I recently spent 10 minutes with Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. If you don’t know her, you should. Sandra is at the center of Arizona’s economic transformation. Her leadership is helping drive Arizona’s next chapter, and the results speak for themselves.
We covered a lot of ground in just a few minutes—but here are the three biggest takeaways that stuck with me:
— 25,000+ Jobs and Counting: Arizona is on a historic run. Just in 2025 alone, the ACA helped bring over 25,000 new jobs to the state. That’s not a typo. It’s momentum—and it’s building.
— Semiconductors & EVs are Surging: TSMC, Amkor, Lucid Motors… these aren’t just big names—they’re part of a new industrial backbone for Arizona. We are becoming a global player in the semiconductor and electric vehicle sectors. These aren’t one-off wins—they’re long-term growth drivers.
— AI is Next: You want to know where the future is being built? Arizona is positioning itself as a hub for AI innovation. Tech companies and top talent are moving in. The ecosystem is growing fast, and the ACA is actively making it happen.
Sandra is helping Arizona win big. This growth isn’t random. It’s smart, strategic, and just getting started.
