The Phoenix Convention Center lionized the most innovative tech leaders as they were recognized and awarded for their achievements. The Arizona tech communities’ premier awards event of the year honored technology leaders and innovators from across the state of Arizona at the 2021 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation on October 13th.
The Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority, hosted the 18th annual semi black-tie event. Nearly 850 attendees from across the state, enjoyed an evening of networking, dining, and celebrating Arizona’s tech leaders.
Dr. Patrick Marcus, President of Marcus Engineering shared, “Bringing our tech community together helps celebrate and encourage our high-tech companies and their leaders. Equally important, these events help highlight the importance and impact of these ecosystems to our regional and state leadership allowing them insight into what’s driving the state economy.”
The event spotlighted the resilient character of Arizona’s technology sector. The Innovator of the Year winners from four different categories were exceptional displays of Arizona’s ability to not only persevere, but forge tremendous advances in their sector. The four Innovator of the Year category winners are as follows: Innovator of the Year, Startup Company: EnPower, Inc. out of Phoenix, Arizona makes high-density lithium-ion batteries; Innovator of the Year, Small Company: GT Medical Technologies Inc., out of Tempe, Arizona makes surgically implanted devices that combat brain tumors with radiation; Innovator of the Year, Large Company: Aligned, out of Phoenix, Arizona operates a large data center; Innovator of the Year, Academia: Jim Schwiegerling, Ph.D., out of the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences, developed an implantable cataract replacement lens.
As the business realm of technology continues to adapt to the effects of the pandemic, business leaders are lynch pins to the ecosystem’s ability to innovate. The company and business leadership award winners are as follows: Judge’s Award: Qwick, a platform for on-demand staffing company out of Phoenix, Arizona; Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year Award: Intel Corp., out of Chandler, Arizona; Lifetime Achievement Award: Phil Gallagher, CEO of Avnet, out of Phoenix, Arizona; Transformational Leadership Award: Howard Stewart, CEO of AGM Container Controls out of Tucson, Arizona.
Dr. Patrick Marcus feeling a special kinship to Howard Steward shared ”I’m thrilled that Howard won the award. I think he sets an example of behavior for CEOs at small companies and acts a beacon for the rest of us to follow as we attempt to build not good, but great companies.” As Arizona continues to make its mark on the global map of leading tech ecosystems, awards and tech showcases are key elements to cultivating a culture of growth and innovation.
