RECOGNIZING Successful Transformation
Each year, MSS Business Transformation Advisory presents its MSSBTA Transformation Leader of the Year award in partnership with the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority at the annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation gala event.
This award recognizes a leader or organization that has achieved significant and measurable transformational change in the previous calendar year. Nominations for the following sample of organizations are encouraged:
• Emerging/Hyper-Growth Companies – $5M to $49M in revenue
• Mid-Size Companies – $50M to $999M in revenue
• Enterprise Companies – over $1B in revenue
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Public Sector Agencies – municipal, county, and state agencies
• Higher Education – public or private institutions
• K-12 Education – public or private institutions
Qualified nominees show the traits and character of a transformational leader. Nominated organizations should be in operation for three years or more, headquartered or have significant operations in Arizona, and have achieved measurable transformative outcomes in the previous calendar year.
We take the process of selecting recipients of the Transformation Leader of the Year awards seriously. In addition to the criteria described above, there are 10 key traits all award winners exemplify.
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Humble
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Accountable
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Risk Takers
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Decision Makers
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Share in Organizational Consciousness
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Inspirational
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Open-Minded
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Adaptable
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Innovative
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Visionary
Past Winners of the Transformation Leader of the Year Award
2022 Recipient
Grant Anderson
Since taking over as President and CEO in October 2014, Grant Anderson has re-focused Paragon Space Development Corporation’s mission. He has worked to improve, enhance, and modernize the company to successfully move in a focused direction, transforming their IP, products, and systems into innovative solutions for their customers. Paragon’s success has been written about in numerous articles and was recently named #3 behind Blue Origin (#1) and SpaceX (#2).
2022 Nominees
Jamie Baxter | Co-founder and CEO, Qwick
Chris Camacho | President and CEO
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Gregory Edgar | Executive Director, Arizona Lottery
Julie Giese | President, Phoenix Raceway
Matt Johnston | CEO, GitKraken
Richard McHattie | Chief Technology and Innovation Officer
Maricopa, Clerk of the Superior Court
Dr. Lisa Rhine | President, Yavapai College
Brian Spicker | President and CEO
Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation
Scott Zufelt | Deputy Director of the Office of Data Analytics, Pima County
2021 Recipient
Howard Stewart
Howard Stewart is the President and CEO of AGM Container Controls in Tucson, Arizona. Howard tirelessly champions the concept that businesses should provide College Tuition Reimbursement (CTR) to their entire workforce. He encourages his employees, family, and friends to pursue the mind-opening experience of higher education, and regularly delivers presentations in both Metro Tucson and Metro Phoenix on the importance of businesses providing such CTR.
2021 Nominees
Dr. Cara Christ | Executive Director,
AZ Dept of Health
Lev Gonick | CIO, Arizona State University
Lloyd Hayes | Founder and Executive Director, Million Dollar Teacher Project
Carrie Kelly | Executive Director, Arizona Association for Economic Development
Dr. Jim Ratcliff | President and CEO,
Rowpar Pharmaceuticals
Douglas Sylvester | Dean,
O'Connor College of Law at ASU
Amy Walters | Assistant VP of Technology Operations, Cancer Treatment Centers of America
2020 Recipient
Dr. Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell
Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell leads the University of Arizona’s Office for Research, Innovation and Impact. She is responsible for expanding the university’s capacity for knowledge creation and discovery; integrating efforts by faculty, students, staff and executive leaders to move inventions and technologies to the marketplace; increasing the university’s connectivity with external collaborators; spearheading industry and public partnerships; and increasing total research funding.
2020 Nominees
Joan MacMaster | CEO, Desert Angels
Tim Roemer | CISO, State of Arizona
2019 Recipient
Paul Green
With more than 20 years of IT experience, Paul Green‘s technology-infused leadership adds exciting dimension to his role as Chief Development Officer. Paul joined Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance as CIO in 2014 to strengthen the company’s IT capability in support of its continued growth. With a focus on the patient experience, Paul’s innovative influence is evident in everything from the company’s workflow to its online presence. In 2018, Paul was named the Chief Development Officer to lead the company’s technology and business development initiatives.
2019 Nominees
Kathryn Chandler | Executive Director,
West Valley Connect
Tim Grein | CEO, Walbar Engine Components
Dr. Robert Trenschel | CEO, Yuma Regional Medical Center
Transformational Leader Interviews
Transformational Leader of the Year Award FAQs
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What is the Transformation Leader of the Year award?The Transformation Leader of the Year Award is MSS Business Transformation Advisory’s (MSSBTA) way to recognize Arizona leaders and teams who are driving successful transformation initiatives. The award gives them a platform to promote their organizations and be recognized as innovators and change-makers.
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When are the Transformation Leader of the Year award nominations open?Transformation Leader of the Year award nominations open in January and continue through the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation nomination period, usually around mid-July.
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MSSBTA strongly encourages nominations from qualified organizations that include but not limited to:Emerging or Hyper-growth companies – $5M to $49M in revenue Mid-market companies – $50M to $999M in revenue Enterprise companies – over $1B in revenue Public Sector agencies – municipal, county, and state agencies Non-profit organizations – of any size Higher Education – public or private institutions K-12 Education – public or private institutions
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How are the Transformation Leaders recognized?Transformation Leader nominees are recognized a few ways: Through quarterly virtual panels with fellow nominees and local business leaders. Through transformation story videos shared on social media. Nominees are recognized, and the winner announced at the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation gala event. This is a high-profile event sponsored by Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Commerce Authority, and Avnet.
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What does the judging committee look for in a nomination?Without giving too much away, the committee is always impressed by measurable metrics and quantifiable results. Specifics are important. Examples of how your leader successfully guided the company/agency/department/district through a major transformation or change in how it operates are expected. Organization size doesn’t matter, the success story does.
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Who can submit a nomination?Just about anyone can submit a nomination. This is your opportunity to recognize people from within your department, agency, company, etc. Don’t be shy, put your own hat in the ring if you want to share how you successfully navigated your company through major business or digital transformation in the previous year.
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Is it for Arizona-based organizations only?Yes, the Transformation Leader of the Year award is open to organizations throughout the state of Arizona, and there is no cost to participate.
