About Us

PropelAZ Semiconductor Supplier Program

PropelAZ is a 15 week cohort program with cohorts kicking off on both July 27 and September 8, 2026. We help businesses build the capabilities needed to compete for emerging opportunities in the Arizona semiconductor supply chain through personalized learning pathways, industry expertise, and applicable resources.

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Powered By

Next Street

For more than 20 years, corporations, governments, and philanthropies have hired Next Street to strengthen the small businesses they rely on. As a firm, Next Street provides end-to-end solutions — from ecosystem assessments and strategies to resource platforms and accelerators — for their clients to propel the small businesses in their communities and supply chains. Next Street solutions ultimately help small businesses, whether they are solo entrepreneurs or advanced suppliers, to unlock new revenue, build wealth, and reinvest in their communities.

What We Do

Supported By

JPMorganChase

As America’s leading small business bank, JPMorganChase leverages its scale, resources, and expertise to help business owners at every stage of their journey access the capital and assistance to grow, create jobs, and build generational wealth. As part of JPMorganChase’s American Dream Initiative — multi-year effort to help make the economy work for more people — JPMorganChase is focused on powering 10M small businesses over the next several years with the capital, coaching, tools, and practical policy solutions they need to thrive.

Our Impact

In Partnership With

Arizona Working Group

PropelAZ is designed in collaboration with our core partners including Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Small Business Association, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, City of Phoenix, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, LISC Phoenix and Arizona State University. Partner participation helps ensure the program reaches qualified suppliers, reflects local business needs, and creates stronger pathways into semiconductor-related opportunities. Through this collaboration, PropelAZ is building a more connected supplier ecosystem and helping Arizona businesses prepare for growth in one of the state’s most important industries.

We are proud of our commitment to security and social impact

Thank you to our industry partners and advisors on the platform

Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority is the state’s leading economic development organization, focused on growing and strengthening Arizona’s economy. ACA supports new, existing, and relocating businesses with resources and programs that help companies expand, create jobs, and succeed in Arizona.

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Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce promotes the success of emerging and established businesses by facilitating business relationships, economic development, and knowledge sharing. Founded in 1948, AZHCC is a leading advocate for Arizona’s Hispanic-owned businesses and the broader emerging business community.

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Arizona Small Business Association

The Arizona Small Business Association champions the growth, prosperity, and voice of entrepreneurs across the state. Through resources, advocacy, mentoring, and networking, ASBA helps small business owners connect, grow, and contribute to Arizona’s economy.

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Arizona State University

Arizona State University’s economic development work supports business attraction, retention, and expansion strategies that strengthen Arizona communities and accelerate the state’s economy. ASU connects companies and community partners to university resources, assets, and expertise to support growth, innovation, and job creation.

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City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department

The Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department implements the Phoenix vision for prosperity in America’s fifth-largest city. CED attracts high-quality jobs and trains the workforce to fill them. Through value-added economic development programs, public-private partnerships, and innovation opportunities CED is with your company to maximize capital investment, assist in creating and retaining quality workers, train your workforce, and facilitate development or expansion. Phoenix is a global market with the experience and ecosystems supporting its businesses’ successes.

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Global Chamber

Global Chamber® connects CEOs, executives, investors and industry leaders to new opportunities using an easy-to-use platform in 195 countries across 605+ chapters. We're the only chamber of commerce that delivers strategic connections and trusted resources while operating in hundreds of locations, facilitating exporting, importing, investing and growth across regions and borders.

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Greater Phoenix Economic Council

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council is the region’s economic development organization, working to attract and grow quality businesses and strengthen Greater Phoenix’s competitiveness. GPEC brings together member communities, regional partners, and private investors to advance smart growth, investment, and opportunity across the region.

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LISC Phoenix

LISC Phoenix works with residents, community organizations, and public and private partners to build resilient, inclusive communities of opportunity. Through lending, grants, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing, LISC Phoenix supports local efforts that improve financial stability, housing access, and community vitality.

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Bridge Taylor (PropelAZ Advisor) - Imogene + Willie

Bridge Taylor, CPA, is the Director of Accounting and Finance with Imogene + Willie, a Nashville-based retailer. He has spent the past ten years working in accounting and sustainability reporting and has experience leading financial reporting, forecasting, and controls for growing companies. His focus is on educating and communicating financial topics to non-finance professionals.

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Denise Chaffin (PropelAZ Advisor) - Top Source Talent, LLC

Founder and TA Leader of Top Source Talent, and host of the Talking TA podcast, Denise has35+ years of experience building high-impact recruiting strategies for the semiconductor, medical device, renewable energy, government, and PE/VC-backed companies. Denise blends legacy recruiting expertise with technology savvy for coaching and mentoring business leaders, key stake holders, Human Resource and Talent Acquisition professionals.

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Denisse Giron (PropelAZ Advisor) - SBC Consulting

MBA-trained finance and strategy professional with experience helping small business owners strengthen their financial foundation, improve operations, and make data-driven decisions. Skilled in financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting, and translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insights. Experienced in developing business plans, financial projections, and accounting system improvements, with expertise in QuickBooks and financial statement analysis. Recognized for strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning in finance and data-driven decision support.

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Elizabeth Gilbert (PropelAZ Advisor) - Trinity National Consulting, Inc.

Dr. Elizabeth Gilbert is the President and Co-Founder of Trinity National Consulting, Inc., a woman-owned consulting firm specializing in organizational readiness, leadership development, quality culture, compliance systems, workforce readiness, and responsible AI governance. She has over 15 years of experience helping organizations improve operational performance, strengthen accountability structures, and build sustainable systems for growth and contract execution. Dr. Gilbert serves as a doctoral mentor and faculty member, is an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor, and has supported organizations across regulated industries, higher education, and emerging technology sectors. Her work focuses on aligning leadership, culture, governance, and performance to improve organizational resilience and long-term success.

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Keli Hearon (PropelAZ Advisor)

Keli Hearon is an independent consultant who helps small and diverse businesses grow, build capacity, and advance their business development goals. She previously served as Director of Supplier Engagement at Asplundh, where she led supplier engagement, procurement governance, compliance, data analytics, and project management. With more than 20 years of experience across the aviation, construction, and utility sectors, she is known for developing practical strategies that strengthen supplier relationships and improve operational performance. Her career includes leadership roles with Exelon, Washington Gas, and Xcel Energy, where she managed enterprise sourcing categories and strategic supplier programs spanning fleet, environmental services, transmission materials, and fuel operations. A graduate of Wayne State University, Keli brings a grounded, strategic perspective to procurement leadership that helps organizations build stronger supplier networks and more resilient supply chains. Bridge

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Marvelene Jones (PropelAZ Advisor) - Procurement Prodigy Consulting

Marvelene Jones is a procurement leader with more than 20 years of experience driving supplier strategy, operational excellence, and inclusive partnerships. She has held leadership roles at General Motors Locomotive Group, Exelon Corporation, and Resource Innovations. At Resource Innovations, she served as Head of Procurement and Supplier Inclusion, leading enterprise procurement strategy and advancing sustainable supplier inclusion practices. Previously, as Principal Category Manager at Exelon, she directed procurement strategy across six utilities and helped increase diverse supplier engagement and spend by 50%. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

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Mike Demler (PropelAZ Advisor)

With more than 45 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Mike offers his extensive expertise for consulting projects that require in-depth analysis, evaluation, and guidance on various aspects of technology, architecture, markets, and strategy. Clients benefit from the breadth and depth of his knowledge, which derives from numerous accomplishments in both technical and business roles. Mike holds both an MSEE from Southern Methodist University, and an MBA from San Jose State University. At SJSU, he was nominated for Outstanding Graduate Student - 2006, for his thesis on “21st Century Television Broadcasting Strategies”, in which he predicted the disruptions caused by mobile and streaming platforms.

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Mike Kotubey (PropelAZ Advisor) - Construction Consulting Associates LLC

Mike Kotubey is a seasoned construction and service executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience in commercial plumbing, HVAC, process piping, and mechanical contracting. He helps contractors improve operations, increase profitability, and prepare for growth in complex facility construction and service. His track record includes doubling revenues while increasing profitability fivefold through Lean processes, operational excellence, and strategic business development. With executive experience across sales, operations, engineering, finance, and acquisitions, Mike helps organizations build the capabilities needed to compete and win in demanding, high-growth markets.

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Mike Sherwin (PropelAZ Advisor) - Next Ridge Technologies, LLC

Mike is a teacher, researcher, and practitioner with over 20 years of industry experience. His teaching portfolio spans Lean Six Sigma, operations, supply chain management, quality, and project management, with additional experience leading experiential learning and capstone courses. His research focuses on developing decision-support tools for risk mitigation, operations, and supply chain management. Through his consulting and training practice, Next Ridge Technologies, Mike partners with businesses to drive improvement in strategic planning, operations, supply chain management, quality, and data analytics. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and holds degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering (PhD, Mississippi State University), Industrial Engineering (MS, Penn State University), Business Administration (MBA, Carnegie Mellon University), and Materials Science and Engineering (BS, Penn State University).

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Scott Smyser (PropelAZ Advisor) - TechGrowth Strategies

Scott Smyser is a go-to-market executive, advisor, and business development leader with extensive experience helping innovative technology companies bring new products to market and scale their businesses. Throughout his career, he has built global sales organizations, established strategic partnerships, and guided commercialization efforts across startups,growth-stage companies, and established enterprises. Today, he advises founders, executive teams, and investors on business strategy, revenue growth, fundraising, market expansion, and customer engagement. His expertise lies in translating complex technologies into successful commercial outcomes and accelerating growth in competitive markets.

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Terence Collier (PropelAZ Advisor) - CVInc

Terence Q. Collier is a nationally recognized advanced microelectronics packaging expert and material scientist with over 35 years of specialized industrial experience spanning standard integrated circuit (IC) assemblies, high-density optical arrays, aerospace devices, medical devices, and defense-grade components. As the president and founder of CVInc., a microfabrication and backend assembly company, he has a distinguished reputation as the industry's premier resource for prototyping, microfabrication process optimization, and advanced packaging. His technical mastery encompasses the comprehensive architecture of both front-end and back-end microfabrication tooling.

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Wassem M. Ali (PropelAZ Advisor) - WMA CPA

Wassem Ali is a New York-licensed CPA and founder of WMA CPA, where he advises small businesses on tax, accounting, and financial decision-making. His experience includes several years in public accounting, followed by corporate accounting and financial reporting within the private equity industry. Through his firm, Wassem helps business owners strengthen profitability, manage working capital, and develop the financial systems needed for sustainable growth.

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