Telesphere's Peterson Wins 2013 'Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year' Award by Arizona Technology Council's Governor's Celebration of Innovation

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arizona Technology Council has named Telesphere CEO Clark Peterson as the recipient for the 2013 "Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year" award.  The honor will be presented at Arizona's premier industry event, the Governor's Celebration of Innovation, held at the Phoenix Convention Center, Nov. 14, 2013.

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"As an Arizona-based business that provides quality technology jobs, Clark and his team have built Telesphere into the leading cloud communications company in the nation," said Steven G. Zylstra, president & CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. "That significant accomplishment, coupled with his more than 23 years of leadership in the communications industry and active involvement in local boards, embodies the true spirit of the coveted Ed Dension award."

The Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year award is presented to an individual who contributes to Arizona's technology industry through sustained growth of their business or company.  Winners are evaluated by a selection committee of experts independent of the Council.

Telesphere is home to approximately 100 employees nationwide and represents a significant investment in the local economy with more than 60 employees based in the Phoenix area.  Nationally, Telesphere provides jobs to employees at its regional offices located in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

Telesphere has grown significantly since it was founded in 2000, and has been recognized three consecutive years on the Inc. 500/5000 national list of Fastest Growing Companies. It is the 62nd fastest growing telecommunications company in the nation according to the 2013 Inc. 500/5000 ranking released last month, and has been recognized by the ACE Awards as one of the top 10 fastest growing private companies in Arizona. Mr. Peterson is chairman and founder of the Cloud Communications Alliance, a national alliance of leading CEOs in the telecommunications industry. In addition to being on the board of Telesphere, he holds a board position with the Arizona Technology Council, is a founding member of the CEO Summit Group in Phoenix, serves on the boards of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, the Boy Scouts of America -- Grand Canyon Area Board, and recently completed three years service with the boards of the Tempe and Phoenix chambers of commerce. 

Community involvement is paramount at Telesphere, taking place at all levels of the organization.  Telesphere supports key organizations that further the development of businesses throughout the Valley.  Telesphere sponsors the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, where Peterson has been the co-chairman for two years of the "Angels for Kids" campaign, the organization's largest source of funding.  The company is active with ASU Athletics, Arizona Small Business Association, the American Red Cross, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Southwest Human Development's Adapt Shop, the American Lung Association, and employees hold frequent community drives for worthwhile organizations.

"I am humbled to be named a recipient of this award.  Ed Denison epitomized all that is good with business leadership and receiving this award is an achievement for which I am deeply grateful.  Alongside every CEO is a great team, and I count myself privileged to spend each day in the outstanding company of the talented men and women at Telesphere; they are the secret to my success," said Peterson.

Customers can connect with Telesphere at https://www.telesphere.com/about/contact-us/, or:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/telesphere
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/telesphere
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/telesphere
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/companies/2102

About the Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona's premier trade association for science and technology companies.  Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work toward furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry.  To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit www.aztechcouncil.org.

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy.  The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: recruit, grow, create – recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to grow their business in Arizona and beyond; and partner with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries. Visit AzCommerce.com for more.

About Telesphere
Telesphere, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a leading provider of Hosted Cloud Communications nationwide.  It offers carrier-grade performance and support for wireline and mobile convergence to businesses over its private IP MPLS network; one of the largest in the nation.  Telesphere's cloud-based services allow businesses of any size to enjoy all the latest voice, video, data and collaboration features of large enterprise systems without the costly investment of on-site equipment.

SOURCE Telesphere