August 26, 2002

Tech leader Denison dies

Ed Denison, president of the Arizona Technology Council, formerly the Arizona Software & Internet Association, died Aug. 24. He was 55.

He was a strong advocate of increasing the state's technology industry and the amount of venture capital invested in local companies, and he was involved in numerous organizations aimed at spurring both economic and work-force development.

Denison was chairman of the Arizona Technology Industry Development Association, one of the founders of Tech Oasis, a member of the Governor's Strategic Partnership for Economic Development and the Arizona Partnership for the New Economy. He also served as president of the Council of Regional Information Technology Associations and was a member of the Information Technology Association of America.

Denison's high-profile role in the community led to his selection as one of the overall most influential people in the Valley for The Business Journal's October 2001 Valley Influential section, and he often wrote opinion pieces for the paper.

Discouraged by the lack of venture capital invested in Arizona companies, Denison was an outspoken advocate for a state-funded venture capital bill that would help early-stage technology companies grow. Such a bill has yet to be passed in the Arizona Legislature. He often spoke of his goal to make Arizona a leading center for technology.

Before moving to Arizona in 1999 from Chicago, where he served as head of the Chicago Software Association, Denison lived in the Valley during the 1970s and worked for Honeywell International Inc.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kaye; his daughter, Cori; and son, Todd.

Visitation is scheduled for 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Messinger Mortuary, 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the "Ed Denison Memorial Technology Scholarship Fund" via the Arizona Community Foundation Web site (for donations $100 or more) at http://www.azfoundation.org or (for donations of less than $100) mailed to 2122 E. Highland Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

© 2002 American City Business Journals Inc.