transformation leader of the year
The Transformation Leader of the Year award program recognizes the achievements of Arizona leaders who have driven significant transformation change in their organization.
Recognizing Transformation Success
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.
10 Traits of a Transformation Leader
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.
-
Humble
-
Accountable
-
Risk Takers
-
Decision Makers
-
Share in Organizational Consciousness
-
Inspirational
-
Open-Minded
-
Adaptable
-
Innovative
-
Visionary
Winners of the Transformation Leader of the Year
2023 Recipients
Bradley Likes & Rick Dockall
Republic Services
Republic Services provides residential, small-container, and large-container collection services, emphasizing technology for growth and customer satisfaction. Formerly managed manually with 1990s technology, customer routing and logistics were revamped through the RISE project led by Bradley Likes and Rick Dockall. The transformation to a web-based platform, along with in-cab tablets for drivers, achieved substantial savings, enhanced communication, and record-high Net Promoter Scores, contributing to improved customer retention.
2023 Nominees
Danette Bewley | President and CEO, Tucson Airport Authority
Sintra Hoffman | President and CEO,
WESTMARC
Najwa Khazal | General Manager for Service Technology Centers Americas, Edwards Vacuums
Tamala McBath | CEO, Dress for Success Phoenix
Brian Spicker | President and CEO,
Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation
Kimberly Tobey | Director of Educator
Preparation Programs, Rio Salado College
Scott Zufelt | Deputy Director of the Office of
Data Analytics, Pima County
2022 Recipient
Grant Anderson
Paragon Space Development Corp.
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
AGM Container Controls
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
University of Arizona Office for Research, Innovation & Impact
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
Transformation Leader of the Year Award FAQs
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
