunities that Work Partnership.The Council and the ACA were chosen along with sixother regional teams nationally to participate in theCommunities that Work Partnership peer learning andleadership work facilitated by the Aspen Institute’sWorkforce Strategies Initiative and FutureWorks. Thework in labor market analysis accomplished by theArizona group was highlighted in the 2016 Communitiesthat Work Partnership Playbook, highlighting our abilityto collect valuable data from leaders in occupationsacross many industries. We contracted a third-partyfacilitator to use interactive technology to engagebusiness leaders and collect detailed information aboutworkforce needs.With coding and other computer-based operationsbecoming integral parts of today’s world, the Councilgot behind President Barack Obama’s mission toempower K-12 students to learn computer science,Computer Science for All (CSforAll). Council President CEO Steven G. Zylstra attended a CSforAll meetingat the White House, where he heard U.S. ChiefTechnology Officer, Megan Smith, rave about theArizona Technology Council Foundation’s Chief ScienceOfficers program. She said this program has studentsspearheading science activities at their schools andrecommended it as a good model to follow.Another initiative set forth by President Obama isTechHire, which the state of Arizona joined in Decemberof 2016 through the combined leadership of theCouncil and the ACA. We worked to create a coalitionof organizations like Pima and Maricopa Counties,Arizona State University, The University of Arizona, Pimaand Maricopa Community Colleges, the University ofAdvancing Technology, Goodwill, the Salvation Army,and the State of Arizona Office of Economic Opportunityto collect funding and resources for job developmentefforts. Our mission is to provide job training andeducation to the disenfranchised and undereducatedyouth in our state.
ANNUAL REPORT 2016TechTerra ProgramTechTerra Program Technology RecyclingDay EventsArizona Technology Council members can haveunwanted electronics picked up and recycled at nocharge throughout the year as part of the Council’sTechTerra Recycling Program.In 2016, more than 172,000 pounds of unwantedelectronic equipment was picked up from membercompanies and recycled. These donations aretax-deductible and a percentage of all proceedsgoes to support the Arizona Technology CouncilFoundation’s STEM initiatives.This program is in partnership withWesTech Recyclers, a Phoenixbased electronic recycling andasset management company,Over the course of threeTechnology Recycling Dayevents in 2016, more than48,000 pounds of electronicequipment was recycled fromCouncil member companiesthat hosted donation drops attheir facilities.In 2016, more than 172,000pounds of unwantedelectronic equipment waspicked up fro
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