AZ TechCast

Staying Resilient: How to Protect Your Business from Disruptions EP57

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 
 
 

Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women for the Future of Work EP56

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’s Space Odyssey: Leading the Final Frontier EP55

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.
 

Future Innovators: Shaping Arizona's STEM Legacy E54

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!

Tech-Driven Retirement: The Benefits of 401(k) MEP Programs for Employers and Employees E53

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.

Connecting Communities: The Impact of BEAD Funding on Internet Access E52

Connecting Communities: The Impact of BEAD Funding on Internet Access E52 In the latest episode of AZ Tech Cast, hosts Steve Zylstra and Karen Nowicki discuss the impact of BEAD funding on internet access in Arizona with experts Sandip Bhowmick, Ben Elkins, and Kelly LeBlanc. Steve and Karen introduce the Arizona Technology Council's role in […] The post Connecting Communities: The Impact of BEAD Funding on Internet Access E52 appeared first on Business RadioX ®.

Cybersecurity: Its Importance & the Impact of AI E51

Cybersecurity: Its Importance & the Impact of AI E51 This episode of AZ TechCast explores cybersecurity's pivotal role and AI's transformative impact, hosted by Steve Zylstra and Karen Nowicki. Guests Mark Dallmeier, JR Garcia, and Helen Patton emphasize proactive cybersecurity strategies and the dual nature of AI in enhancing threat detection while posing governance challenges. […] The post Cybersecurity: Its Importance & the Impact of AI E51 appeared first on Business RadioX ®.

Tech & Government: Behind the Scenes with Local Business Leaders E50

Tech & Government: Behind the Scenes with Local Business Leaders E50 In the 50th episode of Az TechCast, Karen Nowicki and Paisley Coxsey host a discussion on government contracting with Lisa Rehurek, Jenny Servo, and Sonia Vohnout, highlighting the nuances of state and local contracts, SBIR, and STTR programs. Lisa, Jenny, and Sonia stress the […] The post Tech & Government: Behind the Scenes with Local Business Leaders E50 appeared first on Business RadioX ®.