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S2RC Named Finalist for Greater Phoenix Chamber’s 2026 Excellence in Business Awards

Stone Solutions and Research Collective (S2RC) has been named a Small Business finalist for the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s 2026 Excellence in Business Awards.

The Excellence in Business Awards recognize organizations across the Greater Phoenix region that demonstrate excellence in economic growth and business leadership, community impact and social responsibility, and workplace and cultural excellence.

S2RC was selected as one of three Small Business finalists, alongside Blue Signal Search and Echo Canyon Consulting. The recognition places S2RC among a group of Arizona organizations being recognized for their contributions to business growth, community impact, and workplace culture.

“This recognition reflects the discipline, focus, and execution our team has put into building S2RC,” said Rick Stone, CEO of S2RC. “We are proud to be recognized alongside other strong Arizona organizations and to continue contributing to the region through work that improves how people perform and how systems operate in high-stakes environments.”

S2RC is a human-centered systems company that helps organizations improve how people perform and how systems operate in high-stakes environments. The company supports defense, industrial, commercial, and workforce environments through AI augmentation, systems optimization, retention-driven training, and applied R&D.

The 2026 Business of the Year recipients will be announced during the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Excellence in Business Awards Celebration.

EVENT DETAILS

When

June 9, 2026, 5:00–7:00 PM

Where

Warehouse215, 215 E. Grant Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Register Now

2026 Excellence in business awards finalists

ABOUT THE GREATER PHOENIX CHAMBER

Representing businesses across the Greater Phoenix region since 1888, the Greater Phoenix Chamber catalyzes regional prosperity through forward-thinking public policy, intentional economic growth, and diverse, prepared talent. The Chamber collaborates with business, political, and community leaders to grow the regional talent pool, support economic development, and advance a pro-Arizona agenda.

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.