S2RC Co-Sponsors Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Policy Trip to Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy of Greater Phoenix Chamber

This September, S2RC had the opportunity to co-sponsor the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s 2025 Policy Trip to Washington, D.C., alongside Google. The multi-day engagement brought Arizona business, civic, and academic leaders to the nation’s capital for direct dialogue with federal agencies and members of Congress.

The delegation’s itinerary included meetings with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the White House, and multiple members of Arizona’s bipartisan congressional delegation. S2RC met with Senator Mark Kelly, Congressman Abraham Hamadeh, Congressman David Schweikert, and Congressman Andy Biggs.

While participants brought a range of priorities, S2RC focused its contributions on advancing federal conversations around artificial intelligence, workforce modernization, and small business access to government contracting.

This marks S2RC’s first engagement with the Greater Phoenix Chamber.

Photo courtesy of Greater Phoenix Chamber

“As a veteran-owned business, S2RC was proud to represent the defense innovation community in D.C. We’re grateful to the Greater Phoenix Chamber for elevating Arizona’s small business voice in national policy conversations,” said Rick Stone, Founder and CEO of S2RC.

This engagement supports S2RC’s broader strategy to reduce procurement barriers, champion dual-use technology, and ensure that practical, deployable capabilities developed by small businesses are considered in shaping national policy.

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.