Electrifying: The Future of Vehicle Transportation and Mobility E8
Innovative companies are playing a significant role in enabling the growth of the state’s transportation electrification market and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. As technology for self-driving cars and electric vehicles become more advanced, concerns on infrastructure challenges abound.
Moderated by Phoenix Business Radio Owner & President Karen Nowicki, distinguished guests from Nikola Motor Company and the Arizona Commerce Authority shared their insight and expertise on the impact of modern transportation on communities, how the EV market is changing the automotive industry, the promise and pitfalls of autonomous driving, and the necessary infrastructure needed to bring it from sci-fi to total reality.
Think autonomous driving and electric vehicles are the future? Actually, they are the present and it’s electrifying!
Headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA) is a technology disruptor working to develop innovative energy and transportation solutions while paving the way for a zero emissions future.
A global leader in zero-emissions transportation systems is transforming the transportation industry, Nikola designs and manufactures battery-electric and hydrogen-electric vehicles, electric vehicle drivetrains, vehicle components, energy storage systems and hydrogen station infrastructure.
Founded in 2015, Nikola is driven to revolutionize the economic and environmental impact of commerce as we know it today.
Andrew Christian is the Vice President of Defense and Business Development at Nikola Motor Company. He believes in the principle of “inspiring passionate people to innovate so the team can move at the speed of trust.” Christian retired from the United States Marine Corps with over 28 years of active duty service as a prior enlisted Marine and Officer. Christian, a Marine Special Operations Officer and combat veteran, has leveraged the principles of leadership, discipline, accountability and resiliency learned in combat and applied down range for building high-performance teams in the business world.
Christian has been on 14 deployments during his Military career. In 2012, Christian reported to Coronado, California for duty with the Navy SEAL Command. In 2014, Major Christian was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and commanded 1st Marine Raider Battalion from 2015-2017.
He deployed to Iraq in 2016 and commanded a Special Operations Task Force of Marine Raiders, U.S Army Special Operations Forces, and Navy SEALS during the battle to take back Mosul from ISIS. Lieutenant Colonel Christian’s personal awards include the Navy Marine Corps Heroism Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat Valor device, two Bronze Star Medals with Combat Valor devices, two Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat Valor devices, the Combat Action Ribbon with four Gold Stars.
Christian earned a BS in Criminal Justice from Lacrosse University and is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He recently graduated from Stanford University Graduate School LEAD program with a focus on Corporate Innovation. He is a six-time Ironman Triathlon finisher, avid cyclist and mountaineer.
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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: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries.
Dominic Papa is the Vice President of Smart State Initiatives at the Arizona Commerce Authority. In this role, Dominic leverages his expertise in emerging governance models and strategic partnerships to drive a broad portfolio of Smart State projects. In particular, he’s tasked with helping to lead the Institute for Automated Mobility (IAM).
Since coming to the ACA, Dominic has finalized MOUs to establish formal partnerships with the Greater Phoenix Smart Region Connective and the Southern Arizona Smart Region. Dominic also launched the Microsoft Imagine Academy Program for Vets, which provides veterans with digital skill certifications to prepare them for the 21st century digital economy.
Prior to the ACA, Dominic was Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Institute for Digital Progress (iDP), an innovation-driven, smart-city nonprofit. iDP provides the unified leadership structure to drive innovation through collaboration and empower governments with the mechanism to create, develop and deploy emerging technologies across jurisdictions, sectors and industries. iDP provides governments at all levels with tools, skills, and knowledge to leverage smart technologies together.
In 2016, Dominic built the Smart & Connected AZ Council, which provides cities with an “Innovation as a Service” model, a platform that allows local governments, private industry and academic research institutions to collaboratively design and develop new innovative technology pilots that advance solutions to public challenges, have a measurable impact, and the potential to scale. Within its first six months of operation, the Smart & Connected Council helped the region secure a $6 million DOT grant around congestion management technology.
Dominic founded iDP after working for two years with the city of Phoenix. Prior to the city, he worked for the Alliance for Innovation and ASU’s Center for Urban Innovation, where he worked hand in hand with city managers from across the county, helping them to challenge and transform their organizations in the midst of severe fiscal constraints. Prior to ASU, Dominic worked for the tech startup Integrate.
Dominic is currently a board member for the Phoenix Community Alliance and a member of the Phoenix Sister Cities Business Relations Committee. Dominic has a B.A. in Political Science and Italian, a M.A. in Public Administration, and a J.D. from the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
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About the Show
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.
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