Global Chamber® 20th International State of the Metro PHX with Semicon/Growth Opportunities

Global Chamber® 20th International State of the Metro PHX

Spotlight on Semiconductor and Growth Opportunities

🗓️ Date: Monday, October 19, 2026   ⏰ Time: 4:00pm to 6:30pm

📍 Location: The Colonnade at Peoria Sports Complex, City of Peoria, 16101 N. 83rd Ave

🗓️ Part 1: Spotlight on Connections + Growth Opportunities, Post-SEMICON West 

🗓️ Part 2: 20th International State of the Metro PHX, Delivered by GPEC and City of Peoria

Global Chamber® is spotlighting new opportunities in a 2+ hour, fast-paced program.

Agenda (October 19th, 4:00 - 6:30pm AZ)

• Welcome
• Part 1 Connecting and Networking
• Part 1 (continued) Senator Kelly Growth Initiative
  • Recap 2nd Session and Next - Jevin Hodge + Senator Kelly's Team
• Part 1 (continued) Concierge and Globi Initiatives 
  • Ambassadors - Thomas Bowden, Mary Rabago, Hank Marshall, Laura Frederickson, Michelle Pierson, Eduardo Gonzalez
  • SEMICON West: Prady Gupta, Tracey Latham, Marc Pierce, Najwa Khazal, Marcos GarciaAcosta, Eduardo Gonzalez
• Part 2 International State of the Metro PHX (20th Year)
  • International State of the Metro PHX - Thomas Maynard, GPEC
  • Perspectives from Peoria - Deb Diveney, City of Peoria
  • Global Education - Michael Voss, Dean of Instruction at Mesa Community College
  • Global Is Good + INC5000 - Chris Yap, CEO at Gabtech
  • We've Got This - Amy Bockerstette
  • Community Partnerships - Barry Wong
    
• Closing "Global Is Good" - Doug Bruhnke
• Wrap-up Connecting and Networking

Who Should Attend

• Leaders in Metro Phoenix looking to grow
• Leaders at companies in the Semiconductor Supply Chain
• Leaders at companies that are based inside or outside of the US
• Leaders seeking more business in advanced manufacturing
• Leaders in economic development who support success
• Leaders in the services industry

Snacks and beverages will be provided.

The PRE Semicon Event is Monday, October 12th in San Francisco, welcome! 

SEMICON West 2027 will take place March 30 - April 1st at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. We have a PRE Semicon Event scheduled for Monday, March 29th, welcome!

Speakers

International State of the Metro PHX

Thomas Maynard - Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Thomas Maynard, the GPEC Senior Vice President of Business Development, has been with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council since August 2013. Thomas co-manages the Business Development team and oversees GPEC’s international business attraction efforts. Over the years, Thomas has worked with hundreds of companies evaluating Greater Phoenix, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups.

Thomas is currently serving as an Honorary Commander, a unique program that pairs community members with leaders from Luke AFB. He also serves on NAIOP’s Developing Leader Steering Committee.

Thomas was named to the 2020 list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers and was recognized a 40 under 40 Economic Developers Class of 2021. Thomas is an Arizona native, grew up in Tucson and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in journalism with a focus in public relations. He lives in Phoenix with his wife Mo and French Bulldog, Hugo.

Deb Diveney

Project Manager at City of Peoria

Deb Diveney is the Project Manager for the Economic Development Services team at the City of Peoria. Her responsibilities include managing, planning and monitoring projects and programs related to the implementation of development opportunities.

Prior to coming to the City of Peoria, Diveney was the Assistant General Manager of Marketing and Business Operations at Goodyear Ballpark. Her role was primarily marketing and promotion of spring training and tourism, including managing the Arizona Office of Tourism’s Prop 302 grant program on behalf of the city. Her 16 years in Goodyear, coupled with previous experience in sales and negotiating mutually beneficial partnerships for Peoria Sports Complex and Luke Air Force Base, provided her with a deep understanding of how to drive economic growth through collaboration and strategic initiatives. She is dedicated to fostering growth, building partnerships, and creating sustainable programs that benefit both businesses and communities.

Deb holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communications/Graphic Design from Kean University and an M.B.A in Marketing from Western International University. She is an adjunct professor of marketing at Grand Canyon U and she recently acquired her Arizona real estate license.

Semiconductor, Workforce and Other Topics

Dr. Pradyumna Gupta - Founder & Chief Scientist, Infinita Lab | Infinita Materials

Companies exploring U.S. market entry, technical qualification, local testing validation and certification, materials supply, manufacturing partnerships, or supply-chain localization are particularly encouraged to connect with Dr. Pradyumna Gupta.

Dr. Gupta is a materials scientist and entrepreneur working with semiconductor and advanced manufacturing companies entering and expanding in the United States. His focus is on the practical challenges between market entry and becoming an operational or approved supplier: technical qualification, testing and validation, local partners, specialized materials and chemicals, and supply-chain localization.

Through Infinita Lab, he provides access to 2,000+ laboratories and 20,000+ testing capabilities across materials characterization, metrology, reliability, failure analysis, and product qualification. Through Infinita Materials, he works with specialized materials and chemicals used in semiconductors, energy, aerospace, electronics, and other advanced manufacturing applications.

Previously, Dr. Gupta was a Senior Scientist on Corning’s Gorilla Glass program and worked at Saint-Gobain. He holds a PhD in Materials Science from Lehigh University, an MBA from INSEAD/Wharton, and a B.Tech from IIT (BHU).

Tracey Latham - Founder/CEO at Latham Industries 

Tracey Latham is founder and CEO of Latham Industries, a perfect example of how innovative thinking can create incredible products. Tracey brought over 25 years of industry experience before forming her own business in 2016. Latham Industries is a woman-owned and operated electronics contract manufacturer based in Phoenix specializing in printed circuit board assembly. Her business supports semiconductor, aerospace, commercial, medical, military industries... startups to large businesses.

Tracey launched the company from scratch with state-of-the-art equipment recognizing that some area electronic contract manufacturers were losing business because they were running with technology that was more than a decade old. To ensure Latham Industries stays current, Tracey is a member of Global Chamber, Arizona Technology Council and additional leading organizations, and has secured several industry certifications including ISO 9001 and 13485.

In 2022, Tracey participated in ASU’s SMB Lab program which is a first-of-its-kind initiative connecting Arizona’s small and medium sized businesses with ASU’s faculty and students, business leaders and development professionals. She continues working with ASU providing her guidance and expertise as the owner of a successful small business.

Tracey was recognized as the Arizona Small Business Person of the Year in 2022 by the Small Business Administration and is a two-time recipient of the Arizona Womens Education and Employment Faces of Success award.  In her spare time, Tracey gives back to the community in several ways as an active volunteer in a variety of charitable organizations including serving on the boards for Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership (HELP) and the U & Improved Leadership Foundation.

Marcos E. Garciaacosta Esq. - Managing Attorney at Marcos E. Garciaacosta Law Group

Marcos is a Business, Intellectual Property, and Immigration attorney. He also consults local and international Businesses on establishing operations in the USA. He advises clients in the restaurant and food industry, entertainment (musicians such as rappers and Mexican Banda), wearable technology, journalism, creative writing, software development, smartphones, virtual reality headsets, artificial intelligence, and many more.

A multicultural, multilingual professional with a broad spectrum of language skills, Marcos is fluent in Spanish and English and partially able to speak French, Portuguese, Japanese, and Chinese. He thrives at the intersections of business, technology, law, and creativity. Marcos enjoys working with a broad spectrum of clients and industries from the creative classes, helping them protect their business and intellectual property rights with extensive experience in high-tech and international business. Marcos’ legal consulting allows startups and entrepreneurs worldwide to achieve their dreams.

Marcos's areas of expertise include contract drafting, reviewing, and negotiating, as well as sales, purchase, technology licensing, trademark licensing, talent representation, RFP/RFQ, internet domain protection, confidentiality agreements, strategic alliances, copyrights, US and International trademark selection and protection, and many more. He is the founder and managing attorney of the legal firm Marcos E. Garciaacosta Law Group.

Marcos is an electronics engineer with a Master's Degree in Industrial Management, training in quality and statistics, a juris doctor degree, and a license to practice law in Arizona. He is married to activist Carmen Cornejo, his business partner. They have two sons who are Mechanical Engineers working in the high-tech industry in Arizona.  

Najwa Khazal - Founder and CEO at RevAIve Ops

Eduardo Gonzalez - President of 258 Consulting LLC

Amy Bockerstette

 

Adaptive Golfer & Disabilities Advocate, Forbes 30 under 30 Arizona

 

Amy Bockerstette is an amateur golfer, disabilities advocate and co-founder of the I GOT THIS Foundation.  She is the first person with Down syndrome to both receive an athletic scholarship to attend college and, as a student-athlete at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, to compete in a national collegiate championship, the NJCAA Women’s Golf Championship.

Representing Special Olympics Arizona during a practice round with PGA Tour professional Gary Woodland at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open, Amy parred the iconic 16th stadium hole.  The video capturing that moment went viral and currently has over 60 million views.  Later that year, Amy and her family established the I GOT THIS Foundation to promote golf instruction and playing opportunities for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. 

Among her many honors, Amy was awarded the Golden Puma Distinguished Leadership Award by Paradise Valley Community College, recognized as one of the 48 Most Intriguing Women of Arizona and selected as one of Forbes 30 under 30 for Arizona.

 

Chris Yap is the CEO and Founder of Gabtech Global, a rapidly growing remote staffing company that scaled from two team members to one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies in America. With a background marked by resilience and an unwavering commitment to impact, Chris has built a global organization that empowers businesses through talent, systems, and sustainable growth practices.

Recognized as a Titan 100 CEO and an Outstanding Alumnus of San Beda University, Chris is known for his clear strategic thinking, values-driven leadership, and ability to simplify complex growth challenges for entrepreneurs and executives worldwide. He has helped organizations streamline operations, strengthen culture, and scale without sacrificing the wellbeing of their people.

Beyond business, Chris is deeply committed to mentorship, global collaboration, and building opportunities for emerging leaders across borders. He believes that growth is most powerful when it uplifts both companies and the communities around them.

  

Jevin D. Hodge - Founder & CEO at Amplify Global Impact Group

Jevin D. Hodge is the Founder & CEO of Amplify Global Impact Group, a mission-driven consulting firm transforming institutions, communities, and businesses through strategic engagement, public affairs, and impact-focused leadership. With deep experience across government, business, and the nonprofit sector, Hodge is known for bridging sectors to drive sustainable change, foster inclusive growth, and elevate underrepresented voices. 

In Arizona, Hodge is President of the East Valley NAACP—one of the nation’s largest NAACP chapters, representing a region of 2.2 million people—where he advances racial equity, youth empowerment, and economic mobility. He also serves as the President and CEO of the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, Arizona’s longest-running Head Start provider, supporting nearly 1,000 families across 35 sites. In addition, he is President of Larry Thomas Youth Development, investing in mentorship and leadership pathways for young people.

Internationally, Hodge serves as Chairman of the Festival of the Diaspora, a global convening of changemakers driving innovation and equity across the Americas. He also chairs the Rolling Sea Action Fund, a national PAC launched after his historic congressional campaign, focused on supporting Black candidates and civic engagement.  

• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Taiwan
• Japan
• S. Korea
• Malaysia
• Vietnam
• Philippines
• Germany
• Netherlands
• UK
• Israel
• Yemen
• UAE
• More

Welcome Companies from Malaysia

Doug Bruhnke is founder and CEO of Global Chamber®. He's an entrepreneur, mentor and global connector focused on supporting Global Chamber® members to gain new clients, and enter into new markets.

Doug is a chemical engineer and an optimistic embracer of technology who has worked for decades as a global executive for DuPont and Phelps Dodge / Freeport McMoRan. He's had two expatriate assignments, one in Tokyo and another in Singapore, and he knows enough Japanese to travel comfortably to every corner of Japan, which he has, loving it! 

Doug has also traveled to 65 countries, and his 40 years of global trade experience includes working for clients in every market segment including automotive, aerospace, industrial, semiconductors, healthcare, life sciences, mining, retail, food and beverage, technology and consulting.

Doug has 5 U.S. patents and his education includes a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah and an EMBA from Michigan State University. His affiliations include the Arizona District Export Council, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Global Chamber®. Doug is a German-Polish American born in Mount Kisco, New York, living in Phoenix and Los Angeles. He's been married 44 years, with a superstar daughter and grandson.

Global Chamber® is an inclusive global platform in 195 countries and across 605+ chapters that makes cross regional growth and success more intentional and simple. We create warm, strategic connections for leaders to targeted clients, investors, partners and resources, and our vision is to make exporting, importing, investing and doing business across regions as easy as doing business across the street. Be global and UNSTOPPABLE! Visit www.globalchamber.org.

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