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Greater Phoenix:
Building the nation's most innovative, connected, and people-centered smart region.

Our Vision

Through a community-driven applied research model and intentional, unprecedented collaboration, our consortium of public, private, university, and community partners seek to empower Greater Phoenix communities to build the nation’s largest, most connected, smart region, developing and deploying technology scalable solutions rooted in connectivity, mobility, equity, and sustainability.

Vision
Intro Video

Greater Phoenix Region

Our Region
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El Mirage Square.png
Peoria.png
Peoria Square.png
Phoenix Square.png
Phoenix Square.png
Glendale Square.png
Glendale Square.png
El Mirage Square.png
El Mirage Square.png
Surprise Square.png
Surprise Square.png
Buckeye Square.png
Buckeye Square.png
Goodyear Square.png
Goodyear Square.png
Avondale Square.png
Avondale Square.png
Youngtown Square.png
Youngtown Square.png
Tolleson Square.png
Tolleson Square.png
Tempe Square.png
Tempe Square.png
Mesa Square.png
Mesa Square.png
Fountain Hills Square.png
Fountain Hills Square.png
Apache Junction Square.png
Apache Junction Square.png
Queen Creek Square.png
Queen Creek Square.png
Gilbert Square.png
Gilbert Square.png
Chandler Square.png
Chandler Square.png
Maricopa Square.png
Maricopa Square.png
Casa Grande Square.png
Casa Grande Square.png
Scottsdale Square.png
Scottsdale Square.png
Guadalupe Square.png
Guadalupe Square.png
Maricopa County Square.png
Maricopa County Square.png

Core Regional Goals

We are intentionally collaborating with regional partners to adopt and scale solutions that transform Greater Phoenix and support core regional goals.

Regional Goals
Improve Quality
of Life
Core Goal #1
Drive
Equity
Core Goal #2
Enhance
Revenue
Core Goal #3
Promote
Sustainability
and Resilience
Core Goal #4
Support 
Economic
Competitiveness
Core Goal #5
How We Do It

How We Achieve These

By bringing together diverse stakeholders we can enhance the quality of life and well-being for all residents.

01 / Regional Collaboration

02 / Best Practice Sharing

03 / Competency Framework

04 / Research & Data Analysis

05 / Validation & Testing

06 / Implementing Solutions at Scale

Research

Develop

Deploy

The Benefits

01

REDUCES RISK

Let's move 

Greater Phoenix forward together.

Getting Involved

Industry Partners

Participating in The Connective means committing to become an innovative region that intentionally collaborates on issues that impact the quality of life and well-being for all residents and businesses.

The Connective will be funded through public, private, university and grant funding. Funding will directly support research, training, testing, data management activities and Greater Phoenix branding. 

Industry partner membership will require a minimum three-year commitment.

Community Partners

Each Greater Phoenix community partner is requested to make a pledge to support The Connective for multiple years in order to enable multi-year, community-driven research projects. Each Consortium member will have representation on the Smart Region Leadership Council.

 

To foster regional participation, some communities may also elect to participate as an observer for no cost but will not have voting privileges nor access to training programs. Observing cities will be able to participate in cooperative procurement but will not receive additional benefits.

Get Involved
Contact Us

Contact Us

Please fill out the form to get involved, or to reach us with questions.

Thanks for your message. Please expect a reply in the next three business days.

Our Team
Our Team
Dean Duncan: Managing Director
Dean Duncan: Managing Director

Dean Duncan

Dean joined The Connective in 2021, after serving as Executive Director of Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), where he led a three-initiative organization dedicated to accelerating technology company development.

Managing Director

Ben Williams: Program Manager
Ben Williams: Program Manager

Ben Williams

Ben holds a Master of Public Administration in Urban Management from Arizona State University and manages projects and partnerships with Greater Phoenix cities and regional entities.

Program Manager

Dean joined The Connective in 2021, after serving as Executive Director of Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), where he led a three-initiative organization dedicated to accelerating technology company development.

Dean joined The Connective in 2021, after serving as Executive Director of Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), where he led a three-initiative organization dedicated to accelerating technology company development.

Dean joined The Connective in 2021, after serving as Executive Director of Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), where he led a three-initiative organization dedicated to accelerating technology company development.

Jake Taylor: Human-Centered Design Specialist
Jake Taylor: Human-Centered Design Specialist

Jake Taylor

Design & Technology Manager

Jake holds a Master of Global Management in Design Thinking and contributes critical design frameworks to projects, ensuring the resident experience remains at the center of all we do.

Jake Taylor
Design & Technology Manager
Our Team
Our Team
Dean Duncan: Managing Director
Dean Duncan: Managing Director

Dean Duncan

Dean joined in 2022 after serving as Executive Director of Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI). Dean manages partnerships, staffing, operations, strategy, and overall direction for The Connective.

Managing Director

Ben Williams: Program Manager
Ben Williams: Program Manager

Ben Williams

Ben holds a Master of Public Administration in Urban Management from Arizona State University and manages projects and partnerships with Greater Phoenix cities and regional entities.

Program Manager

Dean joined The Connective in 2021, after serving as Executive Director of Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), where he led a three-initiative organization dedicated to accelerating technology company development.

Dean joined The Connective in 2021, after serving as Executive Director of Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), where he led a three-initiative organization dedicated to accelerating technology company development.

Dean joined The Connective in 2021, after serving as Executive Director of Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI), where he led a three-initiative organization dedicated to accelerating technology company development.

Jake Taylor: Human-Centered Design Specialist
Jake Taylor: Human-Centered Design Specialist

Jake Taylor

Design & Technology Manager

Jake holds a Master of Global Management in Design Thinking and contributes critical design frameworks to projects, ensuring the resident experience remains at the center of all we do.

Willard Huyck_edited_edited_edited.jpg
Willard Huyck_edited_edited_edited.jpg

Willard Huyck

Willard is currently earning an MPA in Urban Management from ASU. His work focuses on analyzing city strategies, policies, and projects to align our work with local and regional objectives.

Project Intern

Jake Taylor
Design & Technology Manager
Our Team
Our Team
Dean Duncan

Dean Duncan

Managing Director

Dean joined in 2022 after serving as Executive Director of Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI). Dean manages partnerships, staffing, operations, strategy, and overall direction for The Connective.

Ben Williams

Ben Williams

Program Manager

Ben holds a Master of Public Administration in Urban Management from Arizona State University and manages projects and partnerships with Greater Phoenix cities and regional entities.

Jake Taylor

Jake Taylor

Design & Technology Manager

Jake holds a Master of Global Management in Design Thinking and contributes critical design frameworks to projects, ensuring the resident experience remains at the center of all we do.

Willard Huyck

Willard Huyck

Project Intern

Willard is currently earning an MPA in Urban Management from ASU. His work focuses on analyzing city strategies, policies, and projects to align our work with local and regional objectives.

Partners
Developed By
ASU Logo.png
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PEI.png
Industry Partners
SRP.png
Dell.png
COX Business.png
Arizona Commerce Authority.png
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Partners
Regional Partners
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PEI.png
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Industry Partners
SRP.png
COX Business.png
Intel.jpeg
Arizona Commerce Authority.png
All Partners
Partners
PEI.png
SRP.png
ASU Logo.png
Logo 168x115.jpg
MAG logo HQ.png
COX Business.png
Arizona Commerce Authority.png
Intel.jpeg
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