Workforce Development: Cultivating Arizona’s Tech Talent Future E13
While technology and innovation bring new solutions to life, it can sometimes result in unforeseen challenges and opportunities. Although the IT and cybersecurity industry is the fastest-growing sector in the state, there are currently more than 7,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in Arizona alone. As a result of this exponential sector growth, many of Arizona’s IT and cyber companies are faced with a huge talent gap. For Arizona to fulfill its destiny as a world-class tech hub, it will need to prioritize an outcome-driven approach to meet industry and employer needs in IT and cybersecurity.
Moderated by Phoenix Business RadioX, a distinguished panel of tech leaders recently joined AZTechCast for an engaging discussion on scalable solutions and comprehensive resources to not only address Arizona’s tech-talent shortage, but to create a digital destination to explore career opportunities, internships, apprenticeships, training programs and scholarships to build the region’s talent pipeline and close the gap between students and industry.
Arizona’s tech industry is thriving! Unfortunately, the sector is challenged by a shortage of skilled IT and cybersecurity professionals. To maintain the state’s trajectory and economic recovery, a group of distinguished tech leaders shared insight on the specific jobs that are the most in-demand in Arizona’s tech sector, what outcome-driven approaches Arizona companies and key 
stakeholders are taking to address this tech-talent deficit, as well as the collaborative efforts that are helping to drive meaningful workforce development for Arizona’s IT/cyber sector.
The Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance, Inc. (ACTRA) serves as the hub for collaborative cyber information sharing in a neutral environment of trust where partners from industry, academia, law enforcement and intelligence come together, leveraging cross-sector resources to more effectively analyze critical, real-time intelligence and respond to emerging cyber threats to Arizona’s Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources. Visit https://www.actraaz.org to learn more.
Frank Grimmelmann serves as President & CEO for the Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance (ACTRA), a non-profit entity, that was developed collaboratively with the FBI’s Arizona InfraGard Program and independently launched in 2013 to enable its private/public sector members to enable themselves to respond to the escalating national cybersecurity threat.
Grimmelmann co-chairs Gov. Doug Ducey’s AZ Cybersecurity Team (ACT) and is a founding member of President Obama’s National ISAO Leadership Group at the University of Texas San Antonio.
As ACTRA’s leader, Grimmelmann was the first private-sector representative in the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center on its executive board. He has held C-level positions in finance, health care and government, focusing on cybersecurity in response to 9/11. He holds an MBA in finance/international business from UC Berkeley, and a BA in operations with a business law minor from the University of South Florida.
Pipeline AZ is a career development and exploration platform designed for the Arizona community, to create more pathways to in-demand careers by connecting the dots between industry and education.
Pipeline AZ uses skills mapping technology to help job seekers begin a new path, level-up in their existing careers, explore work or work-based learning opportunities, and discover new passions that change their career trajectory.
For employers, Pipeline AZ is a valuable recruiting tool that features high-quality candidate matching, free job posting, and white-glove concierge case management service to assemble candidate pools with the skills needed to build their talent pipeline. Learn more at PipelineAZ.com.
Katherine Pappas is an executive leader with 17+ years of experience designing workforce strategies, wellbeing focused environments, enhancing and transforming culture, innovating and streamlining relevant strategies and developing people.
Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn and follow PEI Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a private and family-owned university that merges the values of the traditional academy with the modern technology campus, a fusion that enhances its ability to fulfill the mission of educating students in the fields of advancing technology who innovate for the future. 
At the heart of UAT’s curricula is a technology-infused campus in Tempe, Arizona. This fusion of the traditional academy with the technology-focused curricula creates a distinct, non-exclusionary university in which students learn to value their own uniqueness and the power of technology in education. Visit https://www.uat.edu to learn more.
Provost Bolman has focused his career upon the profound need for a substantial and diverse workforce within Arizona and the nation.
As its long-standing provost, Dr. Bolman has built the University of Advancing Technology (UAT) into a unique, all-STEM institution that marries the best of a traditional, small, private college with the genetics of innovation that come with agile technology organizations.
As an educator, he has focused on cultivating a base of technology students and future inventors. As a technologist, he has worked to create a university where the culture of innovation and creation is so regular and celebrated that the goal for each student is to graduate having worked on numerous teams and built complete solutions again and again.
Dr. Bolman has researched, written and spoken on the nature of technology and how to successfully lead innovation. He is an alumni of Valley Leadership and currently serves as its past board chair. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Technology Council and the AZPBS community board.
Follow UAT 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.
