PHOENIX, AZ (March 7, 2025) — The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) today announced that Nick Capozzi will serve as Arizona’s new State Broadband Director. Capozzi replaces Sandip Bhowmick, who has served in the position since February 2022 and is departing for a role in the private sector. 

“We’re excited to welcome Nick in this important role during a time of immense activity and promise for Arizona broadband expansion efforts,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Nick brings high-level experience and a close familiarity with Arizona’s broadband programs, and we look forward to welcoming him to the team.”

Nick comes to the ACA from the Governor’s Office, where he has served as Operations Advisor and State Infrastructure Coordinator. While at the Governor’s Office, Nick has been closely involved in statewide broadband planning and expansion efforts. Prior to that, he served as a budget and grants analyst at the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting.

In 2018, the Arizona Legislature created the position of State Broadband Director, which oversees the State Broadband Office housed within the ACA. Initiatives being advanced by the office include the Arizona Rural Broadband Development Grant (RBDG) program, the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program (ABDG), and the Arizona Broadband Statewide Middle-Mile Strategic Plan as well as the historic Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and Digital Equity Program, which together represent more than $1 billion in funding. 

“I’d also like to thank Sandip for his tremendous leadership in overseeing implementation of these expansive and transformative broadband programs,” said Sandra Watson. “We wish him well in his next role.”

Arizona has been ranked as a top state in the country for its oversight and implementation of federal broadband programs. In 2024, the American Enterprise Institute ranked Arizona top-4 state for broadband expansion in a study that compared all states in areas of transparency, efficiency, and accountability. 

Capozzi begins as State Broadband Director on March 31. 

For more details about state broadband efforts, visit ConnectAllAZ.com.

Media Contact

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.