Arizona's Top Innovators, Business Leaders and Educators Honored at 2025 Governor's Celebration of Innovation

PHOENIX - Amzeal -- The Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority announced the award winners of the 2025 Governor's Celebration of Innovation (GCOI), honoring the state's most impactful technology companies, leaders, educators and rising students. This year's winners and finalists were celebrated during a Nov. 12 gala at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix, marking another year of extraordinary achievements across Arizona's fast-growing innovation ecosystem.

"Arizona's pace of innovation has never been stronger, thanks to the vision and dedication of organizations and leaders like those we celebrated," said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Council and SciTech Institute. "Our 2025 awardees represent the best of Arizona's creativity, ingenuity and leadership in technology."

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"We're proud to partner with the Arizona Technology Council to celebrate the Governor's Celebration of Innovation awards and recognize the incredible innovations taking place in Arizona," said Sandra Watson, president and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. "Congratulations to this year's outstanding winners who are helping shape Arizona's innovation landscape."

2025 GCOI Award Winners

Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year: Per Scholas Phoenix

Judges Award: Flinn Foundation

People's Choice AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award: James Currier, president and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies

MSS Business Transformation Leader of the Year: Jeff Benck, president and CEO, Benchmark

Innovator of the Year – Large Company: Aligned Data Centers

Innovator of the Year – Small Company: Optical Support, Inc.

Innovator of the Year – Startup: JACE Sciences/RokPaper Packaging

Innovator of the Year – Academia: New Frontiers of Sound Science and Technology Center

The individual and company award winners were evaluated and chosen by the following members of a  selection committee of experts independent of the Council:

• Bob DeLean, Arizona Tech Investors
• Doug Hockstad, Tech Launch Arizona, The University of Arizona
• Eric Miller, PADT, Inc.
• Keith Latchaw, MSS Business Transformation Advisory

Winners of the 2025 Future Innovators of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards were announced  Sept. 17. These outstanding students and educators represent Arizona's next generation of STEM talent and innovation leadership.

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Additionally, winners of the GCOI Legislator Awards for Outstanding Technology Senator of the Year, Outstanding Technology Representative of the Year and Tech Ten Champions awards were disclosed Nov. 5. The state lawmakers were recognized for advancing Arizona's technology industry and supporting STEM education.