2021 – A Whirlwind Year of Growth in Review E21
Over the past year, Arizona has gained global recognition for its thriving technology ecosystem. Despite being on the tail end of a pandemic and facing supply chain challenges, Arizona has rapidly become an epicenter for electric vehicles, semiconductor manufacturing and many other rising industries. In fact, the growing number of technology companies calling Arizona home, as well as an increase of available jobs and competitive wages, are cementing Arizona’s role as a vibrant technology hub.
In the Arizona Technology Council’s December 2021 episode of TechCast, Phoenix Business RadioX owner and president Karen Nowicki was joined by Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC); Joe Snell, president and CEO of Sun Corridor, Inc.; Vic Narusis, senior vice president of Business Development at the Arizona Commerce Authority; and Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council to not only reflect on the obstacles and victories of 2021 but predict what is in store for 2022.
Throughout this hour-long episode, this panel of economic development leaders agreed that 2021 seemed to be the beginning of the return to normalcy. After a year of small business closures and widespread uncertainty, 2021 was defined by resiliency and bouncing back. The experts also agreed unanimously on another positive note: when compared to other states across the country, Arizona is ahead of the curve in terms of economic recovery.
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), named the top economic development organization (EDO) globally in 2021 by the International Economic Development Council, works to attract and grow quality businesses and advocate for the competitiveness of Greater Phoenix.
A data-driven regional EDO, GPEC works with 22 member communities, Maricopa County and more than 200 private investors to accomplish its mission and serve as a strategic partner to companies across the world as they expand or relocate to Greater Phoenix. Over the past 32 years GPEC has fueled the regional economy by helping 895 companies, creating nearly 164,000 jobs and $33.4 billion in capital investment.
Greater Phoenix is in a relentless pursuit of innovative and entrepreneurial-focused companies looking to thrive and scale in a vibrant, dynamic region. There is an undeniable spirit about Greater Phoenix; one rooted in strength, collaboration and resilience. Greater Phoenix is Greater Together.
Chris Camacho serves as president & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), one of the longest-standing public-private partnerships for economic development across the country.
As Chief Executive, Chris leads the development and execution of the region’s strategic economic strategy, oversees domestic and international business development, and ensures the market position remains competitive through coordination with partner organizations, private sector leaders, and municipal and state leadership.
He has led the attraction of more than 460 companies during his tenure, creating nearly 85,000 jobs and $24 billion in capital investment. Some notable projects include TSMC, Apple, Silicon Valley Bank, Microsoft, GoDaddy, Yelp, Amazon, Garmin, General Motors, ElectraMeccanica, Zoom, HelloFresh, and headquarters including Benchmark Electronics, Carlisle Companies and Rogers Corporation.
In October 2021, GPEC was named the top economic development organization globally by the International Economic Development Council.
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Sun Corridor Inc. is a transformative economic development organization representing one of the most dynamic and growing major business centers in North America.
Located in Southern Arizona and encompassing four counties (Pinal, Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochise), Sun Corridor Inc. is a CEO-driven regional alliance whose members aggressively champion mega-regional issues that impact economic competitiveness and quality of life.
The organization has helped to drive significant business investment into the Tucson and Southern Arizona region through primary job creation, resulting in an economic impact of $30.6 billion.
As the first President & CEO of Sun Corridor Inc., Joe Snell brings over 30 years of experience leading regional private economic development organizations in communities of various sizes. His knowledge on building strategic, competitive and balanced economic development efforts have resulted in Snell being nationally recognized for creating strong economies.
Sun Corridor Inc. is a transformative economic development organization representing Southern Arizona. Under Snell’s leadership, Sun Corridor Inc. has helped facilitate significant investment and job creation resulting in an economic impact of $25 billion to the regional economy. In 2015, Snell led the re-engineering of the organization resulting in a name change, new brand and expanded mission.
In his previous position as President of the Metro Denver Network, Snell developed critical infrastructure and strategies that resulted in Metro Denver being recognized as one of the fastest growing markets in the United States. Snell has established new economic development corporations and reengineered struggling organizations in several communities in the Southwest and Midwest.
Snell is a frequently requested speaker and lecturer on economic development and competitive issues. He is a former faculty member of the Arizona Economic Development Course and the International Economic Development Council. Snell is a regular contributor to various international and national media publications.
In 2019, Snell received the Global Visionary Award from BizTucson Magazine. Snell was named Father of the Year by the Father’s Day Council Tucson in 2019. In 2017 and 2018, Snell was recognized by Arizona Business Magazine for his leadership and contributions to the Arizona economy. The Arizona Economic Development Association has recognized Snell for “Deal of the Year” on two occasions in the last five years.
On March 28, 2002, Governor Bill Owens of Colorado honored Snell by proclaiming the day as Joe Snell Day throughout the state. Snell was named as Economic Developer of the Year in 1999 by the Economic Developers Association of Colorado.
Snell holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska. He is married and has three children.
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.
Vic Narusis is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for the Arizona Commerce Authority, and has been with the ACA since 2019. Vic oversees the ACA’s Business Development Team, who are responsible for bringing businesses to Arizona and assisting companies in Arizona to grow and thrive. Vic and his team conduct site selection and coordinate local communities, utilities, education, workforce and logistics partners to identify and solve business needs. Vic also manages the ACA’s Foreign Trade/FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) and the ACA’s Film and Digital Media teams.
Vic is an economic development professional with over 20 years’ experience working in previous roles in Illinois, six years in real estate development and 18 years in commercial banking.
In the past year, Vic and his team have been instrumental in winning historic and notable projects for Arizona including ElectraMeccanica, KORE Power, Intel and more, creating thousands of projected jobs for Arizonans.
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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.
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