AzBusiness magazine July/August 2012 by AZ Big Media

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JULY // AUGUST 2012

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JULY // AUGUST 2012

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4 AB | July-August 2012

Az Business on the Go: AzBusinessMagazine.com

hear Them roar the economic downturn affected almost every business. But consider this: women-owned businesses saw sales increase 95.5 percent and employment grow 46.4 percent from 1997-2012, according to an American express OPen research report. “it’s amazing the inroads women business owners have made ... especially in male-dominated industries,” says Carolyn Lefebvre, president and CeO of AutohausAz. com, who has grown her automotive parts business from annual sales of $1.2 million in 1999 to anticipated 2012 sales of $17 million. “the 1970s sales slogan, ‘You’ve come a long way, baby!’ couldn’t be more appropriate had it been scripted specifically for the meteoric rise of women in business.” Women-run companies are flourishing in Arizona. there are 139,500 women-owned businesses that employ 148,700 people and generate $22.1 billion in sales. so it’s an ideal time for an allwomen’s issue. regular departments all feature stories about women business leaders. And to top it off, we unveil our first list of the 50 influential Women in Arizona Business and five that are sure to be the next generation of leaders. enjoy. i guess it’s time for me to put my apron on.

Michael Gossie editor in Chief michael.gossie@azbigmedia.com

President & CeO: MiCHAeL AtkinsOn Publisher: CHerYL Green ViCe President Of OPeratiOns: AudreY WeBB editOrial editOr in Chief: MiCHAeL GOssie editOr: Peter MAdrid

azbusinessmagazine.com on The Web

assOCiate editOr: kristine CAnnOn interns: AuBrie ArtiAnO | ALexA BOWMAn keLLY CHurCH | JOeL MiLLer reMi OMOdArA | MAriA tHOMPsOn

JuLY //

COntributing Writers: ALisOn BAiLin BAtz reBeCCA LArsen art seniOr graPhiC designer: Mike Mertes seniOr graPhiC designer: CHris M. GAnGi COntributing PhOtOgraPher: COrY BerGQuist intern: LindsAY HAnsOn digital Media Web deVelOPer: eriC sHePPerd Web & graPhiC designer: MeLissA Gerke Marketing/eVents Manager: WHitneY fLetCHer OffiCe sPeCial PrOjeCts Manager: sArA freGAPAne exeCutiVe assistant: kAtHY MutsCHLer database sOlutiOns Manager: CindY JOHnsOn arizOna business Magazine seniOr aCCOunt Manager: dAvid HArken

biz Whether you’re a C-Level executive, an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or work for a corporation, you can find information on the latest issues and trends in health care, law, small business, politics, work force, tech and finance. You also can find the latest articles from Arizona Business Magazine.

aCCOunt Managers:

aCCOunt Manager: steve kOsLOWski ranking arizOna ViCe President / sales & Marketing: LenOre GrOBstein exPerienCe arizOna/PlaY ball direCtOr Of sales and Marketing: sCOtt firLe sCOttsdale liVing

tempe-based tilted Kilt has become one of the fastest growing franchises in the country, with 95 pubs by the end of the year.

JuLY 24 — TerminaL TransformaTion

MiCHeLLe MCBAY | sHAnnOn sPiGeLMAn arizOna COMMerCial real estate

JuLY 10 — TK groWTh

buzz Because you’re more than your job, AzBusinessMagazine. com offers tips, resources and articles in our dining, executive lifestyle, health, product reviews, travel, events and green departments.

more than 20 local restaurant favorites will open throughout the summer at phoenix sKy harbor’s terminal 4.

augusT //

aCCOunt Manager: AnitA WeLdOn susAn HArken | dAvid siLver

augusT 14 — booming TraveL

az big Media exPOs sCOttsdALe suPer exPO WOMen’s suPer exPO HOMe & Life suPer exPO exhibit direCtOrs: kerri BLuMsACk | tinA rOBinsOn | sHeri kinG hOMe & design idea Center shOWrOOM Manager: JOAnne stAnLeY Account MAnAger: MAriAnne AviLA event coordinAtor: sArA freGAPAne

Arizona Business Magazine is published bi-monthly by AZ BIG Media, 3101 N. Central Ave. Suite 1070, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, (602) 277-6045. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a SASE. Single copy price $4.95. Bulk rates available. Copyright 2011 by Arizona Business. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from AZ BIG Media.

beYond Here’s your chance to have your voice heard. Our Beyond section is where you or your company can contribute whitepapers, blogs, photos and top-10 lists. You’ll also find videos, podcasts, infographics, a calendar of events and contests.

with a growing social media presence, the roaming boomers are experts on boomers in the travel industry.

augusT 28 — aT home concierge-style psychiatrist offers house calls to high-profile valley residents for talK therapy and more. AB | July-August 2012 5

CEO SERIES // Q&A

Karen Finley president and ceo redfLex Traffic sYsTems, inc. are There misconcepTions abouT redfLex? One of the myths about the photo-enforcement industry is that we are always filming everybody. if you don’t break the law, you don’t get your picture taken. it’s as simple as that. the other thing is that we don’t decide who gets a ticket. it’s up to the police to accept or reject the violation. We just provide a tool for law enforcement. redfLex’s revenues have increased 20-foLd during Your Tenure. hoW did You do ThaT? it’s kind of a halo effect. As you implement a safety program into a community, the community next door is watching. they start talking to colleagues in neighboring communities and it starts to roll. i come out of a service background. We are providing a service to our clients and our focus on customer service has come across to clients. As a company, we have been very successful in winning programs from competitors based on customer service. WhaT quaLiTies does an effecTive ceo have? A lot of CeOs lose track of the fact that it’s the people around them who have helped grow the company. i am somebody who didn’t just land in a top job. i worked my way up. so i understand what it’s like to be the everyday employee. i think that understanding has made me a better leader. it’s important is to have compassion for your staff. hoW is WorKing aT redfLex differenT from oTher indusTries You WorKed in? i worked in operations in the insurance industry and never had to work with anything political. i didn’t even fully understand how the Legislature worked. in the photo-enforcement industry, there is a lot of politics involved. it’s fun because you get to learn how bills become law and you don’t really get an appreciation of that until you work it every day. WhaT has been Your biggesT chaLLenge? Managing the magnitude of growth — especially in the early days — and making sure we had the right people in the right seats and retaining those people was the biggest challenge. it was a stressful time — the fun kind of stress — but it was a new technology and we were the first to 6 AB | July-August 2012

photo by cory bergquist

use digital technology, so there was a lot of hand-holding and educating clients on the efficacy of the images. it was a very exciting, but challenging time. WhaT is Your greaTesT accompLishmenT? When i came to redflex in 1998, we had three contracts and about 20 employees. today, we have 262 contracts and have 395 employees. i attribute that growth to the strength of the redflex family. i am very proud of that. WhaT advice WouLd You give To Women Who aspire To have a c-LeveL managemenT Job? don’t give up. Be open to new new ideas. When i was working at an insurance company 14 years ago, if someone told me i would be where i am today, i wouldn’t have believed them. finding a good mentor is still the best way to learn. there are a lot of things that come up every day that business school just doesn’t teach you. there is nothing in a textbook that can teach you how to manage through a crisis. But a good mentor can. if You Weren’T doing WhaT You’re doing noW, WhaT WouLd You be doing? if money wasn’t an object, i would do more with my dog rescue, which is something that is very near and dear to me. i would foster more dogs and find more homes for dogs.

see the video on

AzBusinessMagazine.com Video provided by Cory Bergquist

viTaL sTaTs: Karen finLeY 4 Promoted to president and CEO of Redflex in the spring of 2006. 4 Before joining Redflex, spent 20 years in the insurance industry, most recently as the director of corporate services where she oversaw 200 employees. 4 Earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix and her master’s in finance from Western International University. 4 Has a passion for dogs, especially Weimaraners. She dedicates much of her personal time to rescuing dogs and is in the process of setting up a 501c3 with a group of other dog lovers.

FIRST JOB // Q&A

aMBer COX president and coo phoenix mercurY photo by duane darling

WhaT Was Your firsT Job? My mom and stepdad owned a wholesale greenhouse that was practically connected to our house with thousands of plants of every shape and size. i helped with all phases of the business, including washing pots, planting, mixing dirt, loading trucks and taking orders. the best part was our “dirt room,” which was a giant space with concrete floors and high ceilings. it included a basketball hoop. i spent more than half of my childhood and teenage years in that place, working on my game and chasing my basketball down before it disappeared in the dirt wagon. WhaT did You Learn from ThaT firsT Job? Hard work. By the time i was in middle school, i was working 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day in the summer. And when your mom is the boss, there is no slacking. WhaT Was Your firsT Job in Your currenT indusTrY and WhaT Were Your duTies? i was the first sports information director at my alma mater (William Woods university) in Missouri. i compiled stats, wrote press releases and assisted in weekly nominations for player of the week in our various sports. WhaT Were Your saLaries in Your firsT Job and firsT indusTrY Job? Working for my parents, i made $5 or $6 an hour. And they let me back in the house every night! When i worked as a sid, i was a graduate assistant. i was able to complete my MBA and continue living and eating for free a bit longer. that was the life! Who is Your biggesT menTor? Jay Parry, the senior vice president of the suns brand and business development. Jay hired me eight years ago 8 AB | July-August 2012

when she was the president of the Mercury. next to my mom and grandmother, Jay has had more influence on me than any other person. Jay works harder than anyone i’ve ever met and is a leader everyone wants to follow. she’s taught me to demand the best from myself and those around me without losing sight of the fact that we work in an incredible industry. don’t compromise your work (“the devil is in the details”), but don’t lose sight that the real fun is in the journey. hoW is being presidenT of a sporTs Team differenT from being presidenT of a more TradiTionaL business? Being a part of two championship runs is like nothing i could have dreamed as a kid. And a journey no other job can replicate. And as a basketball fan, watching diana taurasi play night in and night out for seven seasons — that’s a dream come true. But the WnBA means more than wins and losses to me. Growing our fan base and bringing in more sponsors means this league will be around for years to come and give girls an opportunity to play professional basketball for a living or even do my job. i’m very passionate about making sure that’s always a dream that’s available to boys and girls. WhaT advice WouLd You give someone enTering Your indusTrY TodaY? do what you love and love what you do. And as my grandma always says, “don’t let anyone outwork you.” if You Weren’T doing WhaT You’re doing TodaY, WhaT WouLd You be doing insTead? i’d be the lead singer in a southern rock band, touring the country doing covers of Lynard skynard and the steve Miller Band.

aLpha // Women

NATURALLY, it’s a GREAT BUSINESS shoporganic provides heaLTh-conscious consumers WiTh naTuraL producTs onLine bY michaeL gossie

ara silverstein says passion and connection led to the development of an innovative Arizona-based and womenowned business. “We had all worked closely together at a previous employer,” silverstein says. “We realized we made a great team and had a complimentary blend of skills to start a business together, so we created a business plan for shopOrganic in early 2008 and launched the website that May.” shopOrganic — which silverstein owns with business partners susan snedaker and Lisa Mainz — offers organic and natural products to online customers throughout the u.s. and Canada. Products range from groceries and bulk, household and cleaning supplies, to health and beauty, pet products and more. “We are all passionate supporters of organic agriculture and as more and more shopping shifts to online shopping, we wanted to create a site for customers who are looking for quality organic foods and natural products,” silverstein explains. “food choices are so intensely personal and people are realizing that clean, healthy food is a healthy choice. Our goal was to create an e-commerce site that is inviting and easy to use and is packed with reliable product information.” silverstein says shopOrganic’s best-selling products are organic ingredients that are the foundation of great meals — olive oil, herbs and spices, sprouted or wild rice and other grains, nuts, seeds and dried 10 AB | July-August 2012

from left: lisa mainz, cara silverstein, and susan snedaker, the founders and owners of shoporganic.

fruits. Quantities range in size from one to 50 pounds. “We have been able to identify two main demographic segments,” Mainz says. “One is the urban customer with high income and education levels from areas such as new York, Phoenix and Chicago. these customers appreciate both high quality organic foods as well as unique gourmet and artisanal products that they can’t find locally. Our other main segment is the rural customer who is interested in a sustainable lifestyle, but has limited local access to organic and natural products.” despite launching the business in the midst of the economic downturn,

snedaker says they have been able to grow the business each year and are in the process of revamping the company’s current website to include four distinct stores: shopOrganic, shopnatural, shopGMOfree, and shopGlutenfree. “We adjusted and responded, and in this economic climate, that’s a real accomplishment,” snedaker says. “We’ve not only survived, we’ve thrived. We have a strong, loyal and growing customer base. We have the highest quality organic and natural products on the market today and the three of us are still great friends and business partners. that’s what we’re proud of.”

“I wish for a princess party.” Mikaela, age 2½ Mikaela is a little girl from Surprise with progressive lung disease. Even though she is ventilator-dependent and non-verbal, her parents knew a princess-themed party would fulfill her greatest wish. That wish came true thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona. ®

All of her favorite princesses attended, and the day was filled with lots of balloons, bubbles, fairy wands, and presents. “This was the best memory I have with her,” said mom, Melody.

Read Mikaela’s full story and donate online at wishaz.org.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona 602-395-9474 711 East Northern Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85020

This ad was generously donated by Stevens Leinweber Construction.

aLpha //smaLL biz

stacey barnes, co-owner of goodytwos toffee company

GOODyTWOS toffee company is SWeeT on TeCHnOlOGy scoTTsdaLe business uses cLoud-based ipad app To groW cusTomer base bY michaeL gossie

ho would have thought that a business which handcrafts toffee from scratch daily using local ingredients could be a technological innovator? On the heels of its recent expansion into a larger space in scottsdale, adding a full toffee bar and enhancing its product line, scottsdale-based Goodytwos toffee Company has launched an innovative element into its brand: iPad registers and a streamlined back-end portal. unveiled in April, the new point of sale (POs) system, called shopkeep, utilizes cloud-based technology and iPads, 12 AB | July-August 2012

which allows small businesses to grow more effectively. Goodytwos owners and motherdaughter duo, donna Gabrilson and stacey Barnes, have recently replaced their bulky cash registers with two sleek white iPads affixed to an acrylic dock, which flips so customers are able to see their order, slide their debit or credit cards and sign their receipt on the touch screen. since starting the company in 2004 using their original family recipe in their home kitchen, the company’s owners have seen technology advance drastically. so the team decided to utilize the technology available, make

a smart change and switch to a Web-based program which would allow them more freedom in their business decisions. the system is connected to an online portal or app called BackOffice, which automatically updates bookkeeping, sales, graphs, inventory and more while offering a more streamlined approach to the business. “i can pull up the app on my phone while working remotely and see daily sales, what products are moving and essentially be more effective in our day-to-day operations,” says Barnes, co-owner of Goodytwos. the move to the iPads represents Goodytwos’ dedication to a quality product with an innovative twist. “the system allows us to show our brand in a new, exciting way,” says Gabrilson. “Goodytwos has always been about our wholesome products showcased in a modern, fun light and this adds an element of technology to Goodytwos.” not only are the owners enhancing their business using this new POs system, Gabrilson and Barnes are also in the process of completing the Academy for the Advancement of small, Minority-and Women-owned enterprises (AAAMe) program sponsored by APs. the AAAMe is a two-year business-mentoring program which allows selected entrepreneurs the opportunity to attend business training classes, build networks, develop resources and meet with individual advisors to assist them in reaching their next level of business success. “We hope, and actually know that AAAMe has and will continue to provide us with the necessary tools to continue growth in an effective smart way and not just by shooting from the hip,” says Barnes. “in turn it will not only help take your business to the next level of running smarter but also creating more jobs in Arizona and helping the local economy grow.” SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTh Valley residents can satisfy their sweet cravings and technology itches by visiting GoodyTwos Toffee Company at 6990 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or order their favorite toffee ﬂavors online at goodytwos.com.

Wet your whistleâ&#x20AC;Ś

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heaLTh

HOUSE

CALLS MAKE A COMEBACK

home visiTs from heaLThcare professionaL mighT be a beTTer and cheaper WaY of providing TreaTmenT bY michaeL gossie

edical care has changed dramatically in the 21st century. the thought of a medical professional turning up at her patient’s home, medical bag in hand, is an oldfashioned and idyllic idea that most of us thought had seen its day. think again. Medical professionals in the valley are showing patients that house calls might be a better and more costeffective way of providing treatment, especially for busy business executives, stay-at-home mothers of multiple children, and the elderly who have a difficult time getting out of the house. “We are cutting out all the excuses people have for not taking care of themselves,” said shuree k. OldehoeftOhlemann, a physician’s assistant and owner of Arizona Mobile Medicine. “We take care of busy business executives that don’t want to stop to go to the doctor. We go to their office. We have stay-at-home mothers who don’t want to deal with taking all three kids to the doctor, so we go to their home. We also take care of some older folks who don’t want to have to leave their home.” Oldehoeft-Ohlemann says the medical professionals with Arizona 14 AB | July-August 2012

shuree K. oldehoeft-ohlemann, a physician’s assistant and owner of arizona mobile medicine, works with a patient during a house call. photo by cory bergquist

Mobile Medicine can do everything in a home or office than can be done in a primary care physician’s office. “there really aren’t any limitations,” said Oldehoeft-Ohlemann, whose company can do everything from blood sugar checks to botox injections. “We’ve tried to cut out every limitation or obstacle. We even carry common prescriptions so you don’t have to go to the pharmacy. We try to make it as convenient as possible so we are a one-stop shop for our patients’ medical needs.” And in an era of spiraling medical costs, house calls can actually be relatively affordable. Most medical professionals in the valley who make house calls charge around $150-$175 for a house call. Most don’t take insurance. “What most people like best is the personalized care we are able to give them,” said Megan spears, a nurse practitioner and owner of Arizona House Calls, which offers house calls to treat chronic medical conditions such as heart failure, emphysema, diabetes, high blood pressure,

paralysis and others. “for those who are taking care of loved ones, we are able go into the home while they are working to handle medical needs. We almost become part of the family.” Another big segment for the house-call industry are tourists and winter visitors. to help with their guests’ medical needs, OldehoeftOhlemann is on call for sanctuary on Camelback Mountain resort and spa, the Boulders, and scottsdale Marriott at Mcdowell Mountains. “Most of the questions people have,” Oldehoeft-Ohlemann said, “are, ‘Am i going to get the same person each time? Can you be my primary care physician? do you take credit cards?’ the answer to all those questions is ‘yes.’ “We are bringing back personalized care,” she continued. “We have gotten so far away from that and people get so frustrated when they have to see a different person each time they go to the doctor’s office. the bottom line is that we just want to help people. it’s as simple as that.”

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Garden Elements Mist America Paradise Greens & Turf Company Phoenix Energy Products Premier Kitchen & Bath Sir Grout Sun City Awnings Sunwest Painting World Wide Stone Corporation Open to the Public Daily Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

19120 N. Pima Rd. Scottsdale 85255 On Pima Rd (Exit 36) just North of the 101 480.941.HOME (4663) AzIdeaCenter.com |

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AB | July-August 2012 15

LaW

rOSe blooms aTTorneY Leads LargesT femaLe-run and innovaTive LaW firm in arizona bY michaeL gossie

ordan rose literally launched rose Law Group out of a storage space. in the 12 years since the 41-year-old leased space in another lawyer’s storage room to start her own law firm, she has grown the firm to the largest woman-owned law firm in Arizona. rLG is also the state’s only law firm to combine attorneys with urban planners, Leed-certified consultants, project managers, energy consultants, and construction project managers so the firm can take a project from due diligence and acquisition through planning and project management to actual construction. rose’s singular goal: “to make my clients more money.” rose sat down with Az Business to answer a few questions: q: WhaT has been The biggesT chaLLenge To deveLoping a femaLe-Led LaW firm? a: i was brought up to never even consider that my gender could be a factor in my success or failures. i don’t think i have ever contemplated the idea that i am a woman and that this might pose some unique 16 AB | July-August 2012

challenge as a business owner. i just work hard, as any man or woman would, love what i do, and we get great results for our clients. i have never had a circumstance where someone has said, “i just can’t work for a woman,” but i assume that if there are people with that feeling i would likely not be aware as they would never come ask me for a job in the first place. q: are There anY advanTages To being a femaLe in command of a LaW firm? a: i am digging deep for this one … my clients, without any prompting, seem inclined to carry my heavy zoning presentation materials or project site plan boards. My bet is if i was a man, that just would never happen. q: WhaT quaLiTies do You have ThaT heLped You creaTe such a successfuL LaW firm? a: i have always had an ability to spot excellence. Luckily, i have had the honor of convincing excellence to come and join the rLG family. My Grandma Julie used to tell me, “surround yourself with people smarter than you, listen to them and help them to become better than they were when you met them,” and you will not only succeed, but you will live quite a fulfilling life. i try hard to live by that.

q: WhaT accompLishmenT are You mosT proud of? a: i am eternally grateful that as a law firm so heavily invested in the real estate business, we survived, and figured out a way to even grow during the economic chaos. Also, rLG is a positive, high energy atmosphere where our lawyers and project managers are committed to figuring out how to solve complicated issues and get to “yes” for our clients. We have a reputation as problem solvers and i love that. q: WhaT advice WouLd You give oTher Women Who are enTering The LegaL profession TodaY? a: if you are a good lawyer, you have really been given the gift of being able to solve people’s most pressing problems. You need to take that “gift” very seriously. treat each client’s issue as if it was your own and use every creative and analytical skill you have to figure out how to resolve their stress. it is just such a privilege to have people come to you and trust that you can and will solve their problems. Wake up each day grateful you are being asked to help.

AB | July-August 2012 17

Tech

a GENDER GAP to INNOVATION

ne of the well-known and hard realities of the technology sector is that there is a historic and continuing underrepresentation of women. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics Current Population survey, women make up 47 percent of the u.s. professional workforce, but only 28 percent of the core it positions. there are many ways that Arizona can create an environment of encouragement that can disrupt negative stereotypes about women’s capacity in science, technology, engineering and Math (steM) fields and help them succeed. in the area of public policy, the Arizona technology Council recently joined forces with nine other technology associations in the u.s. representing more than 5,000 member companies to support the “fairness in Women-Owned small Business (“WOsB”) Contracting Act of 2012,” u.s. senate bill 2172. the legislation was crafted to repeal the severe limitation of the WOsB federal Contract program that authorizes five percent of federal prime and subcontracts to be set aside for WOsBs. However, an agency is allowed to invoke this set-aside only when the contracting offer has an expectation that two or more WOsBs will submit offers. the fact that women are so severely underrepresented in technology acts as a barrier to entry. the Council will continue to work for passage of this important legislation. the Council also sponsors a Women in the Workforce Committee with free quarterly programming for Council members that is both empowering and educational. Chaired by debi McMahon Caron of trans-West network solutions, the next program is scheduled for August 22 at skysong. this session is designed to arm women with practical tools to use for fostering healthy relationships. Caroline vaningen-dunn of the 18 AB | July-August 2012

science foundation, Arizona (sfAz) reinforces that the best way to recruit women in engineering is to have role models. Caroline is a great role model herself with a 20-year Steven G. Zylstra career in engineering tech columnist research and steM education. now, Caroline uses her expertise at sfAz to help build and manage the Arizona steM network. in this role, she teaches internships and helps manage after school programs that feature hands-on projects, teamwork and communicating, the kind of activities that girls relate to best. Arizona’s colleges and universities are also very supportive of women in steM careers. At Asu, CompuGirls is a technology program for girls in grades 8-12 from under-resourced school districts in the Phoenix area; Asu has another program called science is fun; the university of Arizona uses a grant from the nsf to help the institute for Mathematics education pair graduate students with introductory level students to provide the foundation needed to succeed in engineering. special programs at the Arizona science Center helps Girls scouts earn a variety of science-related badges. And girls can explore the Center’s interactive exhibits, experience science activities, and take a trip to the stars inside the science Center’s dorrance Planetarium. Women’s educational progress should be celebrated, yet more work is needed to ensure that women and girls have full access to educational and opportunities in steM and Arizona should continue to help them break through barriers. Steven G. Zylstra is president and chief executive officer of the arizona technology council.

THE MOST FEMALE DIRECTORS Here are the top 10 Arizona-based public companies, ranked by the percentage of women on their boards of directors: 1. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: 44% What they do: Operate P.F. Chang’s and Pei Wei restaurants. 2. (tie) Apollo Group, Inc.: 33% What they do: Provide higher education to working adults. 2. (tie) WindGen Energy: 33% What they do: Create clean, environmentally friendly energy. 4. Pinnacle West Capital Corp.: 27% What they do: Generate, sell and deliver electricity and energy-related products and services. 5. IR Bioscience Holdings: 25% What they do: Focuses on the research and development of pharmaceuticals. 6. US Airways Group: 22% What they do: Airline travel and transportation. 7. (tie) Viad: 20% What they do: Provide services for trade-show organizers and exhibitors. 7. (tie) Universal Technical Institute: 20% What they do: Post-secondary education provider. 7. (tie) Providence Service Corp.: 20% What they do: Provides social services and non-emergency transportation. 10. (tie) Avnet: 18% What they do: Distributor of electronic components. 10. (tie) PetSmart: 18% What they do: Provides products and services for pets and their owners. 10. (tie) Spirit Finance Group: 18% What they do: Lowers clients cost of capital with customized real estate financing strategies.

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ccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up 47 percent of the total labor force. In the tribal gaming industry in Arizona, that statistic is significantly lower. “In tribal gaming, women account for only 25 percent [of the labor force], far less than the U.S. standard,” says Patricia Tate, senior vice president and chief financial officer for Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort. “Throughout my career, I have found women in management to be rare,” Tate says. “To get started and to work in the gaming industry, I don’t see barriers for women. To rise into management, however, there are obstacles.” Tate explains that the concept of the “glass ceiling” still exists, and pay inequalities as well as differences in perception pose challenges for women in the gaming industry. “[An] assertive or ambitious [woman is] often considered a 20 AB | July-August 2012

‘witch,’” Tate asserts. “However, men who demonstrate the same assertive or ambitious traits are often considered ‘leaders.’” Tate adds that with so few female executives in the industry, it is important to recognize women who stand out and to encourage them to continue to grow and achieve. “I believe better training needs to be established in the area of leadership and not just for women,” Tate says. “Once better training is accomplished, then developing women throughout the industry can be accomplished in tandem.” Though not targeted specifically toward women, Casino Arizona’s “Pathways to Success” mentoring program benefits members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, many of who are women. In addition, leadership classes are offered to all employees. Tate considers these programs to be an investment in the future of Casino Arizona both in terms of profit and career

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Tourism development within the tribal gaming industry. “Woman are a prominent part of not only the management teams, but also the overall operations of casinos in the gaming industry in Arizona,” says Melody Hudson, public relations manager for Gila River Gaming Enterprises. “Traditionally, the gaming industry has been a male-dominated field. However, the industry has made a significant amount of progress as it relates to

women working in the gaming industry. “I do not view being female as a barrier to entry in the gaming field because I believe it works like anything else in life, you work hard and are rewarded for your achievements and efforts.” Tate agrees: “There are many diverse career options to be explored and any barriers can and will eventually be broken.”

GAmE chANGERS Here are some of the top female executives at Arizona casinos:

beth amoroso, director of human resources, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino ernestine boyd, assistant marketing director, Fort McDowell Casino elizabeth “libby” francisco, chief operations officer, Desert Diamond Casino & Entertainment Melody hudson, public relations manager, Gila River Gaming Enterprises janice Ponziani, chief financial officer, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino Patricia tate, chief financial officer, Talking Stick Resort and Casino Arizona Carolyn Thompson, general manager, Lone Butte Casino kimberly Van amburg, senior vice president and general counsel, Casino del Sol taryn Webster, director of casino games, Vee Quiva Casino 22 AB | July-August 2012

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stella shanovish, left, has headed up the “women at grant thornton” initiative on both a local and national level.

WOMEN AT GRANT THORNTON INITIATIVE CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE FEMALES CAN THRIVE bY aLison baiLin baTz

24 AB | July-August 2012

for stella shanovich, an audit partner at Grant thornton in Phoenix, her team is anything but a Good Ol’ Boys’ network or a Women-Only Club. it’s a group of men and women focused on building a dynamic, talented team. “However, while inclusivity is key, it is also important to understand women and men are different in the ways we lead, communicate and build relationships,” says shanovich, who became Grant thornton’s first female partner in the Phoenix office in 2008. “these differences are neither wrong nor right — just different.” it is the celebration of these differences that has helped Grant thornton thrive in the valley over these past eight years. A chief collaboration is “Women at Grant thornton.” the initiative, which shanovich has headed on both a local and national level, focuses on: • Ensuring a culture that enhances retention and recruitment of women; • Enhancing personal development in client serving areas; • Increasing awareness of women’s successes; • Increasing the number of women in leadership roles within the organization.

Women at grant thornton by the numbers*

1666

Client serving women

Women partners

17%

Women in partnership

197%

Increase of women in the partnership since 2004

Women in executive leadership positions

*As of August 1, 2011

Today, half of our leadership roles here in Phoenix are filled by females,” Nefdt says. “But the real power of the Women at Grant Thornton program lies in its ‘people focus,’ not simply its female focus.

shanovich and her team connect this mission statement to one or more of the firm’s strategic drivers, including revenue growth, talent development, operational excellence, client service and branding, when considering an event or program for the initiative. Her team identifies the specific audience for each individual effort — be it females, males, seniors, staff, partners and managers or even newcomers. the result? five signature education programs: • Centered Leadership, which focuses on developing leaders through the way they think, act and communicate to achieve impact; • Executive Presence, which focuses on image in the business world; • Networking, which focuses on techniques for building productive and mutually-beneficial relationships; • Rainmaking, which focuses on cultivating relationships into business opportunities; • Conﬂict Cure, which focuses on awareness through recognizing one’s conflict style as well as how to constructively defuse conflict. shanovich and her team have also participated in, or

sponsored, women-in-business panel discussions, negotiation skills training, work-life integration seminars and dress-for-success events. According to ralph nefdt, Grant thornton’s Phoenix office managing partner, the Women at Grant thornton program helped senior management truly understand that to develop great leaders, it must develop a culture of flexibility. this realization has led to flexible work policies, back-up dependent care, adoption assistance, paid parental leave and more for all members of the team nationwide. “today, half of our leadership roles here in Phoenix are filled by females,” nefdt says. “But the real power of the Women at Grant thornton program lies in its ‘people focus,’ not simply its female focus.” As such, the men at Grant thornton are regularly invited and encouraged to participate in the various activities/ events to enhance their skills as well. “Arizona businesses deserve the benefit of a team dedicated to leveraging their talents to bring innovation and perspective,” shanovich says. “We bring our clients collaborative individuals who believe in having a voice and being part of something different.” AB | July-August 2012 25

Congratulations to our own Stella Shanovich and all of Arizona’s Influential Women.

At Grant Thornton, we help dynamic organizations unlock their potential for growth. We participate in an ongoing dialog with our clients and bring our best audit, tax and advisory thinking to the table so they can make informed decisions, based on sound financial fundamentals, that consider all the angles. Dynamic companies work with us because we know what succeeds for growth. Contact us at GrantThornton.com. Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

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WOMEN in banKing

GIRLS JUST WANNA hAVE FUND$ Women maKe a big impacT on arizona banKing indusTrY bY aLison baiLin baTz

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AB | July-August 2012 29

WOMEN in banKing

ennsylvania native Julia Dollarhide moved to the Valley in 2004 and joined the Biltmore Bank of Arizona as chief operations ofﬁcer. In less than a decade, she has helped the community bank expand to a second location, has overseen a full system conversion and ensured the ﬁnalization of a multi-million-dollar capital investment that will give the bank the funds necessary to help businesses grow as Arizona comes out of this recession. Phoenix native deborah Bateman joined valley national Bank in 1971 as a teller and has risen in the ranks over the course of four decades to executive vice president, director of wealth strategies. she serves on the bank’s executive committee and board of directors while overseeing several of the bank’s key departments. so, are these two successful female bankers the rule or the exception in Arizona? Both. 30 AB | July-August 2012

According to the Wall street Journal, between 2001 and 2010, the number of women over the age of 55 in finance fields rose by more than 45 percent. “i think this reflects women like me, who may have started as tellers in their 20s, found mentors and used their skills to gain exposure and expertise,” said Bateman. “for those of us who stick with the profession, the rewards are plentiful.” However, the Wall street Journal also reports that during the same period, the number of women between the ages of 20 and 34 working in the

finance industry actually dropped by more than 20 percent. “this is a tough age for women in our business,” said Bateman. “Aside from the women who leave the industry to start families, a great number also leave to start their own businesses or to move to a related industry to escape middle management.” Case in point — Bateman left valley national Bank in her early 30s to launch a consulting business, only to return to the bank more than a decade later and burst through the glass ceiling.

BY THE NUMBERS

According to the 2011 Catalyst Census of Women Executive Officers and Top Earners, women accounted for more than 25 percent of all senior officers in the finance and insurance industries. Further, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2011, women made up the following percentages of these related occupations:

54.2%

of financial managers

61.3%

of accountants and auditors

34.8%

31.2%

of financial analysts of personal financial advisors

63.3%

of banking and related activities

72.3%

of savings institutions, including credit unions

Today, some of the Valley’s top female executives think the banking industry has unlimited potential for Arizona women. “Compared with the rest of the country, it’s not harder to be successful in Arizona as a woman in banking, and the number of (female) senior executives in banking has improved, but is still not proportionate (with men),” said Pamela Chan, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Alliance Bank of Arizona. Jennifer Goralski, who left the Arizona banking market for Orange County in recent years but continues to serve local banking-related organizations, notes that women must be willing to be the minority — and leverage it. “As a lender, I have always been either the only female or among one or two females on teams of 10 or more,” said Goralski. “But, this has worked in my and so many other women’s favors as we are great collaborators and communicators. We make an impact — a positive one — and people notice.”

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WOMEN IN BANKING

TOP ARIZONA WORKPLACES FOR WOMEN

Here are 10 companies, ranked by the number of Arizona employees, that were selected by az magazine and Best Companies AZ as being among the top workplaces for women in Arizona.

- JP MORGAN CHASE & CO., Percent of female employees in AZ: 61 percent - US AIRWAYS, Percent of female employees in AZ: 45 percent - DIGNITY HEALTH, Percent of female employees in AZ: 76 percent - AMERICAN EXPRESS, Percent of female employees in AZ: 58 percent - JOHN C. LINCOLN HEALTH NETWORK, Percent of female employees in AZ: 77 percent - SONORA QUEST LABORATORIES, Percent of female employees in AZ: 75 percent - VERIZON WIRELESS, Percent of female employees in AZ: 45 percent - VANGUARD, Percent of female employees in AZ: 40 percent - GOODWILL OF CENTRAL ARIZONA, Percent of female employees in AZ: 57 percent - BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA, Percent of female employees in AZ: 78 percent

PRACTICAL ADVICE “Banking is neither strictly about crunching numbers nor counting how many other women are on the team,” said Dollarhide. “It is, more and more, about relationships and community.” Bateman echoes Dollarhide’s sentiments, even advising graduates with liberal arts degrees to look into the field. “I could not agree more,” said Goralski. “Banking is among the most teachable of industries for men or women with a variety of college degrees.” It is also among the most specialized. “Men, in general, are more transaction-oriented, while women excel at creating relationships,” said Bateman. “In commercial banking, there is a real emergence of female leaders due to the importance put on both relationship building and maintenance.” According to Bateman, community also counts when it comes to advancement for men or women. “Think about it. When you get a charter for a bank, one thing you 32 AB | July-August 2012

must show in building the business case is that the bank will make a difference in the community and positively impact economic development,” said Bateman. This means two things — one must help the bank to make the community a better place through the ability to create money, but also by being aware of what those in the community need. For example, the Biltmore Bank was recently approved for a capital investment, which literally creates money to help Arizona businesses grow. However, Dollarhide and her team also take great pride in servant leadership, which focuses on the idea that in order to effectively lead a community; one must take an active part in it. As such, Dollarhide and her Biltmore Bank team have given back time and funds to hundreds of organizations, including Knight Transportation Company Board, TGen Foundation Board, Mayo Clinic Advisory Board, Thunderbird School of Global Management Board of Trustees, Phoenix Art Museum, Greater

Julia Dollarhide, chief operations officer, Biltmore Bank of Arizona

Phoenix Leadership, St. Vincent de Paul, Valley of the Sun YMCA, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Valley of the Sun Communities in Schools, Midtown Rotary Club, Junior Achievement, Risk Management Association and many more. Never one to rest on her laurels, Bateman also puts her advice into practice as an Arizona Skills Standard Commissioner for the Arizona State Department of Education, as well as a board member of Homeward Bound and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to name a few. In total, Bateman and her team are involved in more than 50 of our communities and 2,000 nonprofits statewide. “Women who want to lead — especially in our industry — have to put in time at the desk and in the field, both with clients and our community,” said Dollarhide. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT One way to get involved in the community while learning about banking specialization and seeking mentors is through professional development organizations. There are several local organizations that offer critical networking and professional development opportunities to women in banking.

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WOMEN IN BANKING

VALLEY LEADERS

Here are some of Arizona’s top-ranking women in the banking industry:

- Emily Amparan, committee chair, Women in Banking - Deborah Bateman, executive vice president and director of wealth strategies, National Bank of Arizona - Pamela Chan, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Alliance Bank of Arizona - Pamela Conboy, Arizona regional president, Wells Fargo - Hana Deiter, senior vice president for commercial banking in Arizona, JPMorgan Chase - Julia Dollarhide, senior vice president and COO, Biltmore Bank of Arizona - Susan Frank, president and CEO, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union - Lisa George, senior vice president and retail-banking manager, BMO Harris Bank, N.A. - Lynne Herndon, city president, BBCA Compass - Candace Hunter Wiest, president and CEO, West Valley National Bank - Jill A. Janka, senior vice president and commercial real-estate banking executive, Bank of America - Jamie Korus, president, Alliance Financial Resources, LLC. - Mary Martuscelli, Arizona president, JPMorgan Chase - Patricia Rourke, Phoenix market president, Bankers Trust - Samantha Simonetti-Sturgeon, market manager for branches in Phoenix and Scottsdale, JPMorgan Chase - Sherri Slayton, senior vice president; manager, Northern Arizona Region; Alliance Bank of Arizona - Valerie Trottier, senior vice president, senior corporate and institutional trust administrator, Northern Trust - Georgia Velarde, vice president, Washington Federal Savings - Judie Verb, senior vice president and regional manager for consumer banking, U.S. Bank Among the most respected is the Women in Banking (WIB) Committee. “Since 2006, our organization has grown from a mere 14 women meeting at Chevy’s for lunch to a powerful group of more than 1,000 bankers, consultants, marketers and business owners from around the Valley,” said Emily Amparan, chair of WIB. “While the venue has changed, our mission of bringing the finance and business community together for networking, education, and an exchange of ideas has not.” The group is open to members and non-members alike, as well as to men. “If someone is looking to get involved and meet a wide array of women from all walks of the business community, 34 AB | July-August 2012

we recommend attending one of our regular luncheons,” said Amparan. The luncheons begin with nearly an hour of concentrated networking as well as introductions to vendors and potential mentors. The actual program focuses on giving practical advice that attendees can apply to the current economic climate and in their own teams. This organization has been so successful, in fact, that it has been honored as the top chapter of its kind in the nation for 10 years. “When I came to Orange County from Arizona, I still made time to take part in WIB,” said Goralski. “In fact, we launched our own chapter here in California based on the Arizona model.”

Pamela Chan, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Alliance Bank of Arizona

Deborah Bateman, executive vice president, director of wealth strategies, National Bank of Arizona

FINAL THOUGHTS Some final thoughts from Bateman on making a name for oneself in the banking industry: • Let people know what you want and why. • Be strategic and vocal about your career path. • Be a mentor and a mentee. • Take feedback. • Stay honest. • Ask for help. • Reward yourself.

You can bank on Bateman’s wise

AB | July-August 2012 35

FIFTY O 5

MOST INFLUENTIAL

WOMEN IN ARIZONA

BUSINESS BY MICHELLE LAUER

They are innovators, trailblazers, leaders of men. Counted among them is the first woman to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court and another woman who’s retail empire began by selling brownies at street fairs and farmers’ markets. They are among those honored as the 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business. To select 50 of the best and brightest women to recognize, the editor and publisher of Az Business magazine compiled a list of more than 500 women from every facet of Arizona’s business landscape — banking, law, healthcare, bioscience, real estate, technology, manufacturing, retail, tourism, energy, accounting, and nonprofits. Once that list was compiled, we submitted the list to 20 of their peers — female leaders from a variety or industries — and asked them to vote. If they wanted to vote for someone whose name was not on the list of those submitted for consideration, voters were invited to write in the names of women who they thought deserved to be members of this exclusive club. After the voting, the final list featured women who 36 AB | July-August 2012

hail from all walks of life and conduct business in a variety of industries. While their resumes and career paths differ, the 50 women share distinguished commonalities: they all procured influence in their fields through hard-earned histories of profitability, business ethics, and leadership. Az Business magazine congratulates the 50 women who earned the right to call themselves one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business. They are changing the face of Arizona business. HIGHEST-PAID WOMEN Here are the five highest-paid women who work for public companies in Arizona. The ranking is based on 2011 compensation, which includes salary, stock options that were exercised, and stock vesting. 1. Kathleen Quirk, executive vice president and CFO, Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., $6,788,485 2. Kimberly McWaters, CEO, Universal Technical Institute, $4,095,442 3. Glynis Bryan, CFO, Insight Enterprises Inc., $2,232,092 4. Ellen Ingersoll, CFO, Viad Corp., $946,701 5. Mary Beth Gustafsson, executive vice president and general counsel, First Solar Inc., $943,702

Rhonda Anderson

Maria Baier

The distinguished healthcare executive is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Baier manages millions of acres of Arizona land. Baier formerly served as Phoenix City Councilwoman and was President and CEO of Valley Partnership.

Cardon Children’s Medical Center Chief Executive Officer

Her hope for her professional legacy: “The contributions I am making to shaping the healthcare system of the future.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I want to be remembered by the contributions our children make to society.”

State Public Lands Arizona land commissioner

Her hope for her professional legacy: “Simply that I worked hard and valued and respected the people I worked with.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I tried hard to help people live the lives they wished for, and most especially those I loved.”

Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett

Thunderbird School of Global Management Interim President Barrett is also CEO of Triple Creek Ranch, a Montana ranch resort, and former U.S. Ambassador to Finland. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Working with high-performance people to build high-performance enterprises.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Teaming with diverse leaders to improve the human condition through education and cultural understanding.”

Deborah Bateman

National Bank of Arizona Executive vice president and director of wealth strategies

A second-generation Arizonan, community advocate, change agent, and mentor, Bateman has participated in the evolution of her industry since 1971. Her hope for her professional legacy: “My philanthropy, community outreach, mentoring, and belief in others.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “My positive attitude, enthusiasm, spirit, heart, family, friendships, and love of life.”

Betsey Bayless

Maricopa Integrated Health System President and CEO Bayless’ distinguished career in public service includes service as Arizona’s 17th Secretary of State, chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and state agency director. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Creating the first Academic Medical Center for advanced training, research and patient care by affiliating our safety net health system with our state medical school.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “My love of Arizona! Educated and employed here exclusively, I have held public offices, lead public non-profit companies and served on over 50 community boards.” AB | July-August 2012 37

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 Terri Bishop

Apollo Group, Inc. Executive vice president, academic strategy and senior advisor to the CEO

Bishop has held many senior roles with Apollo since 1982, including founding director of the University of Phoenix online campus. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Facilitating educational innovations which increased access and opportunity to higher education for adult students.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I want to be remembered personally for having a spirit of kindness, honesty and joy.”

Lorraine Bergman Caliente Construction, Inc. President and CEO

Bergman is a native Phoenician and recipient of many awards for her leadership roles in the construction industry and community organizations. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Hands-on leader of a commercial general contracting company that has increased revenues even in the down economy.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Proud mother of 2, grandmother of 5, managing a balanced life between work and fun!”

Rebecca Lynne Burnham Greenberg Traurig Shareholder

Burnham represents real estate development interests, including legislative and public policy matters, and pursues betterment of community through board service and volunteer activity. Her hope for her professional legacy: “For being smart, tough, principled and devoted to my clients’ affairs.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “For being smart, tough, principled and a devoted mother, friend and community volunteer.”

Kathy Bollinger

Arizona West Region for Banner Health Co-president Bollinger is a frequent speaker on leadership, change, and healthcare. She’s a certified Hudson Coach and plays an integral role in Banner’s talent management. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Developing the next generation of highly effective leaders for healthcare.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Loving my family and supporting my daughter’s dreams. Also being a trusted person that encouraged others to see what might be possible.”

Pamela Conboy Wells Fargo Arizona Regional president

Conboy started her career at Wells Fargo when she was 19, and worked her way up the business ladder from teller to regional president.

38 AB | July-August 2012

Her hope for her professional legacy: “Helping Wells Fargo Arizona customers succeed financially and helping our communities grow and prosper.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Making a difference in lives of our youth and next generation through mentoring and advocacy!”

Celebr ating 50

Women

Who are Tr ansforming Our Community

AB | July-August 2012 39

12-0517

Your leadership and influence tremendously impacts our daily lives. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is proud to recognize the 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona, including our own Sue Navran. Your commitment, passion, and determination inspire us all.

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 Carla Consoli

Lewis and Roca LLP Partner and practice group leader

Consoli’s practice includes real estate, due diligence, acquisition and development for projects involving power plants, mines and master-planned communities. Her hope for her professional legacy: “A trusted counselor, who cared deeply about helping others meet their challenges.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “A true person for others in the Jesuit tradition.”

Lisa L. Daniels Sandra Day O’Connor

Former Supreme Court justice

O’Connor served two terms in the Arizona state senate and as senate majority leader before her unanimous Senate approval to become the first female justice on the United States Supreme Court. Her hope for her professional legacy: “As the first woman to serve as a justice of the United States Supreme Court.”

KPMG LLP Managing partner

Daniels has more than 20 years of professional experience assisting global organizations identify and manage risks inherent in business processes and systems. Her hope for her professional legacy: “A leader, who consistently acted with integrity and inspired others to achieve their highest potential.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “A loving wife, mother, and friend, who was always there to support you.”

Her hope for her personal legacy: “As someone who cared about state and local government along with an abiding interest in our nation’s governance.”

Julia Dollarhide

The Biltmore Bank of Arizona Chief operations officer, senior vice president Dollarhide is an alumni of Pacific Coast Banking School with 25 years’ experience in IT and financial business. Her hope for her professional legacy: “My career is a reﬂection of my integrity, professionalism, reliability, analytical skills, resourcefulness and confidentiality.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I am a woman of faith and principle; devoted wife, mother and friend.”

Shelly Esque Intel Vice president

Esque is a vice president at Intel Corporation, global director of the company’s Corporate Affairs Group, and president of the Intel Foundation. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Made a difference in people’s lives, harnessed the resources of Intel to do good for the world with integrity and compassion.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Made a difference in people’s lives, awesome mother, wife and friend.”

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Today, success was saying “Yes” to her client’s $17 Million loan. Sherri’s client might have obtained

the loan from several large national banks, but he chose to work with Sherri and Alliance Bank. He knew he could trust her to structure the best loan to fit his situation and to act quickly to take advantage of a time-critical opportunity. If you haven’t met our seasoned team of local lenders, we welcome the opportunity to become part of your business team.

Sherri Slayton Senior Vice President Manager, Northern Arizona Region B.A., Finance, Northern Arizona University Chartered Financial Analyst Member, National Advisory Board W.A. Franke College of Business, NAU Member, Board of Trustees, St. Luke’s Health Initiative

Phoenix 602.386.5500 Northern Arizona 928.214.3400 Tucson 520.784.6000

A division of Western Alliance Bank. Member FDIC.

06/12

alliancebankofarizona.com

Building Alliances ABfor Growth. | July-August 2012 41

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 Pam Gaber

Gabriel’s Angels Founder and CEO

Rhonda Forsyth

John C. Lincoln Health Network President and CEO With two decades of experience in healthcare, Forsyth leads the John C. Lincoln Health Network’s two hospitals, physician practices and community services programs. Her hope for her professional legacy: “A leader who guided our Network to thrive in a new era of healthcare.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “As someone with a full and wonderful life, a great family and meaningful work.”

Stephanie Gorman

Cigna Medical Group President and general manager Gorman oversees sales, business development, and product/service innovation throughout Arizona, and works to enhance healthcare quality, access, and affordability. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Passionate about people as a coach, boss, team player, and student of my customers.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Outgoing and trusted friend with a love for the network of great people in my life.”

Sharon Harper

Plaza Companies Co-founder, president and CEO

Harper is a Trustee of the Piper Charitable Trust, Arizona Community Foundation, GPEC and GPL. Her hope for her professional legacy: “The one who the community, business associates and employees can always count on.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “To be a hero in the eyes of my children.”

Sherry Henry

Arizona Office of Tourism Director Henry oversees marketing efforts promoting Arizona as a premier destination to global visitors, increasing travel and tourism’s statewide economic benefits.

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Her hope for her professional legacy: “For inspiring others to dream big, set goals and exceed expectations.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “For being optimistic, passionate, honest, determined, and always willing to help a friend.”

Gaber founded Gabriel’s Angels, a nonprofit organization, in 2000. The child welfare organization provides pet therapy to abused and at-risk children. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Gabriel’s Angels was run like a great business while meeting our mission.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I genuinely cared about the abused, neglected and at-risk children in my community.”

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 Candace Hunter Wiest

West Valley National Bank President and CEO

Wiest is the founding CEO of WVNB, and was the first female community banker elected as a a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Founding a local bank that consistently provided capital for Arizona businesses despite the worst recession in U.S. history. When other banks left the market, we expanded.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I was the single mom, Cinderella CEO who beat the odds by getting up every day and doing the best I could for all of the people I cared about.”

Linda Hunt

Debbie Johnson

Prior to becoming CEO of Dignity Health Arizona, Hunt was president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.

Johnson works to advocate and unify Arizona’s tourism industry and serves as the voice for almost 200,000 statewide tourism employees.

Dignity Health Arizona CEO

Her hope for her professional legacy: “I’d like to be remembered for improving the healthcare in Arizona for all.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I would like to be remembered for being a good friend to many.”

Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association President and CEO

Her hope for her professional legacy: “Serving our organization as an impassioned leader who believed in and furthered Arizona’s Tourism Industry.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “My love and appreciation for my family, friends, industry, state and country.”

Lisa K. Johnson

Corporate Interior Systems President and CEO In 1985, Johnson founded CIS, a major provider of commercial office furniture and services throughout Arizona. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Ethics, honesty, working hard and giving more than anyone ever expected.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Ethics, honesty, a make-it-happen attitude, living and loving family and life out loud!”

Judy Jolley Mohraz, Ph.D. Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust President and CEO and Trustee

Mohraz joined the Trust as its first president and CEO in September 2000. Former positions include president of Goucher College in Baltimore and associate provost of Southern Methodist University. Her hope for her professional legacy: “I helped my community become more humane, vibrant and strong.” Her hope for her professional legacy: “I lived my life with an open heart and an open mind.” 44 AB | July-August 2012

Inspire extraordinary services

............................................................................. for a living.

Tammy

Senior Vice President and General Manager

Congratulations Tammy. From her very first job as a Customer Care Professional, Tammy Weinbaum has always upheld the highest standards of customer service. Named as one of the “50 Influential Women in Arizona Business”, she is a true role model to her family and colleagues. She embodies the very values on which our company was built – trust, security, quality, good citizenship, respect, integrity and commitment to our customers. That’s why American Express would like to congratulate her – and all of her fellow honorees – for their outstanding contributions to our community. We are proud to call Tammy a member of the American Express team.

let’s connect

To meet more people like Tammy, visit www.americanexpress.com/foraliving We are an equal opportunity employer.

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 Michelle King Robson EmpowHER.com Founder, chairman and CEO

As founder and chairperson of EmpowHER, Robson leads one of the fastestgrowing social health companies online, focused on improving women’s health. Her hope for her professional legacy: “As someone who pioneered a women’s social health company out of pure passion and purpose.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “For teaching women how to advocate for themselves around health and wellness issues.”

Margaret Bushman LaBianca Polsinelli Shughart PC Shareholder

LaBianca, a mother of three, advises clients on environmental and natural resources issues. She is the Chair of State Bar environmental law section. Her hope for her professional legacy: “As a trustworthy problem solver who makes clients’ and colleagues’ lives easier.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “As a loving, thoughtful mother, wife and daughter, and a friend in need.”

Kimber Lanning

Local First Arizona Founder and executive director

Lanning is an entrepreneur and nonprofit founder who works to cultivate vibrant, sustainable communities and inspire a higher quality of life throughout Arizona. Her hope for her professional legacy: “I helped make Arizona a better place to call home.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I always take time to show up to support what is right in all aspects of life.”

Barbara Lockwood Arizona Public Service

Director of Energy Innovation, chair-elect of Valley Forward Association, registered professional engineer Lockwood is the Director of Energy Innovation for APS, where she orchestrates smart grid, renewable energy and, technology innovation efforts. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Helping to bring clean energy to Arizona.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “As a wife, mother and daughter.”

Christine Mackay

City of Chandler Economic development director Mackay oversees recruitment, retention and expansion, Chandler Municipal Airport, Innovations Technology Incubator, Downtown Chandler, university partnerships and tourism. Her hope for her professional legacy: “For bringing some of the highest quality companies on the globe to Chandler!” Her hope for her personal legacy: “That I’m a trustworthy partner who works hard to ensure that everyone at the table wins.”

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Congratulations, Terri Bishop, for being recognized as one of the 50 most influential women in Arizona business. The Apollo Group is also proud to be recognized as one of the top 10 Arizona-based public companies with the most female directors.

AB | July-August 2012 47

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 Christy McClendon Educare Arizona President

McClendon advances nonprofit organizations yielding striking outcomes. Gifted with building innovative collaborations, she creates successful programs and community impact. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Having created a positive impact on communities where all have opportunity to succeed.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Reﬂecting joy for life and inspiring care among others.”

Mary Martuscelli

JPMorgan Chase in Arizona President Martuscelli is president of JPMorgan Chase in Arizona and managing director for JPMorgan’s Private Wealth Management business for Arizona, Nevada and Utah. That means she oversees staffers who handle accounts for customers with assets of about $5 million and more. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Supporting clients and colleagues with their financial and career goals, while representing one of Arizona’s great institutions.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Devotion to my family and being a true friend, and as an energetic, enthusiastic advocate for others.”

Kimberly J. McWaters

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. CEO Kim McWaters has developed UTI’s successful growth strategy by focusing on the technical training needs of the transportation industry. Her hope for her professional legacy: “For creating and sustaining a purpose-driven company whose business is to change peoples’ lives.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “For being a kind, generous and loving person.”

Sue Navran

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Executive vice president Navran has been with BCBSAZ for more than 15 years. An attorney in the Valley for more than 30 years, she also lends her time to a number of community causes. Her hope for her professional legacy: “I’d like to be remembered professionally for being an honest, reliable and a usually happy colleague.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Raising two strong, independent, kind and hardworking young women, with the help of my wonderful husband.”

Darlene Newsom UMOM New Day Center CEO

Newsom has worked in the nonprofit sector in Arizona for more than 35 years. She has served as the CEO at UMOM New Day Centers since 2002.

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Her hope for her professional legacy: “I want to be remembered as an innovator in breaking the cycle of homelessness - as someone who broke down barriers to serve homeless families in new and better ways” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I want to be remembered as a caring, loving mother and friend and a member of the community who is dedicated to public service.”

Achieving great things for our community When someone comes along who has the courage and vision to turn dreams into reality, the future looks brighter for everyone. We are proud to recognize our very own, Pam Conboy as one of the most influential women in Arizona business.

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 Dr. Kathy Player

Kathleen Quirk

Player joined Grand Canyon University in 1998, and was appointed president of the university on August 1, 2008.

Worked in roles of increasing responsibility at Freeport-McMoRan since 1989 and was named CFO in 2003. Graduate of Louisiana State University.

Grand Canyon University President

Her hope for her professional legacy: “For being part of a team that impacted and transformed the educational landscape.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “My love for life, family, and friends ... along with my passion for the profession of nursing and the healthcare.”

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Executive vice president

Her hope for her professional legacy: “As a doer and a leader who motivates others to excel.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “For making a difference in the lives of others.”

Denise D. Resnik

DRA Strategic Communications Founder and president Community leader, national autism advocate; board memberships include SARRC, GPEC, ACF, Whispering Hope Ranch; cofounder of The Real AZ Coalition. Her hope for her professional legacy: “A passionate leader, dreamer and doer, who doesn’t hear ‘no’ when seeing the possibilities for ‘yes.’ ” Her hope for her personal legacy: “A loving mother, wife and family member, and trusted friend.”

Marcia Rowley

International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. Founder & chief marketing officer In 1996, Rowley and her husband developed a unique travel and leisure company to be known as International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. Her hope for her professional legacy: “For creating a successful business from the ground up through hard work, passion, and creativity and for giving others (inside and outside of our company) new opportunities for personal and professional growth.“ Her hope for her personal legacy: “For approaching everything I do (wife, mother, businesswoman, friend, mentor, philanthropist) with passion, compassion and a commitment to excellence.”

Rachel Sacco

Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO A part of Scottsdale CVB since 1986, Sacco has been honored with Scottsdale Leadership’s Drinkwater Leadership Award, and inducted into Arizona Governor’s Tourism Hall of Fame. Her hope for her professional legacy: “My passion for our community and ability to bring partners together for a common goal.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “My commitment to my husband, my three beautiful children and my community.”

50 AB | July-August 2012

Congratulations We proudly employ thousands of Arizona women including Mary Martuscelli, whose impact reaches far and wide. Being named one of Arizonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most influential women in business is wonderful. And no surprise to us.

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Recognized for Excellence Steptoe congratulates Nancy White, our Corporate Law partner, on again being selected as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona by Arizona Business Magazine.

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AZBusinessMag_Linda_Ad_Layout 1 6/19/12 4:07 PM Page 1

Dignity Health would like to congratulate Linda Hunt on being recognized as one of the

Linda Hunt, CEO Dignity Health Arizona

50 Most InďŹ&#x201A;uential Women in Arizona

DignityHealth.org (Formerly Catholic Healthcare West)

Congratulations Shelly Esque - A Top Business Woman You are a true inspiration to women. Your compassionate approach to leadership and mentorship has made a difference around the world. We salute you for all of your great accomplishments!

AZ-Top-50 Ad.indd 1

6/13/122012 2:48 PM AB | July-August 53

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 Ann Siner

Eco-Chic Consignments Founder and CEO

Siner started My Sister’s Closet in 1991, changing the Valley retail landscape. Her consignment empire generates more than $16 million annually and recently expanded to San Diego. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Two things. Creating a business that provides employment, growth and leadership opportunities for men and women. And, for changing the ‘face’ of retail, making fashion affordable for everyone.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Making a difference for homeless and abandoned animals. Making lives better for four-legged friends.”

Stella Shanovich

Eileen Joy Spitalny

Shanovich’s professional experience is in financial statement and compliance audits, strategic planning, transaction workﬂow analysis, internal control structure review and financial reporting.

Spitalny is the president of the Phoenix Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier and Advisory Board member at ASU Art Museum.

Grant Thornton LLP Partner, audit services

Her hope for her professional legacy: “Building talented, dynamic and integrated teams who are focused on our clients, communities and colleagues.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Living life passionately and making a difference in the lives of others.”

Fairytale Brownies, Inc. President and co-founder

Her hope for her professional legacy: “Eileen is inspiring, fair and open. Wants her team to excel and not stand in their way.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Eileen is always giving back however she can; as a friend or in the community.”

Debra Z. Sydenham, FAICP

Urban Land Institute, Arizona District Council Executive director

Sydenham is the face of ULI Arizona, providing leadership in responsible land use and in creating and sustaining thriving communities throughout Arizona. Her hope for her professional legacy: “My passion for helping shape the future of Arizona communities through an effective collaborative approach.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Maintaining eternal optimism, embracing all that I do full-tilt, and laughing a lot.”

Karrin Taylor

DMB Associates Executive vice president Taylor is responsible for ongoing land use entitlement matters and other value enhancing efforts for DMB communities and businesses. Her hope for her professional legacy: “That I did well by doing good and that I made our community a better place.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Having a happy home for my children and giving them appropriate guidance to be healthy and productive adults.”

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The employees of John C. Lincoln Health Network thank Rhonda Forsyth for her leadership and congratulate her on being named in the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business.

JCL.com

On behalf of Gabriel’s Angels Board of Directors

Congratulations, Pam! For changing the lives of at-risk children through innovative Pet Therapy, You are among the 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona. Pam Gaber, CEO & Founder

Please join us October 19, 2012 as

presents

Salud! 2012 Signature Wine Dinner

1550 E. Maryland Avenue, Suite 1 • Phoenix, Arizona 85014 602-266-0875 • GabrielsAngels.org

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please call 602-266-0875 or GabrielsAngels.org AB | July-August 2012 55

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 Tammy Weinbaum

American Express Senior vice president and general manager Weinbaum is responsible for the leadership and operations of three American Express service centers. Her hope for her professional legacy: “A leader who develops clear strategies, delivers exemplary results and focuses on developing people.”

Her hope for her personal legacy: “Having a passion for life, acting with integrity and making positive contributions to my community.”

Deb Weidenhamer

Auction Systems Auctioneers & Appraisers, Inc. CEO

Nancy L. White

Steptoe & Johnson LLP Partner, corporate, securities and finance

Weidenhamer is the founder and CEO of Auction Systems Auctioneers & Appraisers, Inc. a global auction and evaluation firm of business, personal and real assets.

White provides legal counsel in mergers and acquisitions, purchase/sales of assets and real property, project finance and other complex financing transactions, domestically and internationally.

Her hope for her professional legacy: “Fearless risk taker giving all to my associates, clients and the pursuit of my goals.”

Her hope for her professional legacy: “Professionalism and commitment to clients’ objectives with creativity and efficient practicality in achieving them; mentoring younger lawyers and staff... and community service.”

Her hope for her personal legacy: “As a rock of stability, comfort and love, who made everyone stretch to be their very best.”

Her hope for her personal legacy: “Kindness and compassion; ability to face adversity and challenging life circumstances; service to those in need; spirit of adventure and sense of humor.”

Kari Yatkowski

Corporate Citizen CEO

Yatkowski provides strategic planning for companies and nonprofits that create impactful and highly aligned collaborations between the private and public sectors. She is also founder of Haven Charitable Foundation. Her hope for her professional legacy: “That I innovated the field of corporate responsibility to activate giving that will address our community’s most pressing challenges.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “That I was able to balance my family, my work and my community involvement in a meaningful way.”

Diane Yazzie D evine

Native American Connections President and CEO Yazzie Devine has been the CEO of NAC for more than 30 years. She began working within Native American urban and tribal communities in 1972.

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Her hope for her professional legacy: “After working for Native American Connections for 33 years, I still have a passion for going to work every day with the hope of making a difference in someone’s life.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I found balance between my work and family, getting my MBA at ASU, being a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete, and finding time to volunteer in the community.”

mihs.org

Your Community Depends on Maricopa Integrated Health System A strong public hospital is as much a mark of a healthy community as good universities, modern transportation systems and thriving arts organizations.Yet the Maricopa Medical Center is just the most visible part of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, which includes the Arizona Burn Center, the Arizona Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center, two psychiatric hospitals, 11 neighborhood health clinics and the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only HIV/AIDS clinic. Our vital work in caring for patients, preventing disease and training the next generation of physicians reaches across generations and touches nearly every corner of Arizona.

The Arizona Lodging & Tourism Industry thanks Debbie Johnson for her dedicated and inspiring leadership. Congratulations to Debbie and to all of the professional women who are recognized among the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business.

Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association 1240 E. Missouri Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-604-0729 azlta.com AB | July-August 2012 57

O MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN 5 5 UNDER 35 Shayna Balch Fisher & Phillip LLP Associate

Balch, 27, handles matters across all facets of labor and employment law, representing employers before federal and state courts. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Providing invaluable service to employers as one of the top labor and employment attorneys in Arizona.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth throughout Arizona.”

Alison Bailin Batz HMA Public Relations Director of client services

Bailin Batz, 31, uses her position to tell stories that impact the public, benefit her business partners, and build meaningful relationships. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Being a firecracker – just like my mentors Scott Hanson and Abbie S. Fink, my colleagues.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Being a firecracker – just like my mentors Carol and Randy Bailin, my parents.”

Pearl Chang Esau Expect More Arizona President and CEO

Chang Esau, 30, is the president and CEO of Expect More Arizona, a high expectations movement dedicated to making Arizona education the best in the nation. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Advancing access and opportunity for children growing up in poverty and improving quality of life for everyone.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “Standing behind my family, friends and colleagues, and adding joy to their lives.“

Jamie Entzminger Fletcher Mach 1 Global Services, Inc. CEO

After graduating from ASU, 28-year-old Entzminger founded and became CEO at Mach 1, which provides high quality domestic and international expedited freight services. Her hope for her professional legacy: “Leading by example, integrity, consistency, humility, commitment and drive.” Her hope for her personal legacy: “I want people to smile and have a great story to tell when remembering me.”

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Ashley Sanders, MSA

Aviation West Charters dba Angel MedFlight Director of corporate finance and senior vice president

Her hope for her professional legacy: “Intelligent, strong work ethic, Resourceful problem solver, Committed to excellence, Honest and straight-forward professional”

Sanders, 30, holds a Masters of Science in Accountancy and has served as a director at Angel MedFlight since 2009.

Her hope for her personal legacy: “Devoted wife and mother, thoughtful daughter and friend, adventurous spirit and outdoor enthusiast.”

IMUS IN THE MORNING 3-6am

THE LAURA INGRAHAM SHOW 6-9am

Master-Salt Cellar-AZBusMag-12.10:Layout 1

12/7/10

Fresh Seafood... Featuring the Valley’s largest selection of fresh fish and seafood • Live Maine lobster, Alaskan

THE NEAL BOORTZ SHOW 10am-12pm

THE MIKE HUCKABEE SHOW 1-3pm

King Crab and Yakimono Hawaiian Ahi are just some of the delicacies that make the Salt Cellar Restaurant so popular • Maryland crab cakes, shrimp San Remo on artichoke pasta as well as charcoal broiled fish and Cajun-style blackened seafood are additional menu items you’ll want to try • Quiet, cozy and intimate, the Salt Cellar is a favorite for those who appreciate fine seafood • Don’t miss our popular twin happy hours daily from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and again from 10:00pm to 1:00am.

THE MICHAEL SAVAGE SHOW 5-7pm

THE LARS LARSON SHOW 10pm-1am

To advertise, host a show, or for more information: Call (602)-277-1100 or goto the website: www.1100kfnx.com

550 N. Hayden Rd • Scottsdale, AZ (480) 947-1963 • www.saltcellarrestaruant.com Dinner served nightly

3:33 P

ERNST & YOUNG

ENTREPRENEUR

YEAR: OF THE

2012

WINNERS JEREMY WOAN

PRESIDENT & CEO CYRACOM INTERNATIONAL, INC. When asked to describe some attributes of a great entrepreneur, Woan of said, “Some of the smartest people have the ability to take something complicated and make it very simple.” Woan’s statement summarizes his career and what he has done to transform distressed companies like CyraCom — a Tucson-based language service provider — into profitable, established companies. Woan transformed CyraCom in just four years, amidst the recession. He accomplished the transformation by defining CyraCom’s services and then identifying and establishing core competencies to build a foundation

RUSSELL SIGLER

CEO SIGLER, INC. Sigler is the definition of hard work and dedication. At the age of 95, he is motivated to maintain the integrity of the company he founded more than 60 years ago, coming into work daily and leading by example. He prides himself on recruiting the right talent to lead the business towards success and maintaining relationships with his customers to build a foundation for future growth. After being inspired by Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich,” Sigler quit his engineering job to become a franchisee and, later, distributor for Carrier in

60 AB | July-August 2012

for improved efficiencies in costs and in the services provided. Today, CyraCom’s biggest challenge is being able to differentiate itself from other companies in the industry. Competitors of CyraCom typically send some of their translation services off-shore to other countries. CyraCom is currently the only language services company who is completely onshore with U.S. operations based primarily in Arizona and New Mexico.

Oklahoma, Northern Texas, Arizona and Las Vegas. As the company continues to grow, Sigler uses a laid-back management style that encourages all employees to participate in the company’s success. He implemented a profit-sharing program at each of his locations to encourage retention and involve his people in the profitability of the company.

The competitors were fearless. And because they triumphed, we all have reason to celebrate. Congratulations to the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The YearÂŽ 2012 Mountain Desert Region Award recipients and finalists! We were inspired by their stories. Honored their hard work. And celebrated. These Arizona entrepreneurs are part of the ranks of game-changing Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award recipients and finalists. Their vision, passion and solid execution stood out among a strong field of competitors. Regionally sponsored by

Jeremy Woan CyraCom International, Inc.

Lifetime Achievement

Services

Clate Mask Infusionsoft

Ernst & Young LLP refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm in the US.

Media & Communications industry finalist

Russell Sigler Russell Sigler, Inc.

Founded and produced by

Matthew Pittinsky Parchment Inc.

Technology Industry finalist

Nationally sponsored by

AB | July-August 2012 61

ERNST & YOUNG

ENTREPRENEUR

YEAR: OF THE

2012

WINNERS CLATE MASK

CEO INFUSIONSOFT Infusionsoft is a leading provider of integrated sales and marketing automation software for small businesses unlike any others. Stepping into Infusionsoft’s corporate office in Gilbert, you can instantly feel an atmosphere of enthusiasm, collaboration, motivation, and workplace enjoyment. Creating that dynamic atmosphere is Mask, a very energetic leader who possesses a true entrepreneurial spirit. He grew up dreaming of becoming a creator. Mask followed his dream and joined his co-founders in creating and building Infusionsoft, which combined powerful CRM, e-commerce, and digital

MATTHEW PITTINSKY

CEO PARCHMENT, INC. Pittinsky likes to say that in his life he’s had three “big ideas.” The first two were marrying his wife and — at age 24 — starting Blackboard, Inc., a provider of software and mobile applications, communications and commerce services for the education industry. Pittinsky’s third “big idea” involved personal and professional credentials, and a way to make it easy to “retrieve, share, analyze and promote” those credentials. That idea developed into Parchment, Inc., which now provides services to nearly 9,000 schools and universities, six state agencies, and thousands of individuals. On track to double users of their product for a third year in a row,

62 AB | July-August 2012

marketing tools into a single, online network, which works seamlessly and authentically promotes the growth of small businesses. While Infusionsoft was founded approximately 10 years ago, it wasn’t until 2005 that Infusionsoft’s vision to develop customer relationship management (CRM) software focused specifically for small businesses in order to help them achieve really took hold – not only internally, but it began to generate momentum in the marketplace.

Pittinsky is at the forefront of advancing the usage of credential data, an industry niche that many likely do not know even exist. In a field unknown to many, credential sharing, warehousing, and analysis is poised to be a vital part of education and business recruiting. While there are competitors that provide digital imaging and transfer of credentials, it is clear the vision of Parchment is far more reaching.

AB | July-August 2012 63

Sigler Wholesale Distributors

Proudly Recognizes Russell Sigler for over 60 years of entrepreneurial spirit Our 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year

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Arizona attorneys and employers see a spike in wage and hour cases.

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Bioscience Roadmap leads state to explosive growth.

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Businesses move from survival mode to planning mode with the help of higher-education.

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Everything you need to know about trends to map out a healthy financial future.

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A look at the staggering economic impact of conventions and business travel in Arizona.

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AzHHA 2012

HIGH-TECH HEALTHCARE hospitaLs are Using innovation and advances to improve patient care by rebecca Larsen

66 AB | July-August 2012

Even though financial struggles have increased for Arizona hospitals over the past few years, they continue to innovate and raise the level of care for local residents. Here are just a few highlights or ways hospitals are using innovation and technology to improve patient care: high-tech care for patients in their homes Flagstaff Medical Center is using smart phones and 3G technology to monitor congestive heart failure patients once they go home. The Care Beyond Walls and Wire initiative lets the center monitor weight and blood pressure daily for patients in the program. If nurses see a decline in a patient’s health, they can intervene immediately. The program will particularly help Native Americans and other patients in rural areas. Flagstaff Medical Center has recently been ranked among the nation’s Best Regional Hospitals, according to U.S. News and World Report. foLLoW-Up for seniors Carondelet Health Network in Tucson and the Pima Council on Aging are working to reduce unnecessary hospital re-admissions by ensuring that Medicare and other patients treated for heart failure, acute heart attack or pneumonia have regular visits from nurses or social workers after they leave the hospital. The program is funded by a federal grant. Similar programs to reduce re-admissions for Medicare patients have been set up at John C. Lincoln hospitals and other health-care organizations in the state.

scarLess sUrgery John C. Lincoln in Phoenix was the first to offer “invisible” gall bladder surgery in Arizona this year. Surgeons have been trained to use the da Vinci surgical robot to remove gall bladders through the belly button. Not only are aesthetics improved, there is less pain during recovery because there is one small incision instead of four. traUma training for soLdiers Scottsdale Healthcare continues to provide hands-on trauma care training for military medical personnel. More than 1,400 service members have trained at the facility since 2004. The military partnership training features the use of human patient simulators that can “bleed” from mock injuries and have heartbeats and abdominal sound. The military training takes place in a 7,500 square-foot state-ofthe-art facility with six simulation training rooms. Long-distance stroke care Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found that using two-way audio-video telemedicine to deliver stroke care is cost-effective for rural hospitals that don’t have 24/7 neurological specialists. Doing long-distance consultations with rural clinicians, the clinic and its partner hospitals are

increasing patient survival from stroke in small communities. a neW rehabiLitation hospitaL Construction is under way on a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital that will be operated through a joint venture between Scottsdale Healthcare and Global Rehab, a Texas inpatient rehab hospital company. The facility on Pima Center Parkway in North Scottsdale will open in the first quarter of 2013. The 54,500-square-foot hospital with all private rooms is expected to have 120 employees. more traUma care Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa has been authorized by the state to be a provisional level III trauma center for the next 16 months. The hospital can now provide patients with prompt assessment, resuscitation, emergency operations and stabilization and if necessary can arrange for transfer to a facility with a higher level of trauma care. At the end of 16 months, the state will return to reevaluate and accredit Mountain Vista as a level III trauma center. Mountain Vista, which opened in 2007, is one of the Valley’s newer hospitals. treating bUrn patients in faraWay pLaces The Arizona Burn Center at Maricopa Medical Center is using telemedicine to expand its services throughout the Southwest United States. With this technology, specialists can provide immediate consultations with patients at remote sites. This care makes it less necessary to make costly transports and also increases patient safety and survival. The burn center network was developed in response to 9/11 and is a critical component of the state’s bioterrorism response plan. AB | July-August 2012 67

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Choose Well

AB | July-August 2012 69

THE ‘HIDDEN TAX’ OF HEALTHCARE Underpayments by government programs drive Up the cost of insUrance premiUms for bUsinesses by rebecca Larsen

he cost of health insurance for Arizona businesses and their employees has been rising for years, but now the slumping economy has created new pressure on premiums to go up. As healthcare providers care for more and more patients who cannot pay for healthcare and are ineligible for the state’s Medicaid system, hospitals are looking for private insurance carriers to make up more of their losses. “Yes, we do try to make up some of the shortfall created by the AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) cuts by increasing rates charged to insurance contracts,” said David Lamparter, senior vice president and chief financial officer for the John C. Lincoln Health Network. “However, the payers (insurance companies) are facing similar cost issues, and raising their rates can’t solve the issue.” In addition, rates charged to insurance companies are kept at a very similar level. “We maintain rate parity,” Lamparter said, “so that if an employer changes from payer A to payer B, we are not impacted by a 70 AB | July-August 2012

change in rates. So trying to negotiate specific increases for the AHCCCS changes is very difficult.” “As the contracts come up for negotiation, we do try to pass on some of the costs to insured patients,” said Tim Barnett, president and CEO of the Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott. “It’s not a great situation, but it does allow us to serve as a safety net facility.” Barnett and others refer to the rate increases as a “hidden tax” on those who insured by commercial companies. “I feel very bad for the business community,” he said. In 2009, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce Foundation paid for a study on the effect of cost-shifting on insurance costs. At that time, it was estimated that underpayments by Medicare and AHCCCS — as well as the cost of providing uncompensated care for those who paid nothing at all — was increasing private health insurance premiums in Arizona by 8.8 percent or $361 for each privately insured person. “And the situation has only gotten much, much worse since then,” said Suzanne Kinney, senior vice president for public policy for the Arizona

Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The crisis has its roots in actions taken over the past 15 years as the state began covering more and more low-income residents through the AHCCCS program. As of last year, the number of people enrolled in this Arizona Medicaid system totaled 1.36 million, more than twice as many as the number who were enrolled in 2000. But toward the end of this process, the recession combined with a budget crisis and led state lawmakers to cut funding for the system. Freezes were put on new enrollment for childless adults and for children from lowincome families, for example. Few of these people or their families even try to buy their own health insurance because many don’t have jobs. In total, $1.2 billion of state and federal funding was cut from AHCCCS from 2008 to 2011. “Hospitals are being paid 67 cents for every dollar spent for these patients,” said Pete Wertheim, vice president for strategic communications with the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. A recent policy brief from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce cites a

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AB | July-August 2012 71

theme that most Americans are familiar with: “Rather than being treated by a primary care physician for a relatively minor ailment, the uninsured individual is more likely to wait until the condition worsens prior to seeking treatment. The result of the delay is often an expensive hospital emergency room visit that could have been avoided with early treatment.” “The majority of people obtain insurance through their employers, so when fewer people are employed, fewer people have insurance,” said Lamparter. “If you are uninsured, you are less likely to go to a physician for routine care and more likely to seek medical care only in emergency situations. We haven’t yet seen signs of this situation improving.” A 1986 federal law, of course, requires hospitals to treat anyone who requests help regardless of the person’s ability to pay. Another complication, said Michael Malasnik, a Phoenix insurance underwriter and owner of AZ Benefits Connection, is that Arizona is largely a small business state and most of these firms have from two to 50 employees. “If a business has only a small number of employees to enroll in an insurance plan, their health insurance costs can be much more volatile,” Malasnik said. Premiums can shoot up dramatically for a small group if one member of the group has become extremely ill and requires major surgery. “Generally, these big increases are not the result of cost-shifting,” Malasnik said. “Cost-shifting due to Medicaid cutbacks probably amounts to only one or two percent of the increase. But it’s getting worse and it will continue in future.” Continuing complications could lie ahead as well because of the Affordable Care Act, which mandates that even greater numbers of low-income patients be covered by the healthcare system in the next few years. 72 AB | July-August 2012

BENDING THE COST CURVE hospitaLs take measUres to LoWer costs for patients by rebecca Larsen

hat measures are healthcare providers taking to compensate for their budget shortfalls due to Medicaid cutbacks? For the most part, there seems to have been few major layoffs in hospitals, though several hospitals indicated that they are not filling job openings as quickly as they used to do. There are some hiring freezes, according to Pete Wertheim, vice president for communications with the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. Some are cutting back on supplies and renegotiating contracts for supplies. Others are deferring capital spending and changing benefit and pay practices to decrease expenses. “We look diligently to trim costs where we can and make changes thoughtfully,” said David Lamparter, senior vice president and CFO for the John C. Lincoln Health Network. But in February 2011, the Lincoln Health Network in Phoenix did close

its North Mountain Hospital birth center due to cuts in the state Medicaid program, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). At the time, two-thirds of North Mountain’s obstetric patients were covered by AHCCCS. About 99 full- and parttime staff were affected, but some transferred to other departments. Late last year, the Carondelet Health Network of hospitals in Tucson also laid off 225 employees as part of a restructuring. There have also been efforts to help those Arizona residents with special medical problems find insurance temporarily or to qualify for what programs are still available to them. These include those who lose their jobs and can’t afford a COBRA plan or those who need to join high-risk insurance pools, according to Michael Malasnik, a Phoenix insurance underwriter. To help those people, Malasnik and other brokers have a new website, getcoveredaz.org.

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PREPARING FOR REFORM hospitaLs take steps to get ready for the possibiLity of the affordabLe care act by rebecca Larsen

lthough much remains to be decided about the Affordable Care Act, including a lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court, Arizona’s hospitals have been working toward the future as outlined by federal legislation. Hospitals and other healthcare organizations are setting up arrangements to comply with the terms of the act if healthcare reform moves ahead, according to Pete Wertheim, vice president of strategic communications for the Arizona Hospitals and Healthcare Association. A key date is 2014, when all U.S. citizens are required to purchase health insurance. By then, states are supposed to set up insurance exchanges where residents can find coverage. 74 AB | July-August 2012

Many reforms now being made at hospitals are aimed at improving the performance of healthcare organizations in caring for patients over the long term to ensure good results. Part of the purpose of the act is to institute outcome-based reimbursement, replacing volumebased payment systems for programs like Medicare and Medicaid. “In the past, a stent might be installed in a patient and then the patient was told to see XYZ doctor in the future, and it was left up to the patient who might or might not do so,” Wertheim said. “Now, the appointment is made for the patient before the person leaves the facility, and someone else makes sure that a prescription was filled for the patient.”

It is part of a process designed to ensure that people do more than simply go to the emergency room whenever they need care. “Hospitals want to keep their beds for true emergencies,” Wertheim said. Another aspect of healthcare reform, already under way at local hospitals, is conversion to completely electronic health records. That way, every time a patient sees a doctor, the doctor will know what the patient’s history is and what treatments he or she has had. Ideally, this means that there will be no duplication of testing or prescribing of drugs that did not work in the past. Although the state of Arizona has been part of lawsuits challenging the Affordable Care Act, state officials have put out a request for a proposal to create a statewide health insurance exchange and have provided funding for a software vendor to develop a Web portal regarding insurance.

AB | July-August 2012 75

Cirque du Soleil

gLendaLe convention & visitors bUreaU connects West vaLLey bUsinesses With visiting consUmers

ities like Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear, Surprise, and the other 14 cities that make up the West Valley are capitalizing on the rapid expansion of tourism and hospitality amenities — particularly spring training baseball facilities and other sports-related events — to grab a bigger share of the $18 billion that Arizona’s 37 million annual visitors spend. As tourism in the West Valley continues to grow, the Glendale Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) is playing a bigger and more vital role 76 AB | July-August 2012

by JoeL miLLer to help drive visitors to West Valley hospitality businesses. “The region provides the local and out-of-state traveler with an experience like no other,” says Lorraine Pino, Glendale CVB manager. “We are home to nine Cactus League spring training teams, the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Coyotes, Phoenix International Raceway, Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium, great outdoor festivals, historic districts in each of our cities, performing arts centers and unique shopping venues. And, of course, you can be an astronaut for the day at our

Challenger Space Center.” Despite this diverse range of attractions, tourism is a relatively new industry in the West Valley. As a result, not every community in the area is equipped to implement independent marketing and promotion initiatives. Glendale CVB organizes and facilitates these initiatives, partnering with more than 100 restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities, resorts and hotels, and service organizations. “We work closely with our hotels — such as the Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa, Wigwam Resort, Hilton

(Clockwise from the upper left)

Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals; giraffe feeding at Wildlife World Zoo; and the Challenger Space Center

“The region provides the local and out-of-state traveler with an experience like no other,” Lorraine Pino, Glendale CVB manager

Garden Inn Avondale and many more — to provide lead generation and conference assistance,” Pino says. Glendale CVB also serves as a liaison to large-scale entertainment such as Cirque du Soleil, which was held at University of Phoenix Stadium this summer, and mammoth events such as the Super Bowl, which will return to Glendale in 2015. “When the Super Bowl was last held in Glendale in 2008, the Glendale CVB was not yet in existence,” Pino says. “But now that our bureau is in place for the 2015 game, the region will be in a better position to capture a greater share of visitor spending.” Economists estimate that hosting a

Super Bowl has an economic impact of $300 million-$500 million on the region. “In addition, realizing that this mega event impacts the entire metro area and several destinations statewide, the Glendale CVB will be working with other tourism and hospitality organizations throughout the Valley to ensure that we provide the greatest fan experience possible, and to host the best Super Bowl possible,” Pino says. By the end of 2012, Glendale will welcome yet another visitor destination when the Tanger Outlets Westgate is completed. The 328,000-square-foot retail development will feature 85 brand-name outlet stores and is expected to bring an additional 5 million-6

million annual visitors to the area. With economic growth in the West Valley expected to continue its upward trend for years to come, Pino insists that communities must work together to realize the greatest benefit from an increasing number of visitors. “It’s important that we all work together and pool our resources to achieve economies of scale,” Pino says. “This is the very reason the Glendale CVB came into existence: to serve as a regional organization to promote and showcase the 14 West Valley cities and to bring tourism business to the area. This regional approach is what will be needed for our hospitality businesses to continue to grow.” AB | July-August 2012 77

PROMOTIONAL PROWESS gLendaLe cvb captUres visitor attention With targeted marketing campaigns by JoeL miLLer

ith more than 100 members and counting, the Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) employs many unique marketing and crosspromotional strategies with its partners in order to increase awareness of the many visitor-focused businesses in the West Valley. “[We have] marketing partnerships in place with our West Valley attractions,” says Lorraine Pino, Glendale CVB manager. “A perfect example is a recent Facebook contest that we partnered with Wet ‘n’ Wild on. This promotion made a significant impact, resulting in more than 900 visitor touch points in only two days.” Through its partnership with Cirque du Soleil, Glendale CVB was able to engage other members in a “text-towin” promotional contest. “These partnerships, developed through our Glendale CVB memberships, oftentimes enable us to activate the resources of other members,” Pino says. “This synergy creates opportunities for the Bureau to enhance the visibility of our hospitality related businesses.” According to Pino, Glendale CVB’s website, VisitGlendale.com, provides excellent exposure for its members. The site receives significant traffic from visitors planning their trips to the Phoenix area. With the launch of a new mobile website and interactive 78 AB | July-August 2012

map, the Bureau’s electronic presence continues to grow. “Research shows that travelers are getting their information online, and through our enhanced digital products, this is just one way in which we provide our members greater exposure that they may not be able to achieve on their own,” Pino says. Print campaigns in Chicago, Los Angeles and Canada are seeing great return on investment, Pino adds, and the Bureau continues to seek new promotional opportunities. “This past year, we printed 50,000 coffee sleeves that were used in independent coffee shops throughout Chicago during the month of December,” Pino says. “It was a great time of year to be touting our region’s

warm weather at a time when Chicago residents are shoveling snow off their driveways.” With so much to offer in the West Valley, Pino says the Glendale CVB is intent on helping businesses continue to capture a greater share of visitor dollars being spent in Arizona. “We are doing this by building a strong regional convention and visitor’s bureau and by offering a multitude of programs and services to our members,” Pino says. “We encourage businesses in the hospitality industry, and those businesses wanting to capture the growing visitor market, to join today.”

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The Glendale CVB is open for business and we’re ready to showcase the West Valley. We can help our members grow, promote and develop their businesses. Being a member really does have its benefits. VisitGlendale.com 5800 W. Glenn Dr., Suite 140 Glendale AZ 85301 80 AB | July-August 2012

Call 623-930-4500 to find out everything the Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau can do for you. Join today!

2012

WESTERN MARICOPA COALITION

WESTMARC – the Western Maricopa Coalition – is a public-private partnership of the 15 communities, business community and educational sector west of Interstate 17. The coalition’s mission is to enhance economic development and promote quality of life in the West Valley. WESTMARC is dedicated to the principle that we accomplish more by working together.

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Westmarc’s pUsh for economic deveLopment in the West vaLLey has created sUccess stories in aerospace, reneWabLe energy and heaLthcare by michaeL gossie

he West Valley has gone global. And it accomplished that by presenting a united front. “Working with the economic development departments of the West Valley municipalities, we have created a brochure and a map highlighting the locations of firms in priority industries such as renewable energy and clean technologies, healthcare and life sciences and aerospace and defense,” said Michelle Rider, CEO of WESTMARC, a broad-based coalition of the 15 communities in western Maricopa County. “Promoting those assets and building upon them is the start of creating a new narrative for the West Valley.” One example of the collaboration between most the West Valley cities is the creation of the Greater Maricopa Foreign Trade Zone, (GMFTZ) No. 277, said Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord. “The FTZ provides qualified business with significant reductions in import fees and property taxes,” she said. “No. 277 has only been approved for just a year and a half and it is already becoming one of the fastest growing FTZ projects in the western (United States).” WESTMARC, an acronym for Western Maricopa Coalition, is helping brand the West Valley as an excellent location for manufacturers through its support of the GMFTZ. By the end of 84 AB | July-August 2012

Mayor Rogers Avondale Mayor

Georgia Lord Goodyear Mayor

Jackie Meck Buckeye Mayor

Sharon Wolcott Surprise Mayor

2012, it is estimated that FTZ No. 277 will contain more than 2.5 million square feet of activated Zone space, which will make it one of the Top 20 FTZs by activated space. “The (FTZ) discussions started nearly four years ago ... comprised of our West Valley communities who share that goal of attracting investment into the area,” Surprise Mayor Sharon Wolcott said. “We understand we all win when national site selectors consider the region as a whole. The GMFTZ puts Surprise and the West Valley on their short list.”

has built its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Goodyear.

foreign invasion Not only is the GMFTZ making the West Valley a global hub, the area has attracted a number of notable international employers. A few examples:

 Paris-based Saint Gobain has built its solar mirror manufacturing operation in Goodyear, adding to the West Valley’s exploding renewable energy industry.

 Suntech Power Holdings of China — one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturing companies —

“Thousands of jobs have already been created within Arizona’s bourgeoning solar industry,” said

 Goodyear is also home to Schoeller Arca Systems, a Netherlands-based company that is a global leader in manufacturing of reusable and foldable plastic containers; and luxury refrigerator manufacturer Sub-Zero, which will eventually employ more than 400 in the West Valley.  European companies RioGlass Solar and Gestamp Solar Steel have both based their U.S. operations in Surprise.

WEST John Lefebvre, president of Suntech America. “As solar becomes a market-driven industry, Arizona is poised to be a global solar industry hub, particularly with the continued development of large-scale solar projects ... With solar, the sky’s the limit.” Location, Location, Location One thing that definitely does not limit the West Valley is its location. Its road, rail and air transportation capabilities enable the West Valley to be uniquely positioned for economic development. The West Valley is located less than 360 miles from the largest U.S. ports of import (Los Angeles and Long Beach), making the region an excellent location for national and international activity. “We are truly a gateway community to and from Greater Phoenix,” said Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck. “Our excellent transportation infrastructure and connectivity to the 6th largest economy in the world (California), cannot be understated in importance. Besides I-10, we are connected to I-8 via SR 85 and hope to be in the middle of the future I-11 corridor; connecting Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.” Lord said West Valley cities are continuing to see interest from are firms who are looking to escape the regulatory and tax burdens of California. An example is Peoria,

which was able to attract Maxwell Technologies, a San Diego-based renewable technology company that will bring 150 research, development and manufacturing jobs to the Valley. “One of the things we tell investors is that Avondale — literally — is the

center of it all, and that ‘we’re just minutes away,’” said Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers. “Avondale’s convenient location at the intersection of I-10 and Loop 101 makes for easy access to the other parts of the metro area and markets in southern

10 LARGEST WEST VALLEY EMPLOYERS Banner Health

APS Palo Verde Nuclear Station

Luke Air Force Base

PetSmart

American Express

Abrazo Healthcare

Fry’s Food Stores

AAA Operations Center

Swift Transportation

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

What they do: Healthcare West Valley employees: 8,047 Website: bannerhealth.com What they do: Military training West Valley employees: 5,707 Website: luke.af.mil What they do: Financial services West Valley employees: 4,008 Website: americanexpress.com What they do: Retail groceries West Valley employees: 3,343 Website: frysfood.com What they do: Freight delivery West Valley employees: 2,700 Website: swifttrans.com

What they do: Energy production West Valley employees: 2,524 Website: aps.com

What they do: Retail pet supplies West Valley employees: 1,779 Website: petsmart.com What they do: Healthcare West Valley employees: 1,313 Website: abrazohealth.com What they do: Insurance and travel services West Valley employees: 1,050 Website: aaa.com What they do: Healthcare for military families West Valley employees: 935 Website: triwest.com AB | July-August 2012 85

ECONOMIC DRIVERS Here is a look at some of the economic catalysts for the West Valley:

ADVANCED BUSINESS SERVICES

Several of the West Valley’s largest employers — American Express, PetSmart, AAA Operations, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance — are part of this sector. New office developments — such as the Algodon Center — will increase opportunities for the West Valley to grow its business services sector.

California. Downtown Phoenix and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are within an easy 20-minute drive and the Los Angeles area can be reached in six hours.” In addition to easy access to Sky Harbor, West Valley communities draw on Phoenix-Goodyear Airport, the Buckeye Airport (equipped for private and corporate travelers), Union Pacific Railroad, and BNSF Railway Company as assets that allow the efficient flow of goods and services. And the West Valley is only strengthening its transportation infrastructure. “Next year, we will complete construction of the Loop 303 freeway through Surprise,” Wolcott said. “It’s a huge milestone in our history that will attract new people and millions (of dollars) in economic development.” bUiLt-in Workforce West Valley cities are also capitalizing on the affordable cost of living and an educated workforce when they try to attract new businesses. “Goodyear has access to a large, talented and expanding workforce,” Lord said. “Because of freeway accessibility, Goodyear is generally within a 60-minute commute of anywhere in the metroplex, allowing convenient access to more than three million workers.” 86 AB | July-August 2012

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE

Companies like Lockeed Martin and Honeywell have utilized available land and accessibility to air facilities and made the West Valley their home. Factor in Luke Air Force Base — which has an annual economic impact of $2.17 billion — and it shows that aerospace and defense is a vital cog to the West Valley’s economy.

WEST VALLEY COMMUNITIES Avondale avondale.org Buckeye buckeyeaz.gov El Mirage cityofelmirage.org Gila Bend gilabendaz.org Glendale glendaleaz.com Goodyear goodyearaz.gov Litchfield Park litchfield-park.org Peoria peoriaaz.gov Phoenix phoenix.gov Sun City suncityaz.org Sun City West suncitywest.org Tolleson tollesonaz.org Wickenburg ci.wickenburg.az.us Youngtown youngtownaz.org

Lord pointed out that Goodyear has also created tremendous community assets with communities such as Estrella, Palm Valley and Pebble Creek. “Often, key employees and executives of companies have high quality residential developments as a major consideration when they are considering the location for their company,” she said. Wolcott agrees. “To know is to love us,” she said. “We are bright, clean, new and a safe city of 117,000 friendly, outdoorsy people. In our last survey, more than 90 percent (of residents) said they would recommend Surprise as a place to live. The days of manufacturers having to locate in tired, run-down settings are over. Companies want to enjoy their corporate home and Surprise is a terrific family environment.” West Valley leaders are quick to point out that they know it takes more than a nice house and mountain views to become an economic juggernaut. “We do think long term in Surprise,” Wolcott said. “We know education is key to sustaining economic development. That’s why our Strategic Framework includes an initiative to attract a four-year university.” The university that Wolcott hopes to

Caring for the community in more ways than one. As nonprofit health care providers, the hospitals of Banner Health are committed to keeping the West Valley healthy not only by providing medical excellence, but also by reinvesting in the communities we serve—including the recently completed Banner Thunderbird expansion and a new patient tower at Banner Estrella. Plus, we’re opening community health centers in Verrado (Buckeye), Surprise and Goodyear to bring excellent health care even closer to home.

We’re proud to be a part of a vibrant and strong West Valley!

Connect with us:

12-0764 BTMC West Valley Providers.indd 1

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ECONOMIC DRIVERS HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

The region’s explosive growth — the average growth of a West Valley city between 2000 and 2010 was 171.43 percent — has increased the demand for services and enabled the West Valley to attract healthcare providers like Abrazo Healthcare and Cancer Treatment Centers of America. In addition, Banner’s Sun Health Research Institute is known globally for its groundbreaking research in agerelated diseases.

RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

The West Valley scored economic wins when it landed two major renewable energy companies — Rioglass of Spain and Suntech of China, the largest manufacturer of solar panels in the world. The West Valley also made significant advances in clean technology when it landed Maxwell Technologies, a leading advanced battery manufacturer.

attract would join a number of West Valley educational institutions that produce the workforce of the future:

system, West Valley cities are aiming at attracting industries that will lead them into Arizona’s second century.

 Thunderbird School of Global Management, the world’s top-ranked school of international business.

bUiLding the fUtUre “Our primary focus is on high-wage industries such as aerospace and aviation, renewable energy, healthcare, and high-tech manufacturing,” Lord said. “Today, Goodyear is fortunate to have employers in many of these industries. However, many more companies are needed to improve our economy. Goodyear — along with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority — will continue to build the case for California companies to expand and relocate to Goodyear.” Lord and other West Valley leaders agree that leveraging the resources of regional partners like GPEC and the ACA allows the West Valley to have a global reach. One example Lord cites is the collaboration of regional and state partners that solidified the support for renewable energy legislation that eventually led to several companies coming to the region and is helping Arizona become known as a leader in the solar industry. The West Valley is also creating its own centers of influence to help businesses grow.

 Arizona State University at the West Campus, which offers undergraduate and graduate-level courses leading to a wide range of degrees through the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, and W. P. Carey School of Business.  Ottawa University, a private not-forprofit institution, which serves traditional-age as well as adult learners.  Midwestern University, whose Glendale campus will be the home of Arizona’s founding College of Veterinary Medicine.  Grand Canyon University, which offers online and campus-based bachelor’s and master’s programs.  Estrella Mountain Community College and Glendale Community College, which have both built strong connections to West Valley businesses. With a focus on education and a constantly improving transportation 88 AB | July-August 2012

“Our Southwest Railplex is a 2-square-mile industrial park with BSNF Railway service, abundant power, expanded water and wastewater services, and the recently designated FTZ status,” Wolcott said. “It’s got everything. RioGlass Solar and Gestamp Solar Steel are both basing their U.S. operations from the Railplex. We recently attracted an aeronautical manufacturing firm and a company manufacturing medical packaging devices to the park. That’s hundreds of good jobs for our residents in sustainable, long-term industries.” Avondale — recognizing that small businesses form the backbone of local economies — partnered with Gangplank Collective to open Gangplank Avondale in March. “Gangplank Avondale is a collaborative workspace that is available to technology-focused small businesses and entrepreneurs, who come together in a supportive environment,” Avondale’s mayor said, stressing that Avondale’s strategic focus is on building these sectors: bioscience, healthcare, tourism, renewable energy, advanced business services and information technology, manufacturing and retail. West Valley leaders stress that they all believe that when a city accomplishes something, the winner

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GREATER MARICOPA FOREIGN TRADE ZONE The West Valley has the unique advantage of having its own foreign trade zone, the Greater Maricopa Foreign Trade Zone. The GMFTZ enables the West Valley to provide companies which have a qualifying level of foreign import-export activity with an expedited process to significantly reduce their operating costs.

is the region as a whole. “We strongly believe in regionalism and support WESTMARC and GPEC initiatives,” said Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett. “Our community depends on the success of surrounding communities and the workforce and attractions available in our trade area.” Meck says that regionalism plays a critical role in development, since the economy transcends boundaries. “Through our economic development partners such as WESTMARC, the ACA, GPEC and many others, we all help and depend on one another to better our region and we enthusiastically embrace regionalism,” she says. “From helping our regional employers such as the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Solar Facilities in Gila Bend, our unwavering support for Luke Air Force Base and West Valley infrastructure improvements, we champion the fact that economic development is truly a team effort, from the local, regional, and state perspective. After all, the rising tide of regionalism truly does raise all boats — in essence our communities.” chaLLenges ahead While the communities that make up the backbone of WESTMARC have 90 AB | July-August 2012

Already one of the most active new zones in the country, the GMFTZ has been instrumental in bringing manufacturers such as Schoeller Arca Systems, the world leader in plastics manufacturing, to the West Valley. For more information or a free cost-benefit analysis of the GMFTZ program, please visit gmftz.org.

Bob Barrett Peoria Mayor

a solid vision of the future, that vision is clouded with challenges. “One of the challenges to development is the lack of infrastructure,” Lord said. “Communities have a limited capacity to bond for improvements, especially given the impacts of the recession.” Barrett cites a financial issues as ostacles that need to be overcome. “Other challenges that we face relate to the availability of capital overall, the inverted values of many properties which lead to difficulty in finding ownership, and Arizona’s less competitive position nationally regarding incentivizing business attraction,” he said. Another challenge, Lord said, is the state’s inability to pass a comprehensive property tax incentive program. Rogers said that while the Legislature has been successful in

lowering the overall tax responsibility for businesses, “We need to go a step further by continuing to develop well rounded economic incentives and tools that promote growth and attract quality businesses to our state.” All is not bleak, however. Some challenges are being overcome, Wolcott said. “We are making big strides in our transportation challenges,” she pointed out. “Major improvements, including the reconstruction of Bell Road, the widening of Grand Avenue, and the current development of the 303 are very important. Next, we need to focus on expanding public transit in Surprise and establishing commuter rail along the Grand Avenue Corridor.” So while there are concerns and challenges, WESTMARC communities are optimistic about a future built on aerospace, bioscience, healthcare and renewable energy. “From a legislative standpoint, the economic renaissance of Arizona has begun,” Meck says, “but we need to push our competitiveness and provide the most business-friendly environment and relevant legislative priorities so that we can continue to grow and diversify our economy and health of our great state.”

WESTMARC appreciates the support of our members Chairman’s Circle

Arizona Cardinals • Cox Communications • SCF Arizona Platinum

Arizona Public Service • Banner Health Salt River Project • Sun Health Senior Living TriWest Healthcare Alliance • Wells Fargo Bank Arizona Gold Apollo Group, Inc. • Arrowhead and West Valley Hospitals Arizona State University • Blue Cross Blue Shield • CenturyLink • DMB Epcor Water • Fennemore Craig • Global Water • Hensley Jackson White • Republic Services • Snell & Wilmer • Sunbelt Holdings

14100 N 83rd Ave Suite 150 Peoria, AZ 85381 623-435-0431

Silver

Best West 20th Annual of the

The Arizona Republic • Cancer Treatment Centers of America Coe & Van Loo Consultants, Inc. • John F. Long Properties • Mortenson Construction Orcutt/Winslow Partnership • Phoenix International Raceway • Sanders & Parks, PC Southwest Ambulance • Southwest Gas • Sundt Construction • Swift Transportation US Airways • Walton Development & Management (USA), Inc. • Westcor West Valley Resort, An Enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation

Bronze Glendale Community College • Hunt & Caraway Architects • Littleton Elementary School District Nathan & Associates • Pulte Group • Wood Patel and Associates • West Valley National Bank

Save the Date November 1, 2012

Communities Maricopa County • Avondale • Buckeye • El Mirage • Gila Bend • Glendale Goodyear • Litchfield Park • Peoria • Phoenix • Sun City • Sun City West Surprise • Tolleson • Wickenburg • Youngtown

For more information please visit www.westmarc.org

Avondale

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WESTMARC CEO

Michelle Rider,

President and CEO WESTMARC

This month, Michelle Rider celebrates her first year as president and CEO of WESTMARC. She sat down with Az Business magazine to talk about the region’s successes over her first 12 months on the job. Q: What are you most proud of after year one at ceo of Westmarc? A: I was fortunate to come into the organization at a time when its leadership was ready for change. We changed WESTMARC’s membership structure and benefits to create more value and encourage more participation. We created the organization’s first strategic plan and we have doubled our revenues from last year. The year’s success was a result of a lot of hard work on the part of the leadership and staff ... as well as a lot of luck. We need to focus on keeping the momentum going. Q: Westmarc has made an effort to focus on economic development over the past year. how is the organization accomplishing this goal? A: The first step we had to take was to start an asset inventory for the West Valley. Working with the economic development departments of the West Valley municipalities, we have created a brochure and a map highlighting the locations of firms in priority industries such as renewable energy and clean technologies, health care and life sciences and aerospace and defense. Promoting those assets and building upon them is the start of creating a new narrative for the West Valley. In terms of policies to enhance economic development in the West Valley, we worked on a piece of legislation this session to address one of the biggest impediments to quality growth in the West Valley – the lack of infrastructure. That specific legislation was ultimately unsuccessful, but the issue is not going away and we will continue to pursue a solution. 92 AB | July-August 2012

Q: What are the economic advantages for business growth? A: The West Valley has an advantage in its availability of land, proximity to large feeder markets and the Greater Maricopa Foreign Trade Zone (GMFTZ). New economic development tools passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Brewer combined with those advantages make high-wage manufacturing a reachable goal for the West Valley. With the area’s projected population growth and increasing transportation access, higher education, healthcare and advanced business services also make sense as good economic opportunities. Q: you mention “creating a new narrative for the West valley.” What do you mean by that? A: There are pervasive misperceptions about the West Valley. For example, there is a perception that the West Valley is kind of an “old boys’ network” and behind the times. People may be surprised to know facts about the West Valley including that five of the 13 mayors in the West Valley are women. In addition, the West Valley is the only part of Greater Phoenix with Latino mayors. The West Valley is home to one of the top medical research centers in the country, the Banner Sun Health Research Institute. People would also likely be surprised that the West Valley has become an international hub of renewable energy product manufacturing with the operations of Suntech of China, Rioglass and Gestamp of Spain and Saint-Gobain of France. Q: regionalism is an increasingly common theme. how does regionalism work within Westmarc? A: Regionalism is essential within the West Valley and is at the heart of what makes WESTMARC work. Regionalism is also key throughout the Greater Phoenix region. We work to promote the West Valley because what you do in economic development is find where you have strengths and try to enhance them. But we never market ourselves to the disadvantage of the East Valley or any other part of Arizona. My job is to more closely connect us to other parts of the region, not insulate ourselves.

We are sons & brothers. We are life savers & students. We are a success.

GCC is a Maricopa Community College, EEO/AA institution, accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association • www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org • 312.263.0456

For ticket inFormation call 602.379.0102 or visit

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PROFILES WESTMARC MEMBERS

Sharon Harper,

President and CEO Plaza Companies

In 1982, Sharon Harper co-founded Plaza Companies, a privately held, full-service real estate company with a portfolio of more than 5 million square feet valued in excess of $1 billion. Harper is responsible for all day-to-day management and strategic decision making. Q: you are working on a new project in peoria called bioinspire. What is the purpose of the project and how will it work? A: BioInspire is a biotechnology incubator being built now on our Plaza Del Rio Campus. It’s a publicprivate partnership between BioAccel, Plaza Companies and the City of Peoria to create an ideal environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, specifically in the area of medical device development. Our company is providing the space on the Plaza Del Rio Campus for the facility, and BioAccel will work with companies in the incubator space to give them the resources they need for their products to take root in the marketplace. The City is providing strategic financial incentives to the selected companies. It will help position Peoria as a leader in the biotechnology industry and attract high-paying jobs to the region. Q: What is the one thing you think the West valley should be focusing on at this time? A: The West Valley should continue to position itself in a positive manner for economic development. As we emerge from the economic downturn, new opportunities will arise to attract businesses to the region that will truly be job creators and generators.

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Bill Sheldon,

General counsel SCF Arizona

Bill Sheldon, general counsel, corporate secretary and chief compliance ofﬁcer at SCF Arizona, is chair of WESTMARC. The Glendale resident is the co-author of the State Bar of Arizona’s Arizona Employment Law handbook and a frequent speaker on topics relating to workers’ compensation and employment law. Sheldon, who was hired by SCF in 1997 as a workers’ compensation litigator after nine years in private practice, is serving a one-year term as WESTMARC chair. His term started at the beginning of January 2012.

Ron Campbell,

Senior director of ticket sales Arizona Cardinals

Campbell is senior director of ticket sales for the Arizona Cardinals. A resident of Peoria, Campbell also worked for the Phoenix Coyotes. From his ofﬁce at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, he manages ticket sales for the team’s club seat and season ticket inventories.

Q: What do you see as Westmarc’s biggest accomplishment? A: We have been able to foster regionalism and get 15 different communities to work together to achieve one common goal. That is a remarkable accomplishment. It has resulted in greater inclusion and the leadership from all the cities should be applauded for making that happen.

Q: you have worked for two of the four major sports teams in the valley and both are in the West valley. What is their impact to that economy? A: The more bodies and eyeballs we get out to the West Valley the better. When I came here, it was more of a relationship purchase for sports fans. People tend to live in their 5-mile box. But we notice people don’t mind commuting here. It really doesn’t take that long to get here. During the Cardinals season, there is an aura surrounding tailgating before games. There is also entertainment in Westgate across the street.

Q: how does Westmarc’s promote the West valley? A: Besides being an advocate on policy issues affecting the region, WESTMARC holds events and asset tours throughout the West Valley to showcase what a perfect location the region is for businesses to establish themselves and grow.

Q: the super bowl returns to glendale in 2015. What’s the buzz? A: With our existing ticket holders, they are wondering how to get involved, so the interest is definitely there. It’s the same for new businesses. A lot are getting involved and hoping for the opportunity to get in the building.

Q: how has the perception of the West valley changed? A: People are starting to wake up and see that the growth is happening more quickly in the West Valley and there are more opportunities in the West Valley. This isn’t the Wild West anymore. This is a business-friendly, family-friendly environment. I love living in Glendale.

Q: you live and work in the West valley. do you take pride in that? A: Absolutely. When we moved here, we bought property in Ahwatukee and lived there briefly. It was 35 miles door to door. We chose a planned community at Vistancia. We chose the Peoria School District as we had two children in high school. It’s nice being close to work now.

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