Acronis SCS Launches SCSVets Initiative as Opens AZ-Based HQs

Acronis SCS opened its new HQs in Scottsdale, AZ.

The company welcomed many state and local dignitaries, partners, employees, veterans and community members for a celebratory grand opening that included a ribbon cutting ceremony, the launch of its SCSVets initiative, and the announcement of the winners of the company’s Tribute to Service Art Contest.

(Front, LtoR) Congressman Greg Stanton, Acronis SCS CEO John Zanni, AZ Senator Martha McSally, and Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, leading the ribbon cutting ceremony

The event included the announcement of SCSVets, an initiative to provide at least 300 veterans, active duty military, and military spouses with the credentials, skills, and resources necessary to pursue a cyber-security career.

The event featured keynote remarks from Arizona Senator Martha McSally, as well as commentary from congressman Greg Stanton and Scottsdale mayor Jim Lane. Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and Robert Garcia, program manager for Arizona’s Office of Economic Opportunity also shared their thoughts about the value SCS brings to the Arizona business community.

“We are committed to advancing Arizona’s position as a thriving tech hub and excited to accelerate our support for the US public sector from our new HQs,” said John Zanni, Acronis SCS CEO. “In launching the Acronis SCSVets initiative, we are doing our part to narrow the cyber workforce shortage and provide America’s veterans, military, and military spouses with the skills they need to succeed in a demanding field.“

In its first five years of programming and in partnership with a network (including New Horizons of Phoenix, the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, and Veteran Transition Mission), the SCSVets initiative pledges to provide at least 300 veterans, active duty military, and military spouses with the credentials, skills, and resources necessary to pursue a cyber-security career.

The SCSVets approach is unique in two key ways. First, unlike other efforts that prioritize online learning, SCSVets provides in-person training to members of Arizona’s veteran and military community that is tailored to their needs and experiences – all at zero cost to them. The accessible programming includes in-person certificate coursework, civilian workforce interview coaching, personalized resume-building workshops, and more. Second, the initiative is focused on connecting participants with Arizona’s SMBs in need of cyber-security talent. Unlike larger companies, SMBs often lack the resources to develop robust veteran hiring programs, despite a desire to welcome veterans onto their staffs.

With a larger than average veteran population and more than 13,000 IT jobs open across the state, Arizona stands to benefit from the community- and camaraderie-driven programming SCSVets has to offer.

“Arizona continues to be a top destination for tech innovators like Acronis SCS,” said Arizona governor Doug Ducey. “We are proud the company has chosen to call Arizona home, and we thank Acronis SCS for its continued investment in our state.“

US congressman Greg Stanton added: “It’s a great day for Arizona when companies like Acronis SCS decide to put down roots here. I look forward to seeing the company help our state’s economy continue to grow and our veteran community thrive.“

SCS’ 6,376-square-foot facility is home to 30+ employees (around 20% of whom are US veterans themselves) who are focused on delivering secure backup, data and cyber protection, anti-ransomware, DR, and enterprise products and services to the US public sector. Looking forward, SCS aims to expand its employee footprint across diverse fields, from marketing and sales to network administration and product support – bringing economic growth to the state.

In addition to employee workspaces, the Scottsdale HQs houses a community room available for veteran-focused nonprofits in need of a centrally-located meeting space. That space, which will feature a rotating display of veteran artwork, will also serve as the site of the SCSVets initiative’s quarterly in-person career training workshops.

“As a 26-year Air Force veteran, I am grateful for Acronis SCS’ commitment to help veterans and military spouses pursue tech careers. Military spouses in particular are an untapped group of resilient innovators who are unemployed and underemployed even in this booming economy,” said US senator Martha McSally. “It is great to see Acronis SCS invest in Arizona and our vets and military families.“

Attendees of yesterday’s celebration wound down the event with refreshments as they toured a gallery of the winning artwork from Acronis SCS’s Tribute to Service Art Contest. Local artists submitted pieces that paid tribute to the US military for a chance at up to $3,000 in prizes.

The winners were: 

• Grand prize: John Fontana
• Second prize: Jill Brownly
• Third prize: Amanda Noble