Arizona Technology Council and Arizona Commerce Authority Announce 2025 GCOI Legislator Award Honorees

PHOENIX - EntSun -- The Arizona Technology Council, in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, today announced the recipients of the 2025 Governor's Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) Outstanding Technology Senator of the Year, Outstanding Technology Representative of the Year and Tech Ten Champions awards.

Awardees will be honored at GCOI, which brings together the state's leading innovators, business executives and policymakers to celebrate Arizona's vibrant technology ecosystem and innovation achievements. The annual event will be held Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 4:45 to 8:30 p.m. at Chateau Luxe, 1175 E. Lone Cactus Drive, Phoenix.

"These legislative leaders have been instrumental in ensuring Arizona remains one of the nation's top destinations for technology growth," said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Council and SciTech Institute. "We're proud to recognize their continued commitment to advancing innovation, growing the STEM workforce and strengthening our state's global competitiveness."

"We are proud to recognize these outstanding legislators at this year's GCOI for their unwavering commitment to advancing Arizona's technology future," said Sandra Watson, president and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. "Their dedicated efforts will ensure Arizona's innovation ecosystem continues to thrive, and the state remains a premier destination to develop, test and scale next-generation technologies."

The winners of the 2025 GCOI legislator awards and their current districts are:

Outstanding Technology Representative of the Year

• Rep. Walt Blackman, District 7: Blackman is a strong advocate for rural Arizona, focusing on workforce development opportunities for residents and students. He supports policies that foster innovation, help small businesses thrive and expand access to high-paying jobs. He believes strengthening the economy is crucial to building a state where opportunity is abundant and accessible to all. As part of that mission, he championed funding to ensure every student has access to computer science education and teachers receive the professional development needed to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. He has been a strong proponent of the Council's agenda.

Outstanding Technology Senator of the Year

• Sen. Tim Dunn, District 25: Dunn combines his passion for agriculture and technology to advance Arizona's economic development. He understands the balance between rural and urban communities in the state's overall economy and has long supported technology industry initiatives. Addressing Arizona's water challenges is among his top priorities, ensuring the economy can grow while protecting the rural way of life. He helped pass legislation bringing automation and innovation to the agricultural industry and expanding broadband access in rural areas. He also has helped advance career and technical education legislation to ensure students are prepared for the jobs of today and the future.

Tech Ten Champions

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Arizona House of Representatives

• Rep. Justin Wilmeth, District 2: Wilmeth has long been a champion of the tech community, and this year was no different. He has proven to be a pro-business, pro-technology conservative. He has advocated and supported policies that drive innovation in Arizona, including leading efforts related to the Arizona Space Commission and its strategic plan, supporting funding for applied research centers, and securing key research funding to benefit veterans. He also has championed the establishment of trade offices in several countries to support economic prosperity across the state.
• Rep. Sarah Ligouri, District 5: Liguori is a thoughtful legislator who recognizes the value that the technology community brings to Arizona. She serves as the ranking Democrat on the Science and Technology Committee and has supported legislation that drives the state's technology sector forward. She is also a strong advocate for public education. She understands the importance of providing clean air and quality water to secure a future that works for all Arizonans, including supporting the transition to clean energy and ensuring Arizona draws down all available federal resources to achieve that goal.
• Rep. Jeff Weninger, District 13: Weninger has significantly advanced the technology agenda in Arizona during his tenure as a legislator. As chairman of the House Commerce Committee, he works to keep regulation from hindering innovation and supports policies that promote economic development and create high-quality, high-paying jobs for Arizonans. He introduced legislation addressing issues such as government-seized digital assets, establishment of the Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Commission and management of abandoned digital assets.
• Rep. Cesar Aguilar, District 26: Aguilar has been a consistent supporter of the technology agenda and prioritizes funding public education, from pre-kindergarten through college, to help provide students and families with greater educational and workforce opportunities. He sponsored legislation to bring career and technical education opportunities to middle schoolers. Such forward-thinking legislation is crucial to keeping Arizona competitive in an ever-evolving technology economy. He is also a strong advocate for addressing the affordable housing supply shortage to ensure workers and their families have the resources they need for upward mobility and success.
• Rep. Tony Rivero, District 27: Rivero has returned to the Legislature and continued his previous support for the technology and business community. He currently serves as the chairman of the International Trade Committee and prioritizes making sure Arizona has good trading partners and relationships across the globe. He has provided a platform for speakers to educate the Legislature on important topics such as tariffs and the importance of international trade. In the last session he was a strong advocate for advancing legislation to ensure Axon remained headquartered in Arizona, as well as other pro-technology measures.

Arizona Senate

• Sen. Shawnna Bolick, District 2: Bolick is a pro-business conservative who strives to keep regulations from hindering companies. She currently serves as chairwoman of the Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee, where she has advanced legislation to that end. During her tenure at the Capitol, she has introduced important bills addressing issues such as data security breaches and blockchain technology. In the last session, she sponsored a bill leveraging innovation to streamline project approvals in local jurisdictions, saving both companies and local governments time and money.
• Sen. Priya Sundareshan, District 18: Sundareshan, the current Senate minority leader, advocates making Arizona a leader in renewable energy, balancing water resources through conservation and efficiency, and fully funding public schools. She is a staunch supporter of water conservation policies and works to advance renewable energy initiatives while opposing legislation that stifles clean energy innovation. She played a key role in negotiations for the "Ag to Urban" bill, which enabled the responsible conversion of agricultural land into urban development while ensuring water security for all Arizonans.
• Sen. David Gowan, District 19: Gowan has proven to be a champion of the business community during his time in office. He has been instrumental in extending key economic development tools essential to the growth of the technology industry and supports lowering the tax burden on businesses while reducing red tape. Most recently, Gowan championed funding for the Office of Defense Innovation, which drives advancements in defense technologies in Arizona, and helped spearhead legislation ensuring Axon remained headquartered in the state.
• Sen. Brian Fernandez, District 23: Fernandez is a dedicated advocate for his district, working to ensure everyone in his rural community and across Arizona has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. With a background in software development, he understands the technology industry is vital to Arizona's economy. He supports increased funding for STEM education and community colleges, recognizing their importance in addressing the talent needs of Arizona's innovative companies. He sponsored legislation that would have established a pilot program allowing high school teachers to participate in STEM and vocational training to better equip students for future tech careers. He also champions investment in safe, reliable infrastructure; sustainable water; and renewable energy for all Arizonans.
• Sen. Frank Carroll, District 28: Carroll has demonstrated a strong understanding of the technology community and its impact on economic development during his tenure as a legislator. As a member of the Senate leadership team, he has helped advance bills that support innovation and growth. He created the Urban Air Mobility Study Committee and most recently passed legislation requiring the Department of Transportation to develop or update a statewide aviation plan for advanced air mobility infrastructure. Ensuring Arizona's infrastructure needs are met has been a top priority, as he continues to advocate key investments and a long-term strategic plan to support Arizona's growth and transportation needs.

The legislators will be recognized on stage during the GCOI awards ceremony, where Arizona's most influential business, technology and community leaders will gather to honor innovation excellence. GCOI also will feature a networking reception and dinner to highlight this year's outstanding contributions to Arizona's technology industry.

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Tickets for the 2025 Governor's Celebration of Innovation are available at aztechcouncil.org/event/2025-governors-celebration-of-innovation-awards.