Prop. 102 drive head on target

Phoenix Arizona East Valley Community Index

Prop. 102 drive head on target
Harper brings business and political clout

Jane Larson
Arizona Business Gazette
Aug. 26, 2004 12:00 AM


Sharon Harper runs a real estate company, not a technology company, so she doubted she was the right person to head the campaign for Arizona's technology-transfer amendment.

But Gov. Janet Napolitano convinced Harper, a past chairwoman of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, that her business and political connections were just the ticket. And Harper quickly saw the issue as fundamental to things she cares about: universities, job creation and opportunities for young people, such as her four children and niece.

"It's not just a technology issue," Harper said. "It's a state of Arizona, future-generations issue. Our job is to articulate the message."

Harper, president and chief executive officer of the Plaza Cos. in Peoria, is co-chairwoman of Arizona Forward, the committee formed to push for passage of Proposition 102 on the Nov. 2 ballot.

The proposition, also known as the technology-transfer amendment, would change the state Constitution to allow universities to accept stock in young companies that want to license and commercialize professors' inventions.

East Valley Living - Phoenix Arizona