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Building Arizona’s Future Workforce with ElevateEdAZ

As part of our ongoing commitment to Arizona-based talent development, S2RC is participating in the ElevateEdAZ internship initiative led by the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation. The program connects high school students with employers across the region to provide hands-on experience in high-wage, high-demand career pathways.

This semester, students pursuing engineering careers are gaining direct exposure to S2RC’s technical workflows through structured work-based learning. Participants are working alongside our engineering and software teams, observing how interface prototypes are developed, how systems are integrated, and how real-world constraints shape technical decisions.

“At S2RC, we’re not just building systems. We’re building the next generation of engineers who understand what it means to work on real problems with operational impact,” said Rick Stone, CEO of S2RC. “These students are stepping into technical environments early, and that’s exactly what the future workforce needs.”

ElevateEdAZ supports structured learning experiences that align classroom instruction with the skills needed in industries such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, information technology, and engineering. The initiative promotes early college credit, industry-recognized credentials, internships, and educator externships to close gaps between education and workforce readiness.

S2RC views early mentorship as a critical component of workforce development. These engagements provide students with authentic insight into engineering practices and allow our teams to support the next generation of technical professionals.

We are proud to support ElevateEdAZ’s mission and look forward to future opportunities to engage with students preparing to lead in complex, technology-driven domains.

About ElevateEdAZ

ElevateEdAZ is an initiative of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation focused on preparing Arizona students for college and career. It aligns education with workforce needs through student internships, job shadows, credentialing opportunities, and educator externships across the region’s most in-demand industries.

Learn more about ElevateEdAZ.

About S2RC

At Stone Solutions + Research Collective (S2RC), our essence lies in pioneering innovation within emerging and disruptive technologies. As a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business and 8(a) firm, we are dedicated to delivering bespoke, cutting-edge solutions that give our clients a competitive edge. Our elite team of Subject Matter Experts spearheads this mission, merging in-depth research, advanced engineering, and comprehensive training into a unified strategy. This approach equips our clients with the foresight and skills necessary to lead and thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape. At S2RC, we don’t just adapt to the future; we shape it.

Anthony Lavazza

VP, Operations

Anthony Lavazza serves as Vice President of Operations at S2RC, bringing over 20 years of expertise in military safety, federal regulatory compliance, and industrial training. He leads S2RC’s operational strategy for its growing Industrial Solutions division, overseeing the delivery of risk-mitigating safety programs, deployment of digital training platforms, and implementation of compliance systems across critical infrastructure and manufacturing environments.

Before joining S2RC, Anthony founded National Safety Group, where he directed high-impact safety engagements for semiconductor and infrastructure clients. His public sector experience includes serving as a Compliance Officer at the U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA), where he was responsible for the enforcement of federal safety regulations across construction, energy, and logistics sectors.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Anthony served more than a decade as a Ground Safety Manager and Bulk Fuel Specialist. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and OSHA Outreach Instructor. His academic background includes a Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Eastern Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Arizona State University.

Anthony’s appointment reinforces S2RC’s commitment to modernizing workplace safety systems through AI-enabled training platforms and ergonomic human-machine interface development. His leadership supports safer, smarter, and more efficient industrial operations across the logistics, manufacturing, and infrastructure domains

Rick Stone

CEO & Founder, S2RC

Rick Stone leads S2RC with over 22 years of experience across government, military, and aerospace sectors. A proven executive and human systems engineer, Rick shapes S2RC’s strategic vision, fosters leadership and team building, and drives innovation and growth.

In addition to his role at S2RC, Rick continues to serve as an Air Force Special Warfare Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). He has also held leadership roles as Vice President of Strategic Planning at Black Diamond Advanced Technology and Director of Business Development at Pison Technologies. Beyond these responsibilities, Rick sits on the boards of several startups, providing strategic guidance and leveraging his extensive operational experience.

Rick holds a Master of Science in Human Systems Engineering from Arizona State University, a BA in Psychology from American Military University, and an associate degree in information technology from the Community College of the Air Force. He maintains a TS/SCI Clearance, FAA Part 107 License, SAFe Agilist Certification, and is a native Spanish speaker. Reflecting his passion for service and community impact, Rick supports veterans’ and children’s charities.