In our July 2025 episode, we are joined by three outstanding guests who will share more about themselves shortly: Kate Lemke from Pipeline AZ, Jonathan Roll from ASU (and co-chair of the Council's Aerospace, Aviation, Space and Defense Committee), and Tom Wilson from SciTech Institute. Together, we’ll discuss the dynamic landscape of Arizona’s Aerospace, Aviation, Space, and Defense (AASD) sectors and how the growth in these industries has increased the demand for a skilled local workforce.

Our discussion focuses in on the collaborative efforts underway to build a future-ready AASD talent pipeline. From launching the AASD Industry Hub to developing innovative tools like skills maps and career pathways, these experts share how they’re bridging the gap between education and industry, and how employers can play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of Arizona’s high-tech workforce.

Here are some links to the people and organizations we spoke with:

• Pipeline AZ: pipelineaz.com/
• The SciTech Institute: scitechinstitute.org/
• ASU NewSpace: newspace.asu.edu/
• The AZ Tech Council AASD Committee: www.aztechcouncil.org/committees/aerospace-aviation-space-and-defense-committee/

You can view a video version of this and all of our episodes on our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@aztechcouncil

Learn more about the Arizona Technology Council and our upcoming events at: www.aztechcouncil.org Learn more about our sponsors, PADT, at: www.padtinc.com

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic buzzword, it’s a game-changer across nearly every industry. In this episode of AZ TechCast, hosts Steve Zylstra of the Arizona Technology Council and Eric Miller of PADT, Inc. sit down with Karuana Gatimu (Microsoft), Minky Kernacs (Mercurio Analytics Inc.), Niranjan Krishnan (FPT Software), and Chris Lucero (Luminos Innovation) to explore how AI and machine learning are transforming real-world business operations. From manufacturing to financial services, discover where AI is driving innovation, what challenges still lie ahead, and how organizations can responsibly implement these powerful technologies.

You can view a video version of this and all of our episodes on our YouTube Channel.

Learn more about the Arizona Technology Council and our upcoming events at: www.aztechcouncil.org

Learn more about our sponsors, PADT, at: www.padtinc.com

In an unpredictable world, businesses must prepare for disruptions, whether from cyberattacks, natural disasters or unexpected outages. But what’s the difference between disaster recovery and business continuity? In this episode of AZ TechCast, we’ll discuss the critical strategies that ensure business resilience with expert insights from Steve Copeland of RYTHMz, Joseph Cook of The Arizona Group and Jim Henry of Iron Mountain. From AI-driven outage prediction to the role of colocation data centers, our guests will unpack the key technologies and best practices for protecting operations and minimizing downtime.

RYTHMz: rythmz.com

The Arizona Group: arizonagroup.com

Iron Mountain: datacenter.ironmountain.com/iron-mountain-data-centers

You can view a video version of this and all of our episodes on our YouTube Channel

Learn more about the Arizona Technology Council and our upcoming events at: www.aztechcouncil.org

Learn more about our sponsors, PADT, at: www.padtinc.com

In this inspiring and first 2025 episode of AZ TechCast, hosts Eric Miller and Steve Zylstra welcome Kim McWaters, president & CEO of Fresh Start Women's Foundation, Abdu Dahr, vice president of strategic partnerships for Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and seasoned HR executive, Scott Holman of HHR Consulting to explore how Fresh Start empowers women to achieve self-sufficiency and thrive. Learn about the organization’s impactful career training programs, their partnerships with technology industry leaders like Intel, and the ripple effect supporting women has on families, workplaces and Arizona’s economy. Our guests will discuss how investing in women creates a win-win-win for employers, communities, and the workforce of the future across Arizona and beyond.

To listen to this episode, follow AZ TechCast on your favorite podcast platform or check out the Council’s YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you’ll be notified when the episode is posted.

Visit the Fresh Start Women's Foundation at: freshstartwomen.org

Learn about and register for their annual gala at: 2025 Fresh Start Annual Gala

Learn more about the Arizona Technology Council and our upcoming events at: www.aztechcouncil.org

Learn more about our sponsors, PADT, at: www.padtinc.com

Arizona is not just gazing at the stars—it’s building the future of space exploration. In this episode of AZ TechCast, industry trailblazers Jim Cantrell, founder of Phantom Space and a SpaceX founding team member, and Michael Mackowski, retired spacecraft engineer and space advocate, join us to explore Arizona’s dynamic role in the space industry. From pioneering satellites to shaping space policy, they’ll discuss how the state is driving innovation and opportunities in aerospace, making it a global hub for the final frontier.

This episode promises an inspiring journey into Arizona’s space ecosystem, exploring the technologies, policies, and people shaping our reach for the stars.

To listen to this episode, follow AZ TechCast on your favorite podcast platform or check out the Council’s YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you’ll be notified when the episode is posted.

In this October episode of AZ TechCast, hosts Steve Zylstra and Eric Miller sit down with three remarkable students recently named winners of the Council’s 2024 Future Innovators of the Year awards. These students will be honored at the Council’s upcoming Governor’s Celebration of Innovation in November. These young STEM leaders—Rishabh Sreepathy, Aditya Lakshminarasimhan and Brad Wu—will discuss their innovative projects, their passions and their aspirations for the future. Industry guests, including experts from ACESA (Arizona Council of Engineering and Scientific Associations) and Honeywell, will join the conversation to highlight the importance of education, workforce development and celebrating Arizona’s brightest STEM talents. Don't miss this inspiring episode!

In this episode of AZ TechCast, we’re joined as always by Arizona Technology Council President and CEO Steve Zylstra. Our guests today are Tom Tenney from Legacy Wealth Management and Sheila Kloefkorn from KEO Marketing. Together, we’re going to explore the Arizona Technology Council's 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) program. We’ll discuss the advantages of MEPs for employers and employees, current trends in the investment space, and the differences between ROTH IRAs and traditional 401(k) plans, among other topics. The conversation will also highlight how advancements in financial technology are transforming retirement investing, making it easier for companies and employees to manage their savings. Listen along to learn how Council members have benefited from these programs and stay updated on the latest in retirement savings innovation.