Arizona Commerce Authority – 10 Years of Growth Re-Imagined E16
This episode of AZTechCast features three members of the ACA’s leadership team: Andy Lombard, Executive Vice President of Innovation and Venture Development; Jena Coolidge McGovern, SVP of Marketing and Communications; Brian Sherman, Chief Innovation Officer. These dedicated leaders are ushering in a new era of economic development — the passionate pursuit of business, the creation of jobs and the stimulation of the economy to benefit all of Arizona.
Moderated by Phoenix Business RadioX, a distinguished panel of business leaders from the Arizona Commerce Authority will join Arizona Technology Council CEO Steve Zylstra to discuss how this successful agency has evolved over the last 10 years, the monumental success it has achieved to improve the state for business and innovation, and the future of economic development in Arizona.
From its inception, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) has been guided by some of the best minds in private industry, the legislature and state universities. This unique collaboration has been one of the chief strengths of the ACA, and the work of the last 10 years would not be possible without the time, leadership and dedication of many individuals.
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy.
The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: recruit, grow, create – recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to grow their business in Arizona and beyond; and partner with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries. The ACA is overseen by a prestigious public-private sector board of directors bringing together industry, academia and government.
Chaired by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, the board is comprised of the state’s most prominent private-sector business leaders, university and community college presidents, and elected officials.
To learn more, visit www.azcommerce.com.
Andy Lombard serves as Executive Vice President of Innovation and Venture Development for the Arizona Commerce Authority. Prior to joining the ACA full time, he was a Technical Advisor for entrepreneurship. As part of his passion for entrepreneurship, Mr. Lombard helped construct the ACA’s $3 million annual business plan competition, the Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC). Since its inception seven years ago, more than 1,200 technology start-ups have participated in the Challenge, which has resulted in approximately $20 million of invested, non-dilutive capital. He also created and has led Venture Ready, the ACA’s tech start-up mentoring program.
Prior to his work with the ACA, Mr. Lombard spent 14 years at Motorola, leading its Asia wireless business. During that time, he advanced to the director of Motorola Ventures, where he was responsible for managing a $750 million portfolio of technology investments while serving on 22 boards in six countries.
Following Motorola, he joined Silicon Valley tech company Adaptive Broadband, where he led strategy and mergers & acquisitions in a highly successful turnaround which saw the stock price increase to $205 from $6 in 24 months.
In 2000, he founded airBand Communications, a broadband wireless start-up backed by Battery Ventures, Sevin Rosen Funds and Cisco, with $76 million in capital raised, building the company to a more than $400 million valuation. Mr. Lombard has founded two additional venture-backed startups during his career.
Mr. Lombard has earned several recognitions and honors for his work, including Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist; CEO of the Year – CEO World Awards 2014; Executive of the Year, Network Products Guide 2013; Selected by President George W. Bush to serve on the Presidential High-Tech CEO Forum; and Red Herring Top 10 Wireless Startups 2002 for airBand.
Mr. Lombard also volunteers extensive time to mentoring entrepreneurs, community activities and is a volunteer National Ski Patrol for Brighton Ski Resort in Utah.
Mr. Lombard has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Missouri and a degree in Executive Management & Finance from Stanford University.
Jena Coolidge McGovern is the Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications at the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA).
In this role, McGovern enthusiastically leads the ACA’s marketing and communications team and provides oversight, vision and strategy to all marketing functions.
She previously served as the Vice President, Digital Marketing & Communications at the ACA where she worked in close collaboration with the EVP of Strategy to lead an integrated approach to all marketing and communications projects, as well as developed agency-wide marketing strategies and digital marketing enhancements.
Brian Sherman serves as the Chief Innovation Officer of the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Brian approaches economic development as a social entrepreneur, startup evangelist and bureaucracy hacker. He believes human-inspired, market-leveraged, data-driven entrepreneurship can create a better world.
His work is focused on public sector strategy, technology-based economic development, entrepreneurship, early-stage capital formation and technology commercialization, as well as innovation in public policy, strategy and finance.
Brian is a 20+ year public service veteran serving in executive positions at the Arizona Technology Council, Arizona State University, the Town of Gilbert, the State of Arizona and on the founding team of the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Brian has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography/Geographic Information Systems and an MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
Follow Arizona Commerce Authority on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About AZ TechCast
AZ TechCast is dedicated to covering innovation and technology in Arizona and beyond.
Through the art of connected conversation, AZ TechCast’s guests will share their expertise, 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 the state’s growing technology ecosystem.
About Your Hosts
Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.
Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.
Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.
Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.
Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.
In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.
Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.
About Our Sponsor
The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.
A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.
Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
