New director named for Chandler Innovations

Dena Patton, an award-winning business coach and entrepreneur who has started multiple companies and nonprofit ventures over a 20-year career, has been hired to lead Chandler Innovations, the entrepreneurial development program that promotes the creation and sustainable growth of startups.

Powered by Moonshot at NACET and sponsored by the City of Chandler, the program offers free business development events and mentorship to those who live, work or own property in Chandler.

“Our goal is to raise the profile of Chandler Innovations and make more people aware about the great opportunity the city of Chandler is offering its residents,” said Scott Hathcock, President & CEO of Moonshot. “Dena has an excellent track record in running non-profits and bringing a higher caliber of marketing to the table.”

Patton said her immediate marketing goal is to raise the awareness of Chandler Innovations four ongoing community events and the upcoming application deadline for its three-track business incubation program. By increasing the frequency and accessibility to its multi-track program, she believes they can serve many more people this year.

CCS appoints business development representative

CCS Presentation Systems, one of the largest audio-visual integrators in the United States, has appointed Crystal Pierce, Business Development Representative. Pierce will be responsible for the strategic identification, development and acquisition of new business opportunities in priority markets for CCS. 

Pierce is an active committee member of AZ Tech Council, Arizona Association for Economic Development and Eliances (a community of entrepreneurs). She is an Arizona native who earned her degree from Northern Arizona University.

“Crystal is a valuable addition to our team and we are excited to see her accomplishments in her role as Business Development Representative,” said John Godbout, founder and CEO of CCS Presentation Systems. “She brings new energy to outreach efforts that align with our growth initiatives in markets including high tech, enterprise business, higher education and the building industry.”

Arizona Office of Tourism hires assistant deputy director

A seasoned professional with a record for growing business relationships has been hired to guide the marketing operations at the state agency responsible for promoting Arizona as a tourism destination to the rest of the world.

Shannon N. Smith is the new Assistant Deputy Director of Marketing at the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT). Smith will manage the agency’s marketing team, oversee brand management and digital initiatives, and serve as the point person for third-party business relationships.

“I’m excited to welcome Shannon to our team,” said Arizona Office of Tourism Director Debbie Johnson. “Arizona is coming off a record year in terms of visitor volume and visitor spending, and we’re confident Shannon will help us not just sustain that momentum but elevate our marketing presence in a global market that’s more competitive than ever.”

Former Oakley design leader Hans Moritz joins Axon

Axon, the global leader in connected public safety technologies, today announced the appointment of Hans Moritz as Axon’s new Vice President of Hardware Research and Development.

“Axon’s vision for the future of technology in public safety is what drew me to join the team,” Moritz says. “Having led design teams around the world to push the limits and provide best-in-class products inspires me to work for a company that isn’t afraid to innovate and disrupt.”

Moritz is a distinguished leader in hardware design for lifestyle and sports as well as industrial design and mechanical engineering for consumer electronics. He most recently worked as the Vice President of the New Devices Group and General Manager of Industrial Design at Intel Corp. There, Moritz developed products and technologies to enhance Intel’s product portfolio with wearable electronics. Prior to joining Intel in 2013, he served as a senior director of design and brand at Oakley Inc., where he led design for the watch, goggle, military and men’s sunglasses divisions. Moritz’s designs include Oakley’s X Metal Line, the SwitchLock series, the Airbrake Series, and Oakley’s heads-up display goggle and Airwave.

ABI Multifamily welcomes Jack Hannum

ABI Multifamily, the Western US’ leading multifamily brokerage and advisory services firm, announced Jack Hannum has joined the firm as Senior Vice President in the company’s Phoenix Office. Hannum will focus on enhancing the firm’s Institutional presence, primarily focusing on properties of more than 150-units.