CIGARS AND SCOTCH DRAW TECH EXECS TO AeA ARIZONA EVENT

November 30, 2006 - It's tough to imagine that, with no-smoking legislation prevalent in the country, an event like AeA's Arizona Council Big Draw III could draw a crowd - but it always does.  Some of the Valley's most prominent business leaders joined AeA for its third annual Big Draw, cigar and scotch tasting.  The event, held at the Crown Room, was sponsored by Moreton and Company, along with Alliance Beverage and Ambassador Cigars. 

Bob Brilon, AeA Arizona Chair (right) with Nolan Straabe, C3IP Communications,
and Doug Bruhnke, Data Preserve Vice President

The event gave the top execs the chance to relax and discuss business trends without the pressures of e-mails, meetings and phone interruptions.  A single malt scotch, a few puffs on an Ashton Cabinet and a new business relationship is forged. 

Cory Miller, AeA Arizona Executive Director, held an AeA trivia contest to test the members knowledge of AeA and technology.  Guests were awarded prizes based on their knowledge of the organization.  A drawing was also held for a humidor which was won by Mike Ciavarella, President of Darcomm.

Keith Prettyjohns, President of Innovasic, a New Mexico AeA member, is a big winner at the trivia contest

Craig Kitchen, Principal with C3IP Communications,  take a final puff at another successful event!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER, HOWARD SCHMIDT, WARNS OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AT ARIZONA COUNCIL BCDR PROGRAM

September 28, 2006 - Howard Schmidt knows security.  His 40-year career has taken him from White House appointments to the FBI to top cyber security positions with E-Bay and Microsoft.  And the Arizona Council was privileged to have him speak at its "Ensuring Business Continuance" program on September 28, 2006. 

Howard Schmidt as Keynote

The purpose of the program was to create an awareness of the possibility of natural disaster, act of terrorism, pandemic or an action as common as a prolonged power outage - and how businesses can assure seamless connectivity with, and responsiveness to, their customers.  Panelists included Steve Piggott, Vice President, Sungard Availability Services; Chuck Vermillion, CEO, OneNeck IT Services; and Michael MacGhee, Partner with C3IP Communications.  The panel Moderator was Steve Schultz with Avnet. 

      
Steven Schultz, Panel Moderator with Panelists, Chuck Vermillion, Michael MacGhee and Steve Piggott

Chuck Vermillion,CEO, OneNeck IT Services

Representatives of private industry, non-profit and the government sectors were present to learn the steps to developing a plan of action in the event of disaster.  At the completion of the program, a special segment was set aside for government employees.  This discussion was lead by Galen Updike, Telecom Manager for the Government Information Technology Agency (GITA).

Preceding the event, top Valley CEO's gathered for an evening with Howard Schmidt at Morton's Steakhouse.  The evening, sponsored by the law firm Lewis and Roca, gave attendees the opportunity to get to the "meat" of security issues.

   
Bob Brilon, AZ Council Chair and Cory Miller, AZ  Executive Director with Howard Schmidt

Howard Schmidt and Cory Miller are joined by members of the prestigious law firm, Lewis & Roca,
which sponsored the dinner along with Moreton & Company.

Copies of the presentations follow:

 SunGard Presentation
OneNeck Presentation
C3IP Presentation

AeA COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF MEMBERS MEET WITH SENATOR McCAIN

June 6, 2006 - During a hectic week on the Hill, Senator John McCain set aside time to meet with Arizona and Southeast Council members and staff to discuss AeA's priorities and positions on key issues.  Among the topics on the agenda were net neutrality, competitiveness and education, Immigration Reform and specifically, H 1 B Visas.  AeA has established policies to promote  technological advancements on the State and National levels. 

Craig Kitchen, CEO of Global Energy Group, and Arizona Council Executive Director, Cory Miller, share the importance of investing in the future of technology through education with Senator McCain

McCain listened attentively to the strategies in place to maintain a competitive edge and shared his delight in attracting top technology companies and talent to the Valley. 

Senator John McCain and Executive Director, Cory Miller

Senator McCain, however, did not reveal if he would run for President in 2008!

2006 Legislative Watch

Arizona Legislative Update

June 8, 2006

Summary

Having resolved data security issues to AeA's liking, the only remaining issue is approval of an expanded research and development tax credit.  That all depends on the outcome of the current budget debate.  The lingering question is how to divvy up the state's $1 billion budget surplus.  The Republican majority is calling for tax cuts, while the Executive Branch appears to favor spending measures and one-time rebates.  AeA members have a tremendous stake in the outcome of the tax relief debate -- Proposals to reduce individual income taxes would benefit small-sized member companies, while proposals to reduce business property taxes would benefit member companies across the board.

State Budget

State Senate President Ken Bennett will meet with small groups of his caucus and bring them up to speed as to status of budget talks with Governor Napolitano. At a recent meeting Bennett stated, “We were unable to come to an agreement with the governor last night. We’re going to see if we can put together a budget that we can begin to move out of the Senate. I think the House is going to do the same.” He was asked that if leaders couldn’t reach an agreement with the governor, would a veto be expected, “I’m not going to expect a veto,” Bennett said. “I’m going to try to put together the best budget we can and send it up to her and rely on her to do what’s right for Arizona.” Bennett said to expect a vote on the budget today.

Business Tax Relief

Various mayors along with police and firemen groups protested against the tax relief bill currently working it’s way through the legislature that they say will eventually cut into state shared revenue.  Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says that if the bill passes in its current form, it will mean fewer dollars in fiscal year 2008 and beyond. He said the loss in funding will impact public safety budgets of municipalities across the state, and the consequences “will pass from the cities directly to the door of the Legislature.” Gordon said he was asking Governor Napolitano to veto the bill if it comes to her unchanged. Yuma Mayor Larry Nelson said his city is growing faster than any time in its history, necessitating the enactment of impact fees. Those fees, he said, have paid for new fire stations, which need to be staffed through state-shared revenue derived from income taxes. Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker, said, “All I’m asking the state Governor to be investigated.

In a report prepared in advance of tomorrow’s meeting of the Clean Elections Commission, Executive Director Todd Lang writes that he finds reason to believe the governor violated the Clean Elections Act and recommends an investigation be conducted. The charges stem from a complaint lodged in April by Glenn Hamer, executive director of the state Republican Party. Hamer claims Napolitano must have broken the law by launching what he termed a “sophisticated” website on March 1 – the same day she filed with the secretary of state. The governor’s lawyers filed a response saying the website development company performed services without a contract and the cost of their services should not be considered an expense until a bill for the services is due. Lang writes he is not persuaded by that reasoning and states that that definition of expenditure would undermine the Act’s reporting requirements, allowing candidates to circumvent the law by “artfully writing contracts.” By accepting “large benefits up front,” writes Lang, candidates could effectively avoid spending restrictions and use money they do not yet have. In her news conference this morning, Napolitano said she’s read the executive director’s analysis. “There’s a technical difference of opinion about when you can put up a Web site. We try mightily to abide by the commission’s rules. We think we have.”

R&D Tax Credits

2006 has been viewed as our single best year yet to expand the current R&D tax credit program.  Our key R&D tax credit bills (H2677 and S1065) hinge on the outcome of Legislative and Executive Branch wrangling over the budget.   

Security Breach

The security breach bill (S1338) we have been actively supporting was passed by the House and Senate and signed by the Governor.  The security breach bill (H2351) we have been actively opposing has been killed for

Click to view the snapshot of the Arizona Council's watch list of current legislation:

 2006 Legislative Update