Arizona Technology Councilin collaboration with Arizona Commerce AuthorityThey announced their choice today 2022 Governor’s Innovation (GCOI) Tech Senator of the Year, Tech Representative of the Year and Top 10 Champion of Tech Legislators In recognition of their role in advancing technology in Arizona. The winning legislators are honored By GCOI Tuesday, November 8th from 4:00pm to 8:30pm at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St., West Building, Third Floor.
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“The Arizona Technology Council and our state’s technology community work closely with the state legislature to develop legislation that will foster our innovation ecosystem and economy.said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the council and SciTech Institute. “The senators and representatives on this list play a critical role in helping the House and its members grow Arizona’s technology industry, educate our future STEM leaders, and cut red tape for innovation. Thank you for your service.
“We recognize this exceptional group of legislators who are advocating for the future of technology in Arizona,” said Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson. “Their persistent efforts are strengthening Arizona’s technology industry and enhancing our attractiveness as a national innovation destination. We are grateful for your collective efforts to improve and expand Arizona’s technology landscape.
Arizona’s most prominent business leaders will celebrate the state’s technology innovation and leadership during GCOI, which will include an awards ceremony, networking and food. The event will include a walking dinner and tech show followed by a theater-style awards program. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://www.aztechcouncil.org/event/gcoi2022/
The winners of the 2022 GCOI Legislative Awards and their current districts are:
Tech Senator of the Year:
dream TJ Shoppe, District 8
Senator TJ Shoppe has been a longtime champion of the technology industry, particularly for technology companies to bring opportunities to the district and support proven economic development programs that will generate a significant return on investment for the state. His commitment has paid off for the district and beyond, with the expansion of the area attracting many technology companies and bringing high-quality jobs. He was also a strong advocate for transportation infrastructure and the impact it would have on the ability of Arizona companies to meet their transportation needs. Shope helped secure funding for the expansion of Interstate 10 and continues to work to meet Arizona’s long-term infrastructure needs.
Technology Representative of the Year:
Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, District 17
Representative Jennifer Pawlik has repeatedly helped pass the Council’s key legislative priorities. While education is her top priority, she understands the impact that proven incentives have on not only her district, but the entire Arizona economy. During her time in the Legislature, she has been instrumental in advocating for policies that attract and grow tech companies that bring high-wage, high-quality jobs not only to her district, but to her state, thereby generating additional dollars to help better fund. Education and other state priorities. She has been a strong advocate for more education dollars and has worked to end policies that are difficult to educate Arizona’s youth.
Tech 10 Legislators:
Senators:
Sen. Sean Bowie, District 18
Senator Sean Bowie has been a champion for the technology industry since his first election. He helped drive critical initiatives to make Arizona a tech hub. Support for innovative and proven economic development programs and a commitment to workforce development, community colleges and higher education have helped Arizona’s technology and business community thrive. He works across party lines to best serve the county and region. This session was critical to passing the Council’s priorities around education.
Senate Assistant Minority Leader Lupe Contreras, District 19
Senator Lupe Contreras has been a strong leader in the caucus for many years. He is a great advocate for education, business and the community. He works hard to ensure that every voice is heard and has been a supporter of the technology agenda, working to ensure that issues are judged based on the benefits of the programs rather than politics. It strives for a balanced approach to protect citizens’ safety and promote economic development. He worked with the caucus to advance proven economic development programs with a focus on education, housing and other caucus priorities.
Senate President Karen Phan, District 1
President Karen Phan continues to be a champion of the technology industry throughout her legislative term, supporting expansion of the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit program in her final legislative term. Although the priority didn’t cross the finish line this year, she fought to get companies to repurpose unused R&D tax credits and reinvest in areas like workforce development and water sustainability. She has always advocated for creating an environment in Arizona where the tech industry can grow and thrive.
Sen. David Gowan, 14th District
Senator David Gowan has always been an advocate for a balanced budget that includes the incentives needed to attract and retain both businesses and the workforce they need. He has helped promote and pass numerous economic development proposals that have demonstrated significant returns on investment for Arizona. This year was no different. Gowan has taken a thoughtful approach to his tenure and has been instrumental in securing opportunities for other key economic development tools essential to the growth of the technology industry this legislative session.
Sen. Kerr, District 13
Senator Sean Kerr was a champion for rural Arizona during his time in the Legislature. As the chairperson of the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee, she is leading the charge on various important areas of economic development. Water is and will continue to be a major concern in Arizona’s development. She was also a strong advocate for the Council’s priority STEM legislation to help create a comprehensive STEM ecosystem in the state, leveraging best practices and STEM opportunities in rural and urban Arizona areas.
Representatives:
Representative David Cook, District 8
Representative David Cook has proven to be a strong advocate for the interests of rural Arizona. During his time at home, he was a supporter of workforce development and education, particularly STEM in rural Arizona, and key issues such as water. He is a supporter of key council priorities and is working hard to bring high-quality, high-paying jobs to the district to ensure additional economic development programs and resources focused on rural Arizona. He also advocated for a conservative legislative budget, including paying down the state debt, to ensure the state’s best financial position in the event of a future recession, while aligning the importance of funding state priorities.
Diego Espinoza, District 19 Representative
Representative Diego Espinoza has been a strong leader in the caucus during his tenure, fighting for his constituents and working to move initiatives forward along the way. As a small business owner, you understand the regulatory and tax implications as well as the challenges businesses and communities have faced over the past two years due to the pandemic. Over the years, he has supported key policies to help the tech industry thrive and ensure businesses are good community partners. He advocates behind the scenes to help ensure the right policy is passed and harmful laws are defeated.
Representative Joel John, District 4
Representative Joel John has been a champion of the House by supporting our STEM Ecosystem proposal and supporting several priorities to ensure quality jobs are available in the district. Education was his main focus in the legislature and he was a strong advocate for increasing funding in public schools. He has also been instrumental in stopping legislation that has unintended negative consequences for Arizona students. Ensuring that all students have access to high-quality education leading to high-paying jobs and job opportunities have been his main missions.
Rep. Steve Kaiser, District 15
Representative Steve Kaiser is a conservative veteran who has proven to be a strong advocate for workforce development in his first term in the Legislature. He has been a champion of STEM education, sponsoring several pieces of legislation and leading advocacy efforts to restore STEM community college funding. He focused on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act as one of the legislative leaders responsible for fourth-year CTE funding and new programs to ensure access to adult education. Kaiser has proven to be a thoughtful legislator who embraces innovation in solving some of the government’s challenges.
Representative Justin Wilmette, District 15
Rep. Justin Wilmette has established himself as a rising star in his first term as a pro-business, pro-technology conservative. He has advocated and advocated for policies to ensure Arizona’s progress toward innovation, such as sponsoring legislation on cryptocurrency and blockchain research. He is a strong advocate for business and continues to drive funding for business offices with key business partners for Arizona and international business in our state. Wilmette is fighting for the elections by ensuring that the proposal will bring high-quality jobs to the state and any economic development programs will ensure that the state can pay for its priorities while keeping the taxes low, which will result in a high return on investment.
