Sep 2, 2026
AZ TRT 2.0 - AZ Tech Ecosystem: Making the World Better Thru Technology w/ Eric Miller of PADT, Inc.
AZ TRT S07 EP13 (295) 8-23-2026
What We Learned This Week
· A great product doesn't build a great company by itself.
Founders eventually have to build the organization around the product—sales, marketing, finance, HR and people. The founder's job changes as the company scales.
· The 80/20 rule applies to company building.
Figure out what you are uniquely good at, keep strategic functions close, and bring in employees, fractional executives or outside specialists to fill the gaps.
· You don't get the value of a technology community by joining—it comes from showing up.
Eric's experience with the Arizona Technology Council, Venture madness & Arizona Commerce Authority demonstrates that relationships, customers, suppliers and friendships develop through repeated participation.
· Arizona's technology economy is much bigger than semiconductors.
Aerospace, photonics, medical devices, university research, startups and advanced manufacturing are all part of the ecosystem. Universities are particularly important because they help turn research into commercial companies.
· Today's technology was somebody's science fiction yesterday.
Eric's Star Trek story is a great reminder that technologies that once seemed impossible—3D printing, advanced lasers, handheld communications and artificial hearts—can eventually become real-world tools that change people's lives.
Guest: Eric Miller, Principal & Co-Founder PADT, Inc.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emillerphx/
Arizona Tech Council – Board Member, premiere org in tech community of AZ
https://www.aztechcouncil.org/
Arizona Commerce Authority – Entrepreneur in Residence, building economy of AZ
Venture Café – Advisor for startups
https://venturecafephoenix.org/
Venture Madness – Board Member for tech pitch competition
Bio:
Business Owner - Engineer - Writer - ANSYS Fan Boy - 3D Printer -
Speaker - Podcaster - Angel Investor
At PADT "We Make Innovation Work"
by helping companies that make physical products by providing them
the engineering services and tools they need. Every day I get to
work with smart employees, interesting customers, and fantastic
vendors.
Those are the basic facts, read on
to learn more or follow my regular musings in the Phoenix Business
Journal
The official
bio:
Eric Miller is a co-owner of Tempe
based PADT, Inc., where he is involved in providing tools and
services to companies who design and manufacture physical products.
He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of
California, Berkeley and has lived in Arizona since 1986. He
started his career focusing on the application of Finite Element
Analysis (FEA) and Computer Aided Design (CAD) to simulate turbine
engine components. Over the years he became recognized as an expert
user of the ANSYS software tool and in the development of custom
software to automate the product simulation and design
process.
As a co-founder of PADT in 1994,
Eric was able to also pursue his interests in IT, graphic design,
additive manufacturing, database programming, and small business
management. As both PADT and the use of advanced engineering tools
grew, Eric became exposed to dozens of different industries and
developed his broad understanding of the application of technology
for product development and manufacturing.
After over three decades in the
industry, Eric is often called upon to write and speak on
simulation, design, and 3D Printing as well as on startups and the
high-tech sector. His involvement in the startup community includes
angel investing as well as mentoring and serving on steering,
screening, and advisory boards of a variety of technical
organizations and institutions.
His current and past "other" jobs
are listed under Experience below.
In his spare time, Eric enjoys
traveling, history, cooking, running (slowly), and learning about
new things.
PADT Inc.
A New Company (1994)
PADT’s founders felt that the tools and skills they used as aerospace engineers to design, analyze, and prototype turbomachinery had applications in other industries. In the summer of 1994, they left their corporate jobs to form Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies, Inc., better known as PADT.
The first office was a one-person executive suite in Tempe, Arizona, crammed with four people and three computers. From this tiny room, they started calling potential customers. Slowly but surely, work began to come in, and the company was off and running. With the purchase of a 3D Systems SLA250 3D printer at the end of 1994, PADT became the first independent Rapid Prototyping service provider in Arizona.
30 Years and Beyond
Doing anything for 30 years is an achievement worth noting. When we approached our 30th anniversary, we were dealing with something we never thought of in 1994, employees were retiring from PADT.
Or 30th year started well with continued growth around simulation. As our long-term partner, Ansys, continues to grow and evolve, so does PADT. The same is true for Flownex, with its adoption across the US, backed by PADT’s sales and support team. The team has also met the challenge of changes in the Additive Manufacturing space, upping our offerings around the medical and aerospace industries. Our 4th decade also so the launch of several products designed with customers by our Product Development team.
Since 1994, PADT has grown to become the most respected technology company in the region. By sticking to its core principles and growing its skill and technology base. The company has positioned itself to continue this by providing the best solutions to new and current customers.
Nerdtoberfest - PADT's annual open house.
2026 Event – Wed. Oct. 28 from 4 - 8pm
- ASU Research Park / Tempe
- PADT open house
- Technology demonstrations
- Community networking
- Partnership with the Arizona Technology Council
- Previous event attracted approximately 700 registrants
Technology ecosystems are built by people getting together—not just companies operating independently.
Notes:
AZ Tech Roundtable — Eric Miller, PADT, Inc.
Interview: August 2026
Guest / Company Overview
Eric Miller & PADT
- Eric Miller is a principal and co-owner of PADT, Inc.
- Eric came from an aerospace engineering background and, with two partners, started PADT in 1994.
- PADT originally stood for Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies.
- The company was founded by engineers to serve mechanical engineers.
- PADT is broader than simply being a 3D-printing company. Its work includes engineering products, services, 3D printing, advanced manufacturing and technologies such as lasers.
- Eric's involvement in Arizona technology extends well beyond PADT:
- Arizona Technology Council board member
- Venture Cafe mentor
- Venture Madness board involvement
- Entrepreneur in Residence at the Arizona Commerce Authority
- Eric is also heavily involved in mentoring companies and giving back to the Arizona technology community.
Segment 1 — What Founders Learn About Building a Company
It's Not Just About Having a Great Product
One of the biggest lessons Eric learned from starting a company is that a good idea and a good product aren't enough.
You also have to build the organization around the product:
- Sales
- Marketing
- Finance/accounting
- HR
- Operations
- People
The founder has to eventually stop thinking only like the person who created the product and start thinking like the person building the company.
The 80/20 Rule for Founders
Eric's advice is to identify the areas where you're strongest and weakest and then determine where your time is best spent.
The founder doesn't have to personally do everything.
Instead:
Know what you need to control and know what you can delegate.
That can mean hiring employees, outsourcing functions or bringing in fractional executives/advisors.
What Should Stay In-House?
Eric's basic rule:
If something is strategic or integral to the business, you generally want to keep it in-house.
For PADT, accounting is an example. Eric chose to keep accounting internally because the company's accounting requirements are very specific to the business.
For another technology company, however, outsourcing finance and accounting might make perfect sense.
Fractional Talent
Eric highlighted the growth of fractional roles.
A company can bring in an experienced person part-time to help with a critical function without taking on the cost of a full-time executive.
This can give a growing company access to:
- Expertise
- Decision-making
- Strategic guidance
- Experience
without requiring a full-time salary.
Hire HR Earlier Than You Think
Eric believes companies should bring in HR expertise relatively early.
Even if HR is initially outsourced, somebody needs to be paying attention to:
- Hiring
- Onboarding
- Benefits
- Employee issues
- Culture
- People management
People are your company's most important asset.
Eric's own company uses Employers Council for HR support.
Strategic Functions vs. Specialized Functions
An interesting distinction from the conversation:
Keep strategic knowledge and decision-making close to the company.
Outsource specialized expertise when it makes sense.
For example, PADT outsources patent work to patent attorneys who often have engineering backgrounds themselves. That gives both sides a common technical language.
Segment 2 — Arizona's Technology Ecosystem
PADT's History of Spinning Out Companies
PADT itself has contributed to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Examples discussed:
Salad and Go - Founded by a former PADT employee.
Luminosity - An engineering/technology consulting company associated with ASU and founded by former PADT employee Tyler Smith.
The larger lesson:
Companies don't just create products. They can create people who go on to create other companies.
PADT has therefore become part of the ecosystem's entrepreneurial "gene pool."
Why Arizona's Tech Community Can Be Confusing
The conversation broke down several organizations that play different roles in Arizona's technology ecosystem.
Arizona Technology Council
Eric described the Arizona Technology Council as one of the most important organizations in the state's technology ecosystem.
- Approximately 700 member companies
- Members span:
- Technology
- IT
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Medical devices
- Eric serves on the board.
- The organization advocates at the state legislature.
- It works to promote business growth.
- It also provides business services, including programs involving areas such as 401(k)s and healthcare.
- Perhaps most importantly, it creates a community for companies and people to meet each other.
The Real Value Is Showing Up
One of Eric's strongest points:
Joining an organization isn't enough.
You have to actually attend the events.
Eric has developed:
- Friendships
- Business relationships
- Customers
- Suppliers
- Partnerships
- through the Technology Council. He originally joined looking for suppliers and customers but discovered that the broader relationships became just as valuable.
The lesson:
You don't get the value of a business community by becoming a member. You get it by participating.
Unexpected Business Relationships
Eric gave the example of developing a partnership with Tom Sullivan of Air2O through his involvement with the Council.
The broader point is that networking often produces opportunities you weren't specifically looking for.
Technology Council Events
Examples discussed:
- Manufacturing showcase with GCU
- Cybersecurity events
- Annual awards event in November
- Other technology/community networking events
The manufacturing event is particularly interesting because Arizona has relatively few traditional manufacturing trade shows despite the state's rapidly expanding manufacturing base.
Segment 3 — Venture Cafe, Venture Madness & the Startup Ecosystem
Venture Cafe
Venture Cafe provides an informal entry point into Arizona's startup and technology community.
- Thursday evenings
- Approximately 5–7 PM
- Phoenix Bioscience Core
- Rotating programming
Topics can include:
- AI
- Food technology
- Aerospace
- Other emerging technologies
- Entrepreneurship
The key idea: you don't need to already be deeply embedded in the startup ecosystem to show up and meet people.
Eric also serves as a mentor.
Other Startup Community Organizations
The discussion also referenced Freeway, associated with Danielle Santangelo, as another part of the startup ecosystem.
Venture Madness
Venture Madness was described as Arizona's premier startup pitch event.
- Designed to connect startups with investors
- Similar in concept to Shark Tank
- Has been operating for more than 20 years
- Originally called Invest Southwest
- Has evolved/pivoted over time to remain relevant to investors and founders
- Eric serves on the board
The core purpose:
Connect capital with companies that are looking for funding.
Arizona Commerce Authority
Public-Private Economic Development
The Arizona Commerce Authority plays a different role from the Technology Council and startup organizations.
Eric described it as a public-private partnership focused on economic development.
Its mission includes:
- Recruiting companies to Arizona
- Helping companies expand in Arizona
- Growing the state's economy
- Supporting founders and funders
Eric serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence.
One major example discussed was the tremendous manufacturing growth in the West Valley, including the arrival and expansion of TSMC.
Arizona Tech Week
The conversation highlighted the first Arizona Tech Week in spring 2026.
It generated more than 400 events, demonstrating the appetite for technology-related engagement across the state.
Arizona's Manufacturing Boom
Aerospace + Semiconductors = Economic Engines
One of the strongest themes in the interview was the transformation of Arizona's economy through technology-driven manufacturing.
Eric identified two especially important sectors:
Semiconductors
Arizona's semiconductor story has deep roots.
The discussion referenced:
- Motorola
- Freescale
- ON Semiconductor
- Intel
- Amkor
- TSMC
The state's semiconductor ecosystem now extends across manufacturing, packaging and supporting technologies.
TSMC
The enormous TSMC investment in the West Valley represents one of the most significant developments in Arizona manufacturing.
Aerospace
Arizona also has a major aerospace ecosystem involving companies such as:
- Northrop Grumman
- Honeywell Aerospace
- Viasat
- Iridium
- Orbital Sciences
The state also has missile and aerospace-related activity in Tucson.
Eric's broader point was that aerospace and semiconductors are becoming major economic engines for Arizona.
Segment 4 — Universities as Technology Economic Engines
A major insight from the interview:
The strongest technology ecosystems tend to be built around universities.
Eric compared Arizona with other major technology centers:
- Silicon Valley
- Boston
- Austin
The common thread is the presence of major universities and research institutions.
Arizona's Three Major Research Universities
University of Arizona
- Tucson
- Strong in optics/photonics
- Medical research
- Technology commercialization
Eric's memorable description of Tucson's optics/photonics ecosystem:
"It's all light."
This can encompass:
- Cameras
- Lenses
- Satellite imaging
- Photonics
- Advanced optical technologies
Arizona State University
- Phoenix/Tempe
- Major research and technology commercialization engine
- SkySong serves as an important technology/community hub
Northern Arizona University
- Flagstaff
- Third major research university contributing to Arizona's technology ecosystem
Turning University Research Into Companies
The universities don't just conduct research.
They can help commercialize research and turn it into businesses.
Examples discussed:
Tech Launch Arizona
Associated with the University of Arizona and focused on moving university technology toward commercialization.
SkySong
ASU's technology/business ecosystem in Scottsdale.
These types of organizations help turn:
Research → Technology → Commercial Product → Company
Areas mentioned include:
- Medical devices
- Cryptography
- Photonics
- Advanced technologies
Eric noted that this university-to-company pipeline is one of the characteristics shared by successful technology ecosystems around the country.
Technology as a Force for Economic Growth
One of the broader ideas running through the interview:
Technology can be an economic engine for an entire region.
Arizona's combination of:
- Universities
- Research
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Semiconductors
- Medical devices
- Startup capital
- Entrepreneurial communities
creates an ecosystem rather than isolated technology companies.
Examples discussed include:
- GE Ultrasound in Tempe
- Medical technology in Tucson
- Artificial-heart technology developed by a Tucson company
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Aerospace and space technologies
- Photonics
Eric also referenced the Arizona company involved in retrieving a sample from an asteroid as another example of the extraordinary technology being developed in the state.
The Human Side of Technology
Star Trek as Inspiration
One of the best personal stories from the interview came at the end.
Eric's original inspiration for technology came from Star Trek.
As a kid, he saw technology portrayed as something that could make the world better.
Today, he gets to work with technologies that once seemed like science fiction:
- 3D printing
- Advanced lasers
- Handheld communication
- Advanced imaging
- Other emerging technologies
The larger idea:
The future we imagined as kids eventually becomes the technology we build as adults.
Eric's work at PADT allows him to experience some of that firsthand.
Bonus Conversation — Star Trek & Branding
There was also an interesting side discussion about Star Trek's visual branding.
The uniforms used color coding to communicate roles:
- Yellow — command
- Red — engineering
- Blue — science
Matt connected this to branding and organizational communication.
The lesson:
Good branding reduces confusion.
When people can immediately understand what something represents, the organization becomes easier to navigate.
This applies not just to logos and colors but to:
- Roles
- Products
- Services
- Organizational structures
- Messaging
Tech Topic:
https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science
Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech
‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT
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