Jim Armstrong to be Awarded the AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arizona Technology Council at the 2018 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation

“Jim Armstrong is a true champion of the Arizona technology community,” said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO, Arizona Technology Council. “From his outstanding work as the founder and CEO of JDA Software, where he helped to establish Arizona as a growing technology hub, to his pioneering ventures as the managing partner at Canal Partners, where he has grown Arizona’s most successful startups, including WebPT. I can think of no better leader to be honored with the GCOI Lifetime Achievement Award.”

This year, the GCOI will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. 3^rd St., West Building, 3^rd Floor – from 4 to 8:30 p.m. The event attracts more than 850 attendees each year for a night of networking, food, and entertainment. The celebration will consist of a strolling dinner and Tech Showcase followed by a theatre-style awards program. The Tech Showcase includes over 50 companies showcasing their innovations, culture and future here in Arizona. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at aztechcouncil.org.

Lifetime Achievement Award winners are chosen by public vote. Armstrong joins an impressive list of former honorees including: Bob Parsons, American philanthropist and founder of GoDaddy, Rick Smith, CEO and founder of Axon (formerly TASER), Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, Pat Sullivan, co-founder and CEO of Ryver, Eric and Tim Crown, co-founders of Insight Enterprises, Gary Tooker, former CEO and chairman of Motorola, Roy Vallee, former chairman and CEO of Avnet, Steve Sanghi, president, CEO and chairman of Microchip Technology, Craig Barrett, former CEO and chairman of Intel, and renowned architect Paolo Soleri.

“I am honored to be selected as the 2018 GCOI Lifetime Achievement Award winner,” said Armstrong. “It has been a privilege to be a part of Arizona’s growing technology community for many years and to have seen it evolve to where we are today. There are smart and hungry entrepreneurs here that are ready to take Arizona to the next level.”

In his role as managing partner at Canal Partners, Armstrong and his partners successfully create significant value in both public and private enterprises and utilize their entrepreneurial and operational experiences in creating value-added growth. Armstrong is responsible for all aspects of the company including identification of potential acquisition targets, due diligence, financial analysis and final investment decision-making.

Prior to Canal Partners, Armstrong launched JDA Software Services in Calgary, Canada in 1978, which grew to be one of Canada’s largest IBM® midrange software companies. In 1985, Armstrong sold his Canadian business and, with a partner, formed the U.S.-based JDA Software Inc in Scottsdale, Arizona. After 10 years of successful operation as a privately held company, JDA became a public corporation on March 15, 1996, and began trading on the Nasdaq as JDAS. Armstrong served as the chief executive officer of JDA Software from 1985 to 1997 and again from 1999 to 2003, and as chairman until 2012.

Armstrong serves on a wide range of boards and foundations. In addition to previously serving as Chairman of the Board for JDA Software Group, Inc., he is a director and president of JDA Investments (US), Inc. and former director for WebPT, Inc. He is president and chairman of the Armstrong Family Foundation, president and chairman of the Kiita Foundation, and director of the Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation. Armstrong has received numerous awards and honors including Arizona Software Association Business Leader of the Year, Ernst and Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Ernst and Young Spirit of Philanthropy Award, Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year Award, and National Society of Fundraising Executives Spirit of Philanthropy Award. Armstrong formerly served as Chairman of Omnilink Systems and director of ClickDimensions and NetTime Solutions.

“Congratulations to Jim Armstrong for his outstanding career accomplishments and significant contributions to Arizona’s technology ecosystem,” said Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “From the enterprise he built in JDA Software, to the strategic investments he has made in the technology sector with Canal Partners, Jim has provided exemplary leadership in our state and this award is very well-deserved.”

Individual and Corporate Innovator and Pioneer Award winners will also be honored at GCOI. This includes the Future Innovators awards given to Arizona students, the Arizona Teacher of the Year, the Tech Ten Awards given to Arizona legislators, and awards for the Arizona Senator of the Year and Arizona Representative of the Year.

About the Arizona Technology Council

The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies. Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry. These interactions contribute to the Council’s culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit www.aztechcouncil.org.

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.

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