AZBusiness March/April 2020

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MARCH // APRIL 2020

FINANCIAL SERVICES

16

DIVERSE BUSINESS LEADERS

24

TOP 100 LAWYERS

35

EAST VALLEY PARTNERSHIP

65

Front row: Jonathan Frutkin, Radix Law; Grant Woods, Gallagher & Kennedy; Brigitte Finley Green, Engelman Berger; Shawn Oller, Littler.

Back row: Julia S. Acken, Jennings Strouss; Benjamin Gottlieb, MacQueen & Gottlieb; Kami M. Hoskins, Gordon & Rees.

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Table of Contents 6

Trendsetters

12

Leadership Spotlight

14

Missing Piece

16

Financial Services

20

Healthcare

14

24 Diverse Business Leaders 30

Marketing

32

Dining

16

35 Top 100 Lawyers 56 Tourism 65 East Valley Partnership

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On the cover: Front row: Jonathan Frutkin, Radix Law; Grant Woods, Gallagher & Kennedy; Brigitte Finley Green, Engelman Berger; Shawn Oller, Littler. Back row: Julia S. Acken, Jennings Strouss; Benjamin Gottlieb, MacQueen & Gottlieb; Kami M. Hoskins, Gordon & Rees.

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Everything is rising in the east My life seems to have revolved around the east. I was born on the East Coast. I graduated from East High School. So it seemed fitting when we moved to Arizona just before the turn of the millennium that we bought a house in the East Valley — Red Mountain Ranch in East Mesa to be exact.

We loved the neighborhood. Quiet streets. Clean air. Tonto National Forest next to us. There was even a grocery store a couple miles away … but that was about it. No gyms. Scarce retail. No restaurants. And if we wanted to go out to eat, it wasn’t easy. This was pre-Loop 202. It was a major excursion to leave the ’hood. My, how times have changed.

That neighborhood is now filled with a plethora of dining options. Some of the most progressive and innovative healthcare facilities call the East Valley home. And if you want to go out in Scottsdale or Tempe or see a game in Downtown Phoenix, you just jump on the 202 and you’re there in minutes.

But best of all, if you’re looking for a job or career advancement, the East Valley is the place to be. The six cities and towns that make up the East Valley – Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek and Apache Junction – accounted for nearly half of the total job growth in all of Maricopa County in 2018, according to data from CBRE Research, Arizona Commerce Authority and Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

And for the second year in a row, WalletHub has named another East Valley city — Scottsdale — as the best place in America to find a job.

Want to know how the East Valley has become such a hotbed for jobs, growth and innovation? Read the East Valley Partnership supplement inside this issue of Az Business. Enjoy.

Michael Gossie Editor in chief michael.gossie@azbigmedia.com

ATION INNOV az business

awards / 2020

Unveiling and honoring

organizations and individuals stretching the limits of how business is done

MAY 6, 2020 The Clayton House // Scottsdale // 5:30-8:30 PM

For information on getting involved and corporate sponsorships, please contact AZ Big Media publisher, Josh Schimmels at josh.schimmels@azbigmedia.com

SHOUT-OUTS Kenneth Schutz, Karrin Taylor Robson are Man & Woman of the Year Valley Leadership will honor Kenneth J. Schutz and Karrin Taylor Robson as the organization’s Man & Woman of the Year.

The pair will be honored for their long-term contributions and commitment to the community at the Annual Man & Woman of the Year event April 2, 2020.

The 2020 event will also include the first-ever Person of The Decade award honoring the late Senator John Sidney McCain III for his impact on Arizona.

“Valley Leadership’s vision is for a broad spectrum of Arizonans to work together to impact the issues that matter most, setting the example for leadership,” says Valley Leadership President and CEO David Brown. “On behalf of Valley Leadership and its board of directors, we are truly honored to celebrate the impact these leaders have had on Arizona and the example wthey set on leadership both here in Arizona and around the globe.”

First Credit Union celebrates 90th anniversary First Credit Union (FCU) marked its 90th anniversary with a service campaign called #90DaysofGiving that gave back to the communities and members it serves. The credit union, and its 140 employees donated time and money in celebration of the credit union’s anniversary.

The credit union staff participated in more than 100 events, donating both time and donations. In all, staff volunteered more than 2,747 hours, raised or donated more than $29,000, collected 305 pounds of food and walked 102 miles to raise money for various charities.

APS commits to 45% renewables by 2030 Conservation and consumer groups welcomed Arizona Public Service’s announcement that will set the utility on a path toward 45 percent renewable energy by 2030 and 100 percent carbon-free electricity by midcentury. Currently, 13 percent of the utility’s electricity is generated from renewable sources.

Specifically, APS is committing to provide 65 percent carbonfree electricity generation by 2030, with 45 percent coming from renewable resources, and to achieve 100 percent carbonfree electricity generation by 2050.

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President and CEO: Michael Atkinson Publisher: Josh Schimmels Vice president of operations: Audrey Webb EDITORIAL Editor in chief: Michael Gossie Associate editors: Steve Burks | Alyssa Tufts Interns: Endia Fontanez and Mallory Schnell Contributing writers: Alison Bailin Batz | Graham Bosch Andy Christian | Jackie Hyun | Ben Norman | Erin Thorburn Steven G. Zylstra ART Design director: Bruce Andersen Art director: Mike Mertes MARKETING/EVENTS Digital strategy manager: Gloria Del Grosso Marketing designer: Michael Bodnar OFFICE Special projects manager: Sara Fregapane Executive assistant: Brianna Villa Database solutions manager: Amanda Bruno AZ BUSINESS MAGAZINE Senior account manager: David Harken Account managers: April Rice, Sharon Swanson AZ BUSINESS ANGELS AZ BUSINESS LEADERS Director of sales: Sheri Brown AZRE | ARIZONA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Director of sales: Ann McSherry Director of business development: Carol Shepard EXPERIENCE ARIZONA | PLAY BALL Director of sales: Jennifer Swanton RANKING ARIZONA Director of sales: Sheri King Az 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 2020 by AZ BIG Media. 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.

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TRENDSETTERS

Here’s how to grow your business with a podcast DLA Piper leads law

in social media The verdict is in: When it comes to social media, DLA Piper outclasses its competition.

Consultancy Good2bSocial’s annual report card, the Social Law Firm Index, measures law firms’ social media reach, engagement, and digital marketing performance on their own websites and on public social media platforms. The rankings placed DLA Piper at No. 1 overall. Ranked by their reach and engagement on individual platforms, Squire Patton Boggs was No. 1 for Twitter, Quarles & Brady for Facebook, and DLA Piper for Instagram.

Black Barrel Media, a local boutique podcast network and production company founded by brother and sister duo Chris and Mandi Wimmer, specializes in creating high-quality, storytelling podcasts that entertain and educate. Here are their tips to grow your business using a podcast: • Podcasts can have a large audience for advertising: Podcasts can be listened to worldwide within minutes of uploading and advertising on a podcast is a great way to potentially reach new audiences. You can get concrete numbers by podcasting and you know how many people are going to hear that ad.

• You can deliver the podcast directly to the audience: There’s podcasts for almost every type of industry and subject matter, so whether you’re creating a 15-minute or 45-minute podcast, it’s a great way to highlight your business because you can produce something really entertaining and impactful in a short amount of time and deliver it directly to the audience.

TOP 5 TRENDS IN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS With unemployment at record lows, HR professionals are looking to enhance benefits packages to attract and retain top talent in 2020. Here’s how Elise Thorpe, a principal with Lovitt & Touché, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company, says employers are accomplishing that in 2020:

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Financial Wellbeing Services. Employees are seeking a wide range of financial support services, such as student loan repayment and counseling benefits, budget management and retirement planning.

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Healthcare support concierge. To help employees navigate the complex healthcare system and cut costly and unnecessary procedures, many employers are investing in high-touch services, second-opinion services and medicaldecision support tools.

Emotional well-being resources. Because of rising instances of anxiety, stress, depression and other issues, more employers are implementing resources such as: • Standalone employee assistance programs • Behavioral counseling through virtual or telehealth services • Training on how to recognize emotional health concerns • Policy and cultural changes, including greater acceptance of “mental health” days off

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Family-friendly benefits. Increasingly popular benefits include paid paternity leave, fertility benefits such as egg harvesting and freezing and in vitro fertilization, and even emergency childcare.

5

Pet-friendly benefits.

Pet insurance has become more attractive in recent years, with about 15 percent of employers offering some form. In addition, many are offering “pawternity” leave — work flexibility or paid leave when adopting a pet.

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TRENDSETTERS SCOTTSDALE WOMAN OPENS DOORS FOR WOMEN IN WRESTLING Scottsdale resident Kelsey Campbell, an Olympic wrestler and two-time U.S. Olympic Trials champion (2012 and 2016), is breaking stereotypes of women in wrestling.

She began wrestling as a senior in high school on a dare and became the first woman to wrestle at Arizona State University in 2007. Since then, she has won two women’s collegiate wrestling national titles, placed fifth in the 2010 World Championships, became an Olympian in 2012, and is a three-time U.S. Open champion. Campbell hopes her experience can inspire the first Division I women’s wrestling team at ASU. “I think what I’ve done at ASU has opened up an opportunity for women in wrestling,” she says. “Before me, people didn’t see it as an option for women and now it is, and that’s exciting.”

BEST CITIES FOR WOMEN IN TECH

The employment of computer and information technology workers is projected to grow by 12 percent from 2018 to 2028, adding almost 550,000 new jobs, according to estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, employment opportunities and pay in tech jobs still tend to favor men. Women make up about 26 percent of the technology workforce nationally and, on average, are paid only 83 percent of what men are paid in the industry. Though disheartening at the national level, women have had great success breaking into the tech industry in some cities. Here are the Top 10 cities for women in tech, according to SmartAsset:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

| | | | | | | | | |

Baltimore, Md. Washington, D.C. Arlington, Va. Chesapeake, Va. Albuquerque, N.M. Houston, Texas.

Long Beach, Ca. Chandler, Az. Philadelphia, Pa. Durham, N.C.

28% of Arizona jobs vulnerable to automation A new study is shedding light on which careers and populations are most vulnerable to automation-induced job loss. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the University of Oxford’s study on “The Future of Employment,” Digital Third Coast identified the 170 most at-risk occupations based on their probability of being replaced by machines, robots, and automation.

Here are highlights of the findings: • 28 percent (41 million) of U.S. jobs are considered most at risk to automation.

• 28 percent of the jobs i n Arizona — a total of 782,150 jobs — are at risk to automation.

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• South Dakota, Nevada, and Florida are the states most vulnerable to job loss • Las Vegas, Orlando, and Miami are the metro areas most vulnerable to job loss • The jobs most susceptible to automation included telemarketer, title examiners, and sewer hands.

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TRENDSETTERS

of the best

1 | NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY

Designs and manufactures electric vehicles, vehicle components, energy storage systems, and electric vehicle drivetrains.

2 | QWICK

Connect food and beverage professionals who want on-demand work with businesses who need them.

3 | SMARTRENT

Bringing smart home automation to property managers and renters.

4 | INTEGRATE

Empowers marketers to unify their demand marketing channels into a single, powerful SaaS platform that helps them achieve quantifiable business outcomes.

5 | EVISIT

Telemedicine patient engagement software platform for small to medium sized healthcare provider practices.

6 | TRUSONA

Developed the world’s first and only insured digital identity authentication solution and are leading a movement where there are no passwords to be created, remembered, stolen or compromised.

7 | SOLERA HEALTH

Integrates highly fragmented programs and services into one high-access, lower cost network to prevent and manage chronic health conditions paid through medical claims.

8 | HOWND

Hownd revolutionizes how entertainment, health and beauty, food and beverage, and other local businesses generate more foot traffic.

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TECH STARTUPS in Metro Phoenix

As Phoenix evolves into a hotbed for technology, Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, says, “Now, it’s less about importing other states’ and other people’s technology and more about building our own.”

Lucky for the Valley’s economy, there are many innovative companies doing just that. Here are 20 of the best technology startups in Metro Phoenix for 2020:

13 | PICMONIC

Helps people create, share and explore highly effective audiovisual study cards, called Picmonics “pictorial mnemonics.”

14 | ALT THIRTY SIX

Builds beautifully designed, simple-touse payment technology for companies accepting digital currency.

15 | CLICKIPO

The world’s first industry utility for optimizing retail distribution of IPO and secondary offerings.

16 | AURAL ANALYTICS

Builds applications that use speech and fine motor to detect subtle changes in brain health.

17 | CHASSI

9 | FULLBAY

Customer Experience Engineering (CXE) company that enables software businesses to optimally deliver value to their customers.

10 | VIRTUOUS

Flagship product is Olivia, the AI recruiting assistant obsessed with improving and reinventing the candidate experience.

Cloud-based shop management software built specifically for heavy duty repair shops.

Software helps charities create personal connections with givers by truly understanding what makes each giver tick.

11 | EMERGE

Web-based truckload management system focused on connecting shippers and their partners when executing full truckload transactions.

12 | PRENDA

Ed Tech company with the vision of helping young people learn technology in fun, informal settings.

18 | PARADOX

19 | VCANDIDATES.COM

Offers a three-pronged solution that is a true subscription-based career ecosystem for serious candidates and active recruiting professionals.

20 | RADIUSAI

Technology features multi-camera tracking, real-time analytics, rapid, and cost effective, edge processing, and customized offers.

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R e pr e se n t i ng C r e di t or s Si nc e 1 9 7 7

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

FUELED FOR SUCCESS Julie Giese helps brings the Super Bowl of NASCAR to Phoenix Raceway

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

J

JULIE GIESE: “Having WiFi throughout the entire venue is one of the most important things that no one ever sees,” says the president of Phoenix Raceway, who was one of Az Business magazine’s Most Influential Women of 2019. “ It’s given fans a voice and it resonates so much when people hear about the amazing experience at Phoenix Raceway from other fans on social media. It creates that fear of missing out.” (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Raceway)

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ulie Giese has always been a fan of auto racing.

“I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, watching the Daytona 500 and NASCAR with my dad, who was a big Dale Earnhardt fan,” says the president of Phoenix Raceway. “Mid-way through college, I changed my major to marketing and that’s when I really started thinking about racing. It’s all about marketing. So why couldn’t I work in racing?”

When she graduated, she sent her resume out to all the racetracks and received “thanks, but no thanks” replies from every one.

“Sports, in general, is so much about who you know,” Giese says, “so I was bullish and continued to build a networking base.”

Giese’s connections eventually landed her a job at Watkins Glen International and the rest, as they say, is history … literally. Giese is currently the only female president of a NASCAR track and has ushered Phoenix Raceway through a $178 million renovation that has created the best fan experience in the sport. Next up is another piece of history: Phoenix Raceway will host its first NASCAR championship race in November.

Az Business got Giese to slow down enough to answer a few questions.

Az Business: How were you able to get NASCAR to move the championship race to Phoenix?

Julie Giese: NASCAR has not been shy about the fact that they were interested in changing up the schedule. But the things that we had going for us is we have a race that has historically sold out and you want a strong crowd for a championship race. You look at the market we are in and Phoenix is a fantastic place to visit in November, especially for fans from the Midwest and Canada. But the thing that

really set us apart is the redevelopment and the $178 million modernization that has really reinvented the fan experience.

AB: How has that modernization impacted fans?

JG: From the moment you walk through the gates, to the midway experience, to your seats and cup-holders, to the escalators, to having Wi-Fi throughout the venue, it’s redefined how a racetrack looks and feels. But the real game-changer is the infield experience, which takes the fan experience to a whole new level. Fans can literally walk into the garages and see teams working on cars and the drivers are in there interacting, taking selfies, signing autographs. All those things together created that perfect storm and put us on the map to host a championship race.

AB: What kind of impact will this race have on the Valley?

JG: There are a lot of things that come with a NASCAR championship. This is our Super Bowl in racing. This is a community that is used to hosting Super Bowls and Final Fours, so we want to make it a championship week versus three days at the racetrack. We plan to make it a celebration and showcase what Phoenix is all about and lean into the opportunities to educate people about NASCAR and what we do out here.

Phoenix Raceway NASCAR weekends March 6-8: FanShield 500 NASCAR Weekend November 6-8: 2020 NASCAR Championship Weekend Information: phoenixraceway.com

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MISSING PIECE IN THE TRENCHES: Andy

Christian, the executive director of the Marine Raider Foundation, is a special forces veteran who retired from the military two years ago and is now a senior vice president at Nikola in Phoenix.

(Provided photos)

FROM A WAR ZONE TO THE BOARDROOM Here’s how to effectively transition from the military into the world of business

By ANDY CHRISTIAN

T

ransitioning from the military can be extremely challenging.

As a Special Operations Officer, I was leading high performance teams committed to accomplishing the mission.

The brotherhood, esprit de corps, and team unity made the job extremely rewarding.

When you depart the military, you quickly realize that a new career won’t be a substitute for life in the military. The key is to look for a company that matches your “why statement” and displays a culture that fits your goals and expectations.

Too often, departing service members take positions that aren’t a good cultural fit, resulting in veterans bouncing from job to job in search of a company that will offer them the appropriate challenges and opportunities.

I was fortunate to attend a threemonth executive-level transition program called the Honor Foundation. The Honor Foundation quickly identifies your strengths, weaknesses and passions.

Through professional instruction and continuous mentorship, the program gives you the tools required to compete for civilian positions that complement

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the skill set of the special operations community. Having a mentor from a Fortune 500 company really opened my eyes to what I was capable of doing postmilitary service. Often times, military service members become myopically focused on jobs they did in the military and are fearful of trying something different due to the potential for failure.

Having a mentor was critical to my successful transition and finding a job that matched my “why” statement.

I also reached out to fellow Marines who had already completed the transition process. It is important to have a network of people who can provide best practices, struggles, achievements and advice to ease some of the unknown that re-entering the civilian sector entails. Special operations is a tight-knit community that prides itself on teamwork and having each other’s backs, and this rings true beyond the battlefield.

Most military service members have spent a career leading. They are quiet professionals who understand the importance of team work and commitment to the unit and mission. There is often a

struggle in effectively communicating their military skill set and how it translates to the civilian sector. It has been my experience that companies want to know what you can do for them and why they should hire you. Transitioning service members have to quickly navigate these types of questions and articulate the impact they will make if they are brought onto the company’s team.

The Marine Raider Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) personnel and their families, offer a number of programs for transitioning MARSOC Raiders, including a network of civilian and former military mentors from a wide range of businesses and backgrounds, a one-time transition grant to assist with out-of-pocket expenses directly related to separating from military service, and helping to stand up the Honor Foundation’s East Coast Campus specifically for MARSOC Raiders based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina — both the military and civilian sectors. The Foundation also supports networking events that bring current and former military personnel together with community leaders and stakeholders, including fundraising events like the November 8th Evening with Mission2Alpha and Marine Raider Foundation and the 2019 USMC Birthday Bash at Rula Bula in Tempe. Keeping veterans connected with one another is key to preserving the team aspect that is sometimes lost when a service member reenters the civilian sector.

Visit the Marine Raider Foundation’s website at marineraiderfoundation.org to view our Event Calendar and learn more about our programs.

Andy Christian, the executive director of the Marine Raider Foundation, is a special forces veteran who retired from the military two years ago and is now a senior vice president at Nikola in Phoenix.

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FINANCIAL SERVICES

EXTRA Arizona Federal Credit Union acquisition of Pinnacle Bank becomes part of an exploding trend in the financial services sector

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

W

hen Arizona Federal Credit Union acquired the operations of Pinnacle Bank of Arizona last year, it became part of a growing trend in the financial services sector.

“We weren’t actively looking for an acquisition partner at the time,” says Ronald L. Westad, Arizona Federal Credit Union’s president and CEO. “We were approached by a broker, and after reviewing the opportunity, we realized the incredible potential of the partnership. As a result of the acquisition, Arizona Federal has gained access to new lines of business that will help fuel our continued growth, and Pinnacle Bank has delivered increased value and scale to their clients, employees and shareholders.”

Credit unions are buying small banks in record numbers, and while it seems to be a win-win for customers and clients, the trend is prompting pushback from the banking industry.

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CREDIT “It’s not in the public’s best interest to see that trend perpetuate,” said Paul Hickman, president and CEO of the Arizona Bankers Association. “It’s regular arbitrage (a practice whereby firms capitalize on loopholes in regulatory systems in order to circumvent unfavorable regulations). Credit unions are tax-exempt, so they are not taxed at the federal or state levels. Allowing credit unions to buy banks is not good public policy and not fair to the community banks who have to compete with them.”

While the banking industry and its advocates say credit unions’ merger activity — and their tax-exempt status — need to be reined in, legislative reform is unlikely any time soon — especially during an election year.

But the trend is real. Consider this: Credit unions bought 16 banks in 2019, which more than doubled the seven mergers that took place in 2018, and that 2018 number more than doubled the three deals that were made in 2017.

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FINANCIAL SERVICES

Those in the credit union space see that as a very positive trend, particularly for its customers.

“Arizona Federal members gain access to additional residential lending options, expanded small business services, SBA financing options and commercial lending services,” Westad says. “The former Pinnacle bank clients – the newest members of Arizona Federal – gain access to a broader network of branches and ATMs, enhanced online and mobile banking solutions, and a robust menu of consumer banking services.”

While the banking industry may be frowning, consumers are not. Since they are not-for-profit and are not owned by outside stockholders, credit unions pass earnings along to consumers in the form of lower loan interest rates, higher savings yields and fewer and lower fees. Using Datatrac pricing data, the Credit Union National Association estimates that in 2018 alone, U.S. credit unions collectively delivered roughly $12 billion in direct financial benefits to their 115 million member-owners, compared with what those consumers would have experienced if they conducted their financial business at a for-profit bank.

“Everything that Arizona Federal Credit Union offered to its members, Pinnacle bank did not offer to its clients and vice versa,” says Michael J. Thorell, president of commercial and residential lending at Arizona Federal Credit Union and former CEO of Pinnacle Bank. “The convergence of the two financial institutions has created 12 consumer-based retail centers and four business and home loan centers. We have not changed what we were doing at Pinnacle Bank. We have just changed the flag on the outside of the building.”

With the acquisitions of Pinnacle Bank, Arizona Federal Credit Union now boasts nearly $2 billion in assets.

“At this moment, we are the best-kept secret in town,” Thorell says. “Nobody would associate Arizona Federal Credit Union with small-business lending, commercial real estate lending, or any type of residential lending that Pinnacle was doing previously.”

The leadership at Arizona Federal acknowledges that the credit union had a tough time establishing expertise in the commercial and small business services space.

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Paul Hickman

Jason Paprocki

Michael J. Thorell Ronald L. Westad

BY THE NUMBERS

Here are the number of credit unions that have acquired banks over the past eight years:

2019 | 16 2018 | 7 2017 | 3 2016 | 3 2015 | 2 2014 | 3 2013 | 0 2012 | 1

“We looked at the acquisition of Pinnacle Bank as a way to acquire the expertise, the personnel, and existing book of business to immediately become a player in the business space,” says Jason Paprocki, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Arizona Federal. “It would have taken us 10-12 years to grow the business to where we were able to get immediately after the acquisition.”

While many banking leaders are vocally opposed to the trend see Arizona Federal’s move as a short-cut to success, the reality is that community banks like Pinnacle are struggling. The number of community banks across the nation is dwindling as the big banks get bigger and smaller, community banks find it harder to compete.

“What everyone hoped regulatorily would not happen to small community banks has happened,” Thorell says. “It’s just that nobody talks about it. The bottom line is that DoddFrank has crippled small community banks — particularly small community banks in large metropolitan cities. So when you really get down to brass tacks, it just made sense to join up with Arizona Federal. How else would we find scale?”

While the 125,000 member-owners of Arizona Federal will benefit from the acquisition by gaining access to additional services and the 2,600 clients of Pinnacle Bank benefit by gaining access to a full suite of consumer services, Thorell says the entire community wins from this deal.

“If you take away the taxation piece and wonder where those dollars go, they are not lining executives’ pockets,” Thorell says. “Those dollars are going back to the member-owners of Arizona Federal and those dollars are going to community investment, something we couldn’t do as a community bank because we didn’t have the scale.”

And as for the trend of credit unions buying community banks? Thorell says to expect that trend to continue.

“This is the metamorphosis of what is happening,” Thorell says. “Credit unions philosophically and culturally feel like what the community bank industry once was.

So the banking industry can hope credit unions won’t keep buying banks, but it’s going to happen.”

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HEALTHCARE

A healthy dose of

TECHNOLOGY The use of artificial intelligence in healthcare helps streamline the patient experience

By ALYSSA TUFTS

A

rtificial intelligence, or AI, is being integrated into almost every industry, but one of the most beneficial uses comes in healthcare. While in early stages in Arizona and across the country, the market value of AI in the healthcare industry is predicted to reach $6.6 billion by 2021.

AI shows promise when it comes to creating a more streamlined, convenient and cost-effective patient experience.

Joan Koerber-Walker, president and CEO of the Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio), says “Artificial intelligence commonly involves the machine’s ability to sense, analyze what is sensed, to interpret and apply the analysis to draw conclusions, and to ultimately learn. In complex applications 20

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like healthcare, fully enabled AI systems are rare if they exist at all. However, new systems and applications that have combinations of the components of AI already exist and are being used here in Arizona to improve the process of delivering healthcare and enhance the patient experience.”

AI can also help save costs with more convenient and accurate triage for patients.

“One example of how components of AI are being combined to improve the interaction between a patient and a healthcare provider is being deployed in Arizona by AdviNOW Medical of Scottsdale,” Koerber-Walker says. “The company describes this as ‘remaking the healthcare encounter.’ By using a combination of data inputted by the

patient or caregiver, AdviNOW’s system can help the patient connect with the appropriate care center based on their insurance coverage, streamline the delivery of the information to a medical professional for telemedicine enabled care when appropriate, or coordinate an inperson visit when needed.

“By streamlining this process, the patient can often get answers and care faster, and since the patient information and the medical providers directions are all in the system, the healthcare provider also saves time and money which can help control healthcare costs,” Koerber-Walker says Driving innovation Jeff Johnson, vice president of digital business and innovation for Banner

“AI-enabled systems are emerging as ways to streamline healthcare delivery.”

— Joan Koerber-Walker

Health, says Banner is “using digital technologies to improve the experience of care for our patients,” which can include how to pay a bill, make an appointment online, refill a prescription, and digital health technologies such as mobile apps.

“On the innovation side, we are looking at these emerging types of ideas and technologies that can really help us change the way care is delivered,” Johnson says.

“In that regard, we’re building a large network of partnerships with universities and startups and large technology companies that we can work with to drive meaningful innovation in the Banner Health System.”

One way Banner is driving innovation is through its AI digital triage platform, Buoy Assistant from Buoy Health, which AB | March - April 2020 21

HEALTHCARE

patients can access through Banner’s website and its mobile app, Johnson says.

“We’re using this AI to be a lot smarter about assessing a patient’s symptoms,” he says. “The powerful AI has the ability to consider things about the patient like their age, gender or habits, and take that data along with all the symptoms they described, and use sophisticated intelligence to determine what may be causing their symptoms. It’s really about getting the patient to the right place of care.

“We’ve learned, oftentimes, people don’t have a good understanding of the severity of their symptoms and sometimes default going to the emergency room and that could be a really expensive and time-consuming thing to do, so if it’s not necessary and you have the option to go to an urgent care, sometimes that’s the better approach,” Johnson says.

Through the platform, Johnson says Banner wanted to help patients make the best decisions to receive the appropriate care and save unnecessary costs. “We’re seeing a 92 percent accuracy rate in terms of guiding the patient to the right place of care.

It’s a much more sophisticated tool than the symptom checkers of the past, due to that AI. Our patients like that peace of mind that they get by being able to use that tool and better understand their symptoms.”

Johnson says Banner is in the early stages of incorporating AI into procedures and hospital operations to improve patients’ experience in both areas, specifically in stroke care, as Johnson says every minute is valuable.

“We’re working with a company that is helping us use AI to immediately look at an image of a brain and immediately detect what it thinks might be indicators of a stroke and if it detects those, it sends out an alert to the on call stroke physician or their team and says the AI has determined there’s something you should look at in this image to determine if it’s stroke,” Johnson says, “and if it is, take the necessary treatment steps.”

As for hospital operations, Johnson says patients are surrounded by a complex environment with lots of staff, imaging and studies being done, and AI can evaluate those aspects and predict if there 22

AB | March - April 2020

In addition, surgeons at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus in Glendale have completed more than 5,000 total robotassisted surgical procedures; more than 1,000 of those procedures were completed in 2019 alone.

While Johnson says it’s still early in the development of AI in healthcare, he thinks the benefits will become more apparent when AI can be used to “understand and analyze the massive data sets healthcare has Jeff Johnson Joan Koerberand being able to analyze that information Walker in a way that it becomes a tool to assist our caregivers and the care they provide. might be a bottleneck. “AI could help “The best possible patient outcome is determine how we can get our patients always the goal and so as we evaluate AI the most efficient, coordinated care in the and any technology, we want to see how hospital as possible.” it’s contributing to a better outcome for that patient,” Johnson says. “We believe What’s in the future?

AI will have lots of areas where it can Some technologies that could help push AI forward in healthcare include “handheld provide that kind of assistance.”

Koerber-Walker echoes Johnson on the devices to enter your information or integral role of data in healthcare. symptoms, a digital thermometer to “Healthcare is data driven,” she says. take your temperature, or a camera “The beauty of these systems is that they enabled scope to look into an achy ear or can be connected. When this happens, the down a sore throat when you say ‘ahh,’” data from a patient visit can be integrated Koerber-Walker says. “New AI-enabled into an electronic health record and tools are being developed by a wide range shared with the treating physician. As of companies. In the future, AI-enabled more data is collected, interconnected AIsystems will aid surgeons with designing enabled systems have more to draw from and then performing delicate surgeries.

Other systems will help physicians identify for analysis and recommendations that support the ultimate decision making by different tumor types and then help identify the best treatment for the patient.” a medical professional. This same data can then be connected into back-office systems, Banner University Medicine-Tucson reducing paperwork and making more time is utilizing oncology and operating available to be spent with the patient.” room technology that provides surgeons AI can also be leveraged in other ways the ability to treat kidney cancer with to improve the patient experience. minimally invasive incisions while “AI-enabled systems are emerging preserving the function of the affected as ways to streamline the healthcare organs. One patient had several large delivery,” Koerber-Walker says. “AItumors on her kidneys and the surgeon used a form of chemotherapy to shrink the optimized triage processes will save time for healthcare professionals and patients. tumors prior to robotic surgery.

The surgeon performed a robotic partial AI — combined with telemedicine services — can help to provide care nephrectomy to cut out the cancer using options that reduce the likelihood of the da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System, a visit to an urgent care or hospital in which uses a computer interface with the case of minor ailments. In addition highly detailed 3D imaging. Through chemotherapy treatment and use of the da to these increased efficiencies, new Vinci Robotic Surgical System, the patient developments in AI-enabled diagnosis recovered faster and had reduced pain after and treatment will give our medical the surgery; recovering in weeks instead of professionals better tools that will allow them to deliver even better care.” several months.

AB | March - April 2020 23

DIVERSE BUSINESS LEADERS TO WATCH

CHAMPIONS OF DIVERSITY Arizona Million Dollar Circle of Excellence honors companies that promote supplier diversity

By GRAHAM BOSCH

W

hen the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team were inducted into the Arizona Million Dollar Circle of Excellence for the sixth year in a row, it had added significance for team leadership.

“Arizona is one of the most diverse states in our nation, and the D-backs are excited to help lead the way in expanding those opportunities in not just baseball, but by encouraging our partners in the community to do the same,” said Derrick Hall, president and CEO of the Diamondbacks.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce presents the honor to companies that promote supplier diversity by spending more than $1 million annually with minority- and woman-owned businesses in the state. The Arizona Million Dollar Circle of Excellence is based on the international Billion Dollar Roundtable, which was created in 2001 to recognize and celebrate corporations that spent at least $1 billion annually with minority- and woman-owned suppliers.

“Having a diverse workforce and supplier base is very important to us, and we are proud to support minority and women-owned businesses across the state,” Hall said.

More than 30 companies submitted their spending reports and were inducted into the 2019 Circle of Excellence, including the Diamondbacks.

Hall also serves on the Arizona-Mexico Commission board of directors and is a member of MLB’s International Committee.

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Under Hall’s leadership, the Diamondbacks hosted the first round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic and have played six games in Mexico during his time at the helm, most recently in the 2019 Monterrey Series, according to the team.

The Diamondbacks will return to Mexico in April 2020 to play against the San Diego Padres on the international stage at Estadio Diablos, a new facility in Mexico City.

“Having an MLB series played in Mexico is a tremendous bit of outreach for tourism,” Luis Ramirez, president of Ramirez Advisors Inter-National, said in August. “Baseball is a common thread between the two countries. Something like this only builds loyalty between Mexico and Arizona. In the future, as these regular season games become more established, we anticipate more Americans going down there to see the games and stay.”

The Arizona Million Dollar Circle of Excellence was created in partnership with the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Arizona, Associated Minority Contractors of America, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Arizona, the Pacific Southwest Supplier Diversity Council, the Asian Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West and other community partners.

This story was originally published by Chamber Business News.

ARIZONA MILLION DOLLAR CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE 2019 INDUCTEES All Nations Environmental Arizona Diamondbacks Arizona State University Arizona Department of Transportation Arizona Public Service Bank of America City of Phoenix-Aviation City of Tempe Connect 202 Partners Cox Communications DP Electric Enterprise Leasing Freeport McMoRan Fry’s Grocery Stores-Tolleson Hensel Phelps Honeywell International Hunt-Austin Joint Venture Hypertec USA Intel J. Banicki Construction JE Dunn Construction Johnson & Johnson

JPMorgan Chase McCarthy Building Companies Navajo Housing Authority Pacificspan Construction Ryan Companies US Salt River Project Southwest Gas Sundt Construction Tekline Electrical Services TOKA (Tohono O’odham Ki:Ki Association) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walmart Whiteriver Construction

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DIVERSE BUSINESS LEADERS TO WATCH Rachel Aja

Manager, government and regulatory affairs > Cox Communications Aja manages local government relationships with Cox and maintains all license franchise agreements within the jurisdictions of Cox Arizona. She is a native Arizonan from Buckeye and attended the University of Arizona. Prior to joining the Cox team, she was an assistant to the Mayor of Goodyear.

Rachel Aja

Rudy Apodaca

Rudy Apodaca

Vice president > Mercy Gilbert Medical Center In addition to his role at Mercy Gilbert, Apodaca is vice-chair of the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “The East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce understands the value of working together to provide businesses the opportunities to position their products and services among Hispanic consumers,” he says.

Bryant Barber Bryant Barber

Antonio Burrola

Partner > Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie Barber concentrates his practice primarily in municipal and tribal capital markets. Long recognized for his ability to craft creative solutions to complex problems, Barber is frequently called upon for assistance by indenture trustees and tribal gaming authorities to restructure distressed transactions.

Antonio Burrola

Latasha Causey

Hilen Cruz

CEO > Sonoran Pueblo Contracting Burrola is Mexican-American, but grew up on tribal land. He helped launch Sonoran Pueblo Contracting in February 2019 and has taken it to 30 employees and more than $8.5 million in projects in 10 months and is working with Pima College and Central Arizona College to launch trade apprentice programs.

Latasha Causey

Head of recruitment > U-Haul International Causey has led the recruiting efforts for major organizations in the Valley, overseeing employment brand enhancement and local and national recruitment efforts. Causey is active in the Phoenix community, including co-chair for Women United Leadership Group with Valley of the Sun United Way.

Hilen Cruz

Lighting management and maintenance > SRP Cruz, co-chair of the energy committee for the Arizona-Mexico Commission, says “I enjoy talking to students and sharing pieces of my journey in hopes of providing them with the reassurance that as long as they work hard and remain disciplined, they can achieve any success they aim for.”

Diana Díaz-Harrison

Diana Díaz-Harrison

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Founder > Arizona Autism Charter Schools Díaz-Harrison is a founder and executive director at Arizona Autism Charter Schools. She was inspired to start the school by her son, Sammy, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. Like many parents, she struggled to find an appropriate school for her son and decided to do something about it.

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DIVERSE BUSINESS LEADERS TO WATCH Alexis Hermosillo

Mayor > City of El Mirage Hermosillo is committed to the empowerment of women. She serves on the Board of the YWCA of Metropolitan Phoenix, and has worked with the Hispanic Women’s Corporation, supporting their national youth initiatives. She has also dedicated herself to engaging and motivating Latino youth through leadership development programs.

Alexis Hermosillo

Tomás León

Tomás León

Senior vice president > Equality Health With more than two decades of experience in diversity and inclusion, León brings a purpose-driven approach to advancing diversity and inclusion in healthcare. As president and CEO of the Institute for Diversity in Health Management, he created an equity of care campaign that engaged nearly 1,500 hospitals and health systems and 50 state hospital associations.

Gordon Lewis Gordon Lewis

Leonardo Loo

Partner > Jones, Skelton & Hochuli Lewis has more than 23 years of experience representing public and private employers in all manners of employment issues, policies and practices. He has drafted and reviewed employment agreements, and has created policies for employers regarding sexual harassment, drug testing, medical leave and other employment issues.

Leonardo Loo

Bettina Nava

Robert Valencia

Managing partner > Quarles & Brady Loo was born in Venezuela and his family’s roots are in China and Mexico. He is chair of Chicanos Por la Causa and has been honored by the Black Chamber of Arizona. He practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, commercial financing, international transactions, securities, and general corporate law.

Bettina Nava

Co-founder and owner > OH Strategic Communications Nava works with blue chip and emerging clients to aggressively achieve their goals in diverse markets. She has extensive background in political and community strategic planning and implementation with an emphasis in communications and building coalitions around complex social issues.

Robert Valencia

Chairman > Pascua Yaqui Tribe Valencia started his career in politics in the late 1970s before the Pascua Yaqui Tribe received federal recognition. He was a member of the Pascua Yaqui Association from 1977-1980 serving as the interim councilman.

Since 2000, the University of Arizona graduate has served on the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council.

Monica Villalobos

Monica Villalobos

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President and CEO > Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce AHCC named Villalobos president and CEO in August 2019. She previously served as vice president of the chamber since October 2012.

She was introduced to the chamber as a consultant in 2011, working on a research project called DATOS — now the organization’s premier research publication — as well as some marketing campaigns.

Renowned chef Jean-Christophe Gros has over 35 years’ experience working for several famous French restaurants in France with Michelin ratings.

Since 2015, Jean-Christophe has been sharing his passion for French cuisine with Phoenicians.

He explains his concept, “I love to share my years of experience in developing traditional French dishes. At Voila I serve more modern recipes that are elegant and flavorful. This is not la nouvelle cuisine but las cuisine traditionelle moderne.”

10135 East Vía Linda, Scottsdale, AZ, 85258 11am to 1:45pm and 5pm to 8:00pm (from Tuesday thru Thursday) – 8:30pm (Friday and Saturday)

voilafrenchbistro.com | 480.614.5600

MARKETING

BE HUMAN Self-driving technology can feel daunting and disconnected from humanity, yet our consumer-focused motivation to make roads safer for all is what drives us. Through showcasing the humanity behind our technology and the delight our product brings, we reassure the public that our moonshot technology, and most importantly the people inventing it, are real and trustworthy. Through experiential marketing, we’ve also extended this sentiment by meeting people and interacting face-to-face with them via Waymo-led events and brand activations.

BUILDING A NEW BRAND ONE STEP AT A TIME

H

istory isn’t made in bold predictions, but happens over time, in a series of small steps forward.

No brand understands this better than Waymo, which for 10 years, has been relentlessly pursuing thousands of steps to bring self-driving technology to market and make mobility better and safer for all.

Building fully self-driving technology isn’t easy, and neither is creating and scaling the business around it. Every day, my team grapples with designing the brand for this unfamiliar, yet exciting, evolving technology, navigating questions like how to foster trust around technology that still sounds like science-fiction to many, or what’s the right way to drive awareness about a product that has widespread benefits but is being rolled out gradually.

While these are a few of the marketing obstacles we’ve faced introducing our self-driving ride-hailing service,

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Jackie Hyun Marketing

Waymo One, in Metro Phoenix last year, they are similar to the hurdles many other businesses face as they launch a new product or brand. To help overcome them, we kicked off a consumer campaign, Every Step Matters, to build familiarity and trust around Waymo among the public.

Here are three key lessons we took away from the campaign:

BE HONEST AND AUTHENTIC Level set with your audience and bring them along on your journey by being transparent and honest. At Waymo, we’ve been working on self-driving technology for ten years now, and we’re bringing this technology to the world responsibly, one step at a time, to ultimately offer the widespread benefits this technology holds. We transparently communicated our authentic mission throughout our campaign and set the expectations that we are starting locally in Metro Phoenix before rolling out our technology to more people in more places. Through this we showed people that yes, self-driving cars are really happening now, but we are clear that they won’t be everywhere overnight.

TEST, LEARN, AND ITERATE Every Step Matters, consistent with its name, has been rolled out in a series of media phases. Insights from each media phase have informed future media buys, coupled with continued consumer brand tracking to gauge the campaign’s overall impact on perceptions of the Waymo brand. Consumers are just starting to formulate their opinion of self-driving technology. We’ve made sure to test our messaging, our creative, and our media effectiveness at every turn, so that we can optimize our spend and stay sensitive to the voice of consumers.

Jackie Hyun is brand marketing lead at Waymo.

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DINING

NICHE MARKET

Chef Jennifer Russo uses her culinary creativity to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece with The Market Restaurant + Bar

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

S

pinoffs aren’t supposed to be as good as the original.

“Creed” will never be as iconic as “Rocky,” right?

But there is one spinoff in Phoenix that breaks the rule and is a culinary knockout: The Market Restaurant + Bar by Jennifer’s, which is a spinoff of Chef Jennifer’s Russo’s muchloved catering company, Jennifer’s Catering.

Since opening in 2014 in what was once the wine storage area for Ernesto’s Backstreet Wine Bar, the industrial-chic eatery with a new spin on American fare has distinguished itself as a neighborhood favorite in Arcadia, which is filled with hip establishments that don’t hold a tastebud to the deliciousness

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being served by Russo and staff. Heavily influenced by the farmto-table style of cooking, Russo’s menu is filled with masterpieces made with locally sourced ingredients.

Russo, who has been one of the Valley’s best and most indemand caterers for more than 20 years, graduated from California Culinary Academy in San Francisco before going on to work with acclaimed Valley chefs Vincent Guerithault at Vincent on Camelback, Chef Anton Brunbauer at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Viking Cruises, and Mark Tarbell at Tarbell’s. She draws on that experience and on her creativity to offer familiar dishes with a twist that take The Market to the next level. Some cannot-miss items: • Shrimp and grits ($15): Made with butter-poached shrimp, Hayden flour grits, grilled corn, gremolata, candied lemon, and flakey salt, this dish is cooked with such sophistication and perfection that each bite melts in your mouth like cotton candy.

• Squid ($14): Russo uses her culinary creativity to reimagine this classic dish and make it better. The Market serves the crispy calamari with fried kale to create an innovated and brilliant combination that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

• Meatballs ($15): My Italian grandmother always said the only proper way to make meatballs is to combine beef, veal and pork.

Russo does this and adds her magic to create meatballs that burst with deliciousness.

• Ricotta gnocchi ($19): These house-made dumplings, served with roasted pork, wild mushrooms, spinach, basil, and tomato vodka coulis will rival anything — including Sunday gravy at Grandma’s — as the best Italian dish in the state. This can also be prepared for vegetarians.

• Lamb chop ($32) and prime beef tenderloin ($28): The Market knows its meats — and how to cook them to perfection. One bite of either of these dishes will bring tears to your eyes. That’s how good they are. Like butter.

The Market is a hidden gem located in the Gas Light Square on the southwest corner of Indian School Road and 36th Street in Phoenix. In addition to its otherworldly food, The Market has an incredible wine list, a huge variety of local beers, craft cocktails, and local cold brew on tap.

The service, the atmosphere, and the love that goes into each dish makes The Market Restaurant + Bar by Jennifer’s feel like home … only better.

The Market Restaurant + Bar by Jennifer’s Location: 3603 E. Indian School Rd., Suite A Phoenix Hours: Brunch, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; dinner, Wednesday–Saturday 4 p.m.–9 p.m.; Happy Hour, Wednesday–Saturday 4 p.m.–6 p.m.

Website: themarketbyjennifers.com Contact: 602-626-5050

CELEBRATING ANOTHER YEAR OFYEAR A CELEBRATING ANOTHER OF A CELEBRATING ANOTHER YEAR OF A FRESH TWIST THE ON CLASSICS FRESHON TWIST THE CLASSICS FRESH TWIST ON THE CLASSICS

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COMING NEXT ISSUE INSPIRE » GUIDE » CONNECT

// FEBRUARY JANUARY

2020

Featured topics include: • Meet the most innovative companies in Arizona • Here are the best summer staycation deals for 2020

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• What you need to know about economic development in Tucson • Spotlight on the finalists for the 2020 Healthcare Leadership Awards

For additional information call 602.277.6045 or visit azBIGmedia.com AB | March - April 2020 33

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By MICHAEL GOSSIE

I

f you’re wondering what it takes to be one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, experts say a leap of faith might be a good start.

“Don’t be afraid to try something new or take the lead,” says Jonathan L. Frutkin, principal at Radix Law. “As a lawyer, your clients are looking to you as the assertive voice of reason. Do your research, work hard and exceed their expectations. You’ll be rewarded in the end.”

Frutkin is among the Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona for 2020. The attorneys were selected from a pool of more than 2,000 of the state’s most talented and successful attorneys. The prestigious group of candidates is vetted by Az Business magazine’s editorial team in collaboration with industry experts, and then an algorithm — incorporating professional ratings, industry accolades, impact on the communities she/he serves, and impact on the legal profession — is used to make final selections.

So how can a young attorney build a career that will land her on a future Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona list? Since we live in an era of specialization — in sports, in medicine, in business — experts say it might not be a bad idea to follow that lead in the legal industry.

“Find an area of law that you have a passion for, learn as much as you can by reading, working hard, and finding a mentor or mentors to guide you,” says Steven N. Berger, shareholder at Engelman

Berger, another attorney who has made the Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona list multiple times. “Treat other attorneys as you would hope to be treated. Details are crucial, but don’t lose sight of the big picture. Never lose sight of your client’s goal.”

Another thing never to forget, according to some of the Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, is that the client’s goals should always come first.

“Law is a service industry, much like the restaurant business,” says Jennifer A. Cranston, shareholder at Gallagher & Kennedy, one of AZRE magazine’s Most Influential Women in Arizona and a member of this year’s Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona. “The product can be excellent, but if the service is lousy, you won’t have happy customers, which means no repeat business or referrals.”

Do you know an attorney who should be considered for the 2021 list? Email Editor in Chief Michael Gossie at michael.gossie@ azbigmedia.com.

Steven N. Berger

Jennifer A. Cranston

Jonathan L. Frutkin

AB | March - April 2020 35

TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020 ANDREW ABRAHAM President and shareholder Burch & Cracchiolo Practice areas: Real estate

law, real estate litigation, commercial litigation JULIA S. ACKEN Member Jennings Strouss Practice areas: Labor

and employment law

HILARY L. BARNES

TIMOTHY J. BERG

Member Allen Barnes & Jones

Director Fennemore Craig

Practice areas:

Practice areas:

Corporate and consumer bankruptcy

Civil appeals, state constitutional and public law, public records law and public utilities regulation STEVEN N. BERGER Shareholder Engelman Berger Practice areas:

Bankruptcy and reorganization, creditor’s rights, loan workouts, business restructurings, business and real estate disputes, mediation

LAURA BIANCHI

KEITH A. BERKSHIRE Founder Berkshire Law Office Practice areas:

Family law

Shareholder and partner

Bianchi Brandt & Hale Practice areas: Cannabis business law and financing Business advice: “To successfully navigate the complexities of the cannabis and hemp industries on a state, federal, and international level, you need to have a deep understanding of the laws, rules and regulatory frameworks that shape these markets, and even more importantly, the practical and realworld experience.”

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WILLIAM D. BISHOP

MAUREEN BEYERS Partner Beyers Farrell Practice areas: Business

litigation and arbitration

STEVE BIDDLE Shareholder Littler Practice areas:

Discrimination and harassment, workplace safety and health, labor management relations, wage and hour matters

Founder Bishop Law Office Practice areas:

Family law

CONGRATULATIONS on being named a top 100 lawyer

by AzBusiness Magazine

Wilenchik & Bartness, an AV Rated Preeminent firm since its founding in 1991, is pleased to congratulate Dennis Wilenchik on being named a Top 100 Lawyer by AzBusiness and to further congratulate his son John D. (Jack) Wilenchik on being a Super Lawyer this year, as well.

The ďŹ rm continues to provide aggressive, reasoned counsel to individuals and companies of all sizes in regard to complex federal, state and criminal litigation, and congratulates the other lawyers selected as well.

Dennis Wilenchik Attorney at Law The Wilenchik & Bartness Building 2810 North Third Street Phoenix, Arizona 85004

P 602-606-2810 | F 602-606-2811 www.wb-law.com | diw@wb-law.com

TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020

EDWIN C. BULL

NEAL H. BOOKSPAN Shareholder Jaburg | Wilk

Shareholder Burch & Cracchiolo

Practice areas:

Employment, real estate and constructionrelated matters

Practice areas: Real estate, land use and zoning Industry outlook: “My outlook for our industry is extremely healthy. With our hard work and vision, we will continue to develop our Valley into one of the most prosperous business hubs and best places to live in our country.”

HEATHER J. BOYSEL Managing Member Gammage & Burnham Practice areas: Healthcare,

government relations and administrative law, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, real estate, land use, construction law HEATHER BUCHTA

ROBIN E. BURGESS

Office chair of the Intellectual Property Group Quarles & Brady

Shareholder Sanders & Parks

Practice areas:

Healthcare, medical malpractice, product liability, professional liability, municipal liability

E-commerce, software, technology and data privacy, with an additional focus on copyright and trademark prosecution

Practice areas:

FLAVIA CAMPBELL ANNETTE T. BURNS Founder Annette T. Burns Law Offices Practice areas: Family law,

Partner Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie Practice areas:

Trademarks and copyrights

and focuses on acting as mediator and arbitrator

JOHN ALAN DORAN Member Sherman & Howard

ANNE CHAPMAN Attorney Mitchell | Stein | Carey | Chapman Practice area: White-

collar criminal defense

Practice areas: Labor and

JENNIFER CRANSTON Shareholder and member of the board of directors Gallagher & Kennedy Practice areas:

Condemnation and valuation, insurance, public utilities 38

AB | March - April 2020

employment, litigation, trials, appeals

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TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020 DANIEL G. DOWD Partner and president Cohen Dowd Quigley Practice areas: Commercial

litigation, administrative disputes, internal investigations LOGAN ELIA Partner Rose Law Group Practice areas: Business

litigation, intellectual property law, cyber law, medical cannabis litigation, and appellate practice JAMES A. FASSOLD Shareholder Tiffany & Bosco Practice areas: Appellate

practice, probate administration and litigation

BRIGITTE FINLEY GREEN Shareholder Engelman Berger Practice areas: Public

finance and federal tax law RICHARD A. FRIEDLANDER Attorney Lang & Klain Practice areas: Mediation,

arbitration, construction litigation, commercial litigation

JONATHAN FRUTKIN Principal Radix Law Practice areas: Business

law and commercial litigation

MATTHEW P. FEENEY Phoenix firm chair

Snell & Wilmer Practice areas: Mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, SEC reporting and compliance, and corporate governance matters Personal strengths: “I work hard. I enjoy building relationships in all areas of my life; I try to do what I believe is right; I try to avoid being petty; and I try to be collaborative and fair. I also value and try to cultivate creativity and innovation. And I work hard.”

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GARRICK L. GALLAGHER Owner and director Sanders & Parks Practice areas:

Personal injury, mass torts, insurance litigation and voverage

SEAN D. GARRISON LAUREN L. GARNER Partner Jaburg Wilk Practice areas: Probate

and trust litigation and mediation

Partner Bacal & Garrison Law Group Practice areas: Software

license agreements, software and platform development agreements, software-as-a-service (SaaS) agreements, joint development agreements

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TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020 KAREN S. GAYLORD Partner Jennings Haug Cunningham Practice areas:

Environmental law and litigation, energy and energy regulatory law, water law JAMES GOODNOW President and managing partner Fennemore Craig Practice areas: Business

litigation, commercial contingency litigation, litigation BENJAMIN GOTTLIEB

STACEY F. GOTTLIEB

Founding partner MacQueen & Gottlieb

Of counsel Cohen Dowd Quigley

Practice areas: Real

Practice areas: Complex

estate, business, commercial cases

commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense ANDREW F. HALABY Partner Snell & Wilmer

ROBERT HAWS

Practice areas: Intellectual Chair of the Employment property and technology and Education Law Practice Groups litigation, intellectual Gust Rosenfeld

property and technology, commercial litigation, professional licensure

ANGIE K. HALLIER

Practice areas: Labor

and employment, education law

Partner

Hallier Lawrence Practice areas: Divorce and family law matters, including litigation, mediation, collaborative divorce, and arbitration Professional advice: “Divorce is a stressor, and everyone reacts differently to stress. You must adapt your communication style and personality to ensure every client gets what they need to successfully transition to a best after divorce life.”

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BEN HIMMELSTEIN Partner Radix Law Practice areas:

Business break-ups, misappropriation of trade secrets, business torts, sales contracts, buy and sell agreements, and non-compete and nonsolicit agreements

KAMI M. HOSKINS Partner Gordon & Rees Practice areas:

Employment law; bankruptcy, restructuring and creditors’ rights; commercial litigation

DONALD W. HUDSPETH Principal attorney Law Offices of Donald W. Hudspeth Practice areas: Corporate

and business law

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TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020 DOUGLAS A. JORDEN Partner Jorden Hiser & Joy

Practice areas: Land use, zoning, municipal law, real estate, environmental and Indian law

MICHAEL K. KENNEDY Co-founding partner, shareholder and member of the board of directors Gallagher & Kennedy Practice areas: Business

litigation, professional liability, sports law JORDAN A. KROOP

DAVID L. LANSKY

Partner Perkins Coie

Member Clark Hill

Practice areas: Corporate

Practice areas:

bankruptcy, restructuring Represents buyers, sellers, investors, and and reorganization lenders in a wide variety of complex commercial real estate transactions AMY L. LIEBERMAN Founder Insight Employment Mediation and Insight Mediation Group Practice areas:

Arbitration and mediation

PATRICK MACQUEEN

RICHARD LIEBERMAN Chairman, Corporate, Securities and Finance Department Jennings, Strouss & Salmon Practice areas: Mergers

and acquisitions, securities, corporate governance, finance and banking, employment, executive compensation, bankruptcy and corporate restructuring

Founder and partner

MacQueen & Gottlieb Practice areas: Real estate transactional law and real estate litigation Personal strengths: “There are two – the first is having a purpose, which keeps me on task and allows me to focus on the big picture. The second is a sense of humor, which comes in handy when the first thing inevitably goes off the rails.”

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GERALD MALTZ JOHN F. LOMAX, JR. Partner Snell & Wilmer Practice areas: Labor

and employment, Native American affairs, energy and utilities

Shareholder and president Miller Pitt Feldman & McAnally MICHAEL C. MANNING Partner Practice areas: Business Stinson

litigation

Practice areas: Business

litigation, antitrust, governance, risk and compliance, real estate litigation

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TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020 NICOLE MAROULAKOS GOODWIN Managing Shareholder Greenberg Traurig Practice areas: Corporate

governance disputes, financial services litigation, real estate litigation, post-acquisition disputes, KAREN C. MCCONNELL Partner health care litigation, and Ballard Spahr franchise litigation Practice areas: Mergers and acquisitions, private equity, securities and capital markets

MICHAEL MCGRATH Partner and board chair Mesch Clark Rothschild Practice areas: Debtor

TIBOR NAGY, JR.

and creditor rights as well as commercial and real estate litigation and transactions

Represents corporations and individuals in a wide variety of criminal and civil matters

PEDRO J. MIRANDA Partner Squire Patton Boggs Practice areas: Public

finance

Practice areas: Represents

Practice areas: Labor and employment law

AB | March - April 2020

Practice areas:

Shareholder Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart

46

Partner Blythe Grace

TRACY A. MILLER

Office managing shareholder

Professional advice: “The legal profession is not immune from technological change. In fact, in the next 10-20 years technology, especially AI, will shape and define the practice of law more than any other generation that preceded you. Prepare yourself for that change by (1) learning and embracing the technology, and (2) developing your distinctly human qualities and skills, which will set you apart from the competition as the profession becomes increasingly commoditized.”

ALEXANDRA MIJARES NASH

management in all facets of labor and employment law and civil rights JASON B. MORRIS Partner Withey Morris Practice areas: Land use,

planning, zoning, and administrative law

MARK NADEAU Co-managing partner, Phoenix office DLA Piper Practice areas: Television,

MICHAEL D. MOBERLY Shareholder Ryley Carlock & Applewhite Practice areas: Labor

and employment, insurance defense, litigation

aviation, real estate hospitality, energy, trade secret and unfair business practice matters

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AB | March - April 2020 47

TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020 EDWARD F. NOVAK Shareholder Polsinelli Practice areas: Government

investigations, commercial litigation, healthcare litigation, attorney discipline, white-collar criminal defense

RANDY NUSSBAUM Attorney Sacks Tierney Practice areas: Bankruptcy,

debtor and creditor rights, trustee representation, commercial litigation, real estate law, construction litigation

KEVIN E. O’MALLEY

PAMELA OVERTON RISOLEO

Shareholder and member of the board of directors Gallagher & Kennedy

Shareholder Greenberg Traurig

Practice areas:

Practice areas: Class

Insurance, public bidding and procurement, administrative law, professional liability, litigation, construction

action litigation, products liability and mass tort, litigation, trial practice JAMES H. PATTERSON

SHAWN OLLER

Office managing shareholder

Littler Practice areas: Represents management and companies in all aspects of employment litigation arbitration and mediation Professional advice: “Invest in yourself. The effort you put into your career will pay off in ways that may not be readily apparent. I was encouraged to become licensed in the neighboring state. While it was time consuming as a new lawyer, being licensed in several states has greatly helped my career.”

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Member Dickinson Wright Practice areas: real

STEVEN D. PIDGEON Co-managing partner DLA Piper Practice areas: Mergers and

acquisitions, capital markets and general corporate

estate, land use and zoning, leasing, real estate acquisition and dispositions, real estate finance, corporate STEVEN PLITT Senior member The Cavanagh Law Firm Practice areas:

Insurance law and insurance benefits, insurance litigation MARLENE A. PONTRELLI

DANIEL P. QUIGLEY Partner and vice president Cohen Dowd Quigley Practice areas: Commercial

litigation, including cases raising antitrust and intellectual property issues

Member | Dickinson Wright Practice areas: Family law, including dissolution

and legal separation of marriage, business valuations, division of property, spousal support, post-dissolution modifications, premarital and post-marital agreements, paternity, child custody, parenting time, child support matters

“The Business of our Firm is Business” AREAS OF PRACTICE Arbitration & Mediation Asset Protection Business & Commercial Law Business & Commercial Litigation Business Formation & Planning Buy-Sell Agreements Collections Contract Law & International Contracts Directors & Officers Liability Franchise Agreements General Representation & Advice Joint Ventures Mergers & Acquisitions Succession Planning Trademarks, Patents, Intellectual Properties Uniform Commercial Code CISG

3200 N Central Ave • Suite 2500 • Phoenix, AZ 85012 602-265-7997 • thefirm@azbuslaw.com • azbuslaw.com

AB | March - April 2020 49

TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020 STEPHANIE QUINCY

BARBARA RODRIQUEZPASHKOWSKI

Partner Quarles & Brady Practice areas: Labor and

employment, trade secrets and unfair competition, financial institutions litigation, trade secrets

Chair of the firm’s Real Estate and Commercial Sections

CYNTHIA A. RICKETTS Founding partner Sacks Ricketts & Case

Gust Rosenfeld

Practice areas: Complex

Practice areas: Environmental law, natural resources, administrative law, litigation Source of pride: “Mentoring diverse students who are considering a legal career. It is rewarding to support and encourage pursuit of their dreams, helping them achieve those dreams, and share my perspective as a minority. In doing so, the legal community is further enriched with up and coming diverse talent.”

contract and commercial litigation, consumer class action defense DAVID B. ROSENBAUM

THOMAS J. SALERNO

Partner Osborn Maledon

Partner Stinson

Practice areas: Complex

Practice areas:

commercial litigation in the state and federal courts

Bankruptcy and restructuring

BRIAN J. SCHULMAN Head of Litigation Group Weiss Brown Practice areas: Securities

litigation and regulatory compliance, financial services litigation and regulatory compliance, real estate litigation, franchise law, Indian law

DARIN SENDER Founding partner and attorney Sender Practice areas: Zoning

and land use law

LEON SILVER Managing partner Gordon & Rees

JOHN G. SESTAK Member Jennings Strouss

Practice areas:

Commercial litigation, retail and hospitality, Practice areas: Shareholder privacy, data and Corporate, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, cybersecurity, securities administrative, Smoak & Stewart litigation, employment creditors’ rights, Practice areas: Employment litigation securities litigation, real law, including an emphasis estate, employment, on complex but proactive professional compliance projects, such negligence, and as 50-state compliant environmental matters wage deductions and lawful parental leave programs 50

AB | March - April 2020

NONNIE L. SHIVERS

CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST SELECTED TO ARIZONA’S FINEST LAWYERS AND OTHER TOP CREDENTIALS

Bishop Law Office seeks to obtain the best results for its clients, and to provide quality family law services at a reasonable cost. Bishop Law Office attorneys are very experienced and aggressively seek to obtain the best results for our clients. Check our website for more information about us. www.bishoplawoffice.com

ALL TYPES OF FAMILY LAW • Complex Property Division • Divorce • Child Support • Legal Decision Making • Order Enforcement • Modification • Pre & Post Marital Agreements • Family Law Mediation

602.749.8500 BishopLawOffice.com Phoenix // Tempe

William D. Bishop

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TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020 FRANCES R. SJOBERG Partner Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie Practice areas:

Intergovernmental agreements, tribal business transactions, real estate and complex project management

K. THOMAS SLACK Partner Beale Micheaels Slack & Shughart Practice areas: Represents

CHRISTOPHER S. STACHOWIAK

plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases including trucking, automobile, railroad crossing and workplace accidents

Attorney | Osborn Maledon

WENDI A. SORENSEN

Practice areas: Domestic

and cross border mergers, acquisitions, angel and venture capital financings, Practice areas: Personal injury and wrongful death public and private securities litigation, mediation and offerings, joint ventures, technology licensing arbitration Shareholder Burch & Cracchiolo

MATT C. SWEGER Partner Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie

ANDREW B. TURK

Practice areas: Corporate

and finance transactions, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, capital raising, formation of new businesses

Senior counsel

Clark Hill Practice areas: Construction law, healthcare litigation, tort, and insurance litigation Professional advice: “Virtually every aspect of the profession has undergone a huge amount of change in the last two decades. If you can be on the leading edge of that change, procedurally, technically, and philosophically, you can provide better service to not only your clients, but to your older colleagues.�

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WILLIAM L. THORPE

Partner Perkins Coie Practice areas:

Environmental and natural resource permitting and related federal, state and administrative litigation

C. BRADLEY VYNALEK

Thorpe Shwer

Partner Quarles & Brady

Practice areas:

Represents both large and small enterprises in complex commercial and tort matters

CHRISTOPHER D. THOMAS

DEBORA VERDIER

Practice areas: Litigation

and dispute resolution; real estate and construction litigation; banking and financial Practice areas: Employment institutions; fiduciary, law-defense trust and probate litigation Partner Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester

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TOP 100 LAWYERS 2020 E. JEFFREY WALSH Shareholder, commercial litigation Greenberg Traurig Practice areas: Commercial

litigation, construction law, real estate litigation, trial practice, arbitration and mediation

PAUL M. WEISER Managing shareholder, Arizona office Buchalter Practice areas:

Commercial real estate

SCOTT K. WEISS Attorney Weiss Brown

DENNIS WILENCHIK Member and manager Wilenchik & Bartness

Practice areas: Corporate

Practice areas: Complex and securities, financing, civil litigation, business mergers and acquisitions and real estate law, contract and business disputes, criminal law, civil and criminal appeals

SUSAN M. WISSINK Director, management

LONNIE J. WILLIAMS, JR. committee member, chair of Partner | Stinson Practice areas: Represents

LORI L. WINKELMAN

large companies in discrimination lawsuits and in intellectual property cases

Fennemore Craig Foundation Fennemore Craig Practice areas: Corporate

and mergers and acquisitions

Attorney

Phoenix Law Group Practice areas: Pharmacy benefits and operations; compliance counseling; contracting; corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, and creditors’ rights Childhood aspiration: “I was a late bloomer and didn’t go to law school until I was in my 30s. I think there are many younger folks who may not know what they want to do and I think it is OK to wait a little bit until you know yourself better.”

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MARK G. WORISCHECK

MICHAEL B. WITHEY Partner Withey Morris Practice areas: Handles

larger, complicated rezonings; negotiates the differing development and re-development agreements with municipalities and counties throughout Arizona

GRANT WOODS Shareholder Gallagher & Kennedy Practice areas: Government

affairs and lobbying, litigation, plaintiff’s personal injury and wrongful death

Managing shareholder Sanders & Parks Practice areas: Insurance

coverage, aviation, personal injury

AB | March - April 2020 55

TOURISM

THE WOW FACTOR Here are little-known facts about Arizona resorts that you won’t read about on Tripadvisor 56

AB | March - April 2020

By ALISON BAILIN BATZ

N

umbers don’t lie.

Last year, Arizona hotels and resorts hosted more than 45.5 million overnight visitors, resulting in $24.4 billion in direct visitor spending and $3.6 billion in tax revenue.

However, while these numbers are astounding, they don’t tell the whole story of the hospitality industry in this state.

So much goes into making our local hotels and resorts special, both to us and to travelers from across the globe.

As such, here is a look at just some of “little extras” that set Arizona’s top hotel and resorts apart from anywhere else in the world.

Arizona Biltmore: A Waldorf Astoria Resort Most people know that the Tequila Sunrise cocktail was invented here. But

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa

did you know that the Gold Room ceiling is the second largest gold-gilded feature in the world, next to the Taj Mahal? Or that the resort’s iconic block look is a variation on a textile block first used by Frank Lloyd Wright to construct private homes? And that all 250,000 of these pre-cast blocks were made from desert sand on-site?

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa You’ve likely seen the Scotch Library just off the award-winning resort’s lobby. But did you know said library is home to Arizona’s largest scotch whisky collection, including more than 300 labels representing all of Scotland’s whisky regions and some of the globe’s rarest scotches? And on the flip side, its signature deseo restaurant features one of America’s largest South American wine lists, honored for more than a decade by Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator.

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix This downtown Phoenix gem boasts ARTLAB, powered by Artlink. Located on the second-floor of the hotel’s Living Room, the pop-up art studio features a different exhibit every six weeks as a new artist in residence uses the space to bring their paintings and pottery to life. Hidden behind a set of large saloon-style doors fabricated by local artist Doug Boyd of Artfully Rogue, the space features a movable stage that rolls out into a working studio.

W Scottsdale Hotel You know the traditional hotel lobby?

Don’t expect it here. While being built, ownership decided to knock down the walls of a traditional lobby and instead offer what it calls its Living Room upon entrance. There, expect the combination of cozy couches, chic décor, live music and even an expansive bar with signature

cocktails. Upstairs, beyond newly renovated rooms, there is a rooftop pool and the iconic SHADE Lounge, an indoor-outdoor oasis for jet-setters and locals alike.

The Phoenician In a male-dominated field, the AAA Five Diamond Phoenician has four leading female chefs on its culinary team: Executive Sous Chef Rebecca Tillman; Mowry & Cotton Chef de Cuisine Tandy Peterson; Pastry Sous Chef Ashley Liane-Winters; and Chef Michelle Milz. There is also an in-house seamstress to assist guests with any wardrobe malfunctions, and The Jokake Inn, the adobe structure on The Phoenician grounds, was used in the 1987 film, Raising Arizona, with Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter.

The Hermosa Inn This boutique and historically important hotel – built in the 1930s by cowboy artist AB | March - April 2020 57

TOURISM Lon Megargee as an art studio and guest ranch to supplement his income – features the only subterranean wine cellar in the greater-Phoenix area. But get this: when the wine cellar was dug, it revealed the legendary tunnels leading to the main residence to the stables that allowed Megargee’s guests to escape gambling raids.

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia The resort has a variety of fruit grown on property, including Meyer lemons, Valencia oranges and ruby grapefruits. This fruit harvested on property is now being used in an exclusive local collaboration with Huss Brewing Co. The new Citrus Path Hazy IPA is a balanced craft beer that boasts natural juicy notes from the hops and added citrus and has a light bitterness.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin The Ak-Chin Indian Community entered into the gaming industry in 1994 as part of the original compacts and established a management agreement with Harrah’s. To date, Ak-Chin is the only tribal community with an international management company.

JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

To honor its cultural heritage, throughout the property, guests will see Native American-inspired artwork and design elements that highlight the culture and traditions of the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa Certainly, celebrity chef Beau MacMillan is a draw here, not to mention the triathlon lessons available with Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman (yes, really!). But, the resort’s now-annual hosting of what is quickly becoming one of the premier food events in the Southwest – Nirvana Food and Wine – is bringing national and international chefs, winemakers and spirit makers to the Valley like never before. All set against Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain’s spectacular backdrop, Nirvana – April 16 to 19 this year – is every foodie’s dream.

CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa Two words: Meditative Labyrinth. Yep, they have one. And it’s located on the resort’s yoga lawn, no less. Beyond that, resort chef Justin Macy is a cookbook author who hand-picks prickly pear fruits each year to make the restaurants’ jams, jellies, beverage mixes, sauces and more.

CIVANA is also the only resort in Phoenix providing in-depth wellness classes – 70 types of classes each week, no less – included with an overnight stay.

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix

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Hotel Valley Ho In 1957, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood held their private wedding reception in the hotel’s ballroom. More than 70 years later, Hotel Valley Ho is still a favorite of celebrities and the

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TOURISM general public alike thanks to its constant innovations like the spa’s new French 75 facial, its newly launched Cabanas After Dark program with poolside parties under the stars happening on select Friday nights, and signature restaurant ZuZu’s monthly “Show Stopper” Shake, a monthly dessert special you have to see to believe.

some of which are pieces commissioned specifically for the hotel. Its entertainment space is also second to none, with the ability to host up to 4,000 guests for its always revolving list of A-list entertainers including Skrillx, Diplo and Steve Aoki.

El Portal Sedona Hotel Intimate and eclectic, this boutique Sedona hotel legitimately furnished the entire property – stained glass, lamps, pictures, radios and pottery – with artsy collections its owners found at garage and estate sales over the course of three decades.

Beyond that, its beams and woodwork came from a wooden trestle across the Great Salt Lake called the Lucin Cutoff built in 1904. Because of the elements to which it was exposed, the wood is full of unique characteristics that create a sense of warmth and intrigue wherever it is placed.

Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass This Chandler-area resort – with an equestrian center on property – is one of the few resorts in the world that has a fulltime Cultural Concierge who gives guests cultural tours of the resort, information on the Pima and Maricopa tribes, and ensures that all who come are honoring the tribes in an authentic and respectful way. They also offer a variety of cultural classes for guests to enjoy including jewelry making, gourd painting, chemeith (ancient flatbread) making and more.

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa The resort’s golf – Wildfire Golf Club – boasts the only female director of golf in the Americas for Marriott. Back at the main property, the resort harvests its own honey with the separate hives on property led by queen bees names Bee-oynce, Honey Bee Bee and Beeatrice. The hives produce anywhere from 10 to 36 gallons of raw honey per year. The resort also hosts “bee breaks” for small VIP groups where they will bring the hives in, in encased glass and will serve bites and nibbles all made with honey.

Talking Stick Resort and Casino The art collection inside Talking Stick Resort is recognized as the largest Native American collection outside of a museum.

As the property was being built they worked with a curator to accumulate the collection, 60

AB | March - April 2020

Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass The Phoenician

JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa Every morning, a Mitakuye Oyasin ritual is offered on property. The peaceful morning ritual begins with a Native American flute serenade followed by creating and burning your own sage tie and an eagle feather blessing. And every night, enjoy a complimentary tequila toast with fellow guests led by the hotel – with tequila chosen from a library of more than 150 artisan tequilas offered on property.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North As part of the resort’s many green initiatives, each of the property’s kitchens reduce food waste by implementing a program dubbed “Save the Planet – Feed the Turtles.” Through it, the culinary, stewarding and banquet teams collect kitchen-produced waste (such as fruit rinds, stems and other unused vegetable pieces) and donate them to the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary to feed their turtles and more than 400 rescued tortoises.

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GLENDALE

HEAD OUT

WEST

Visitors and residents flock to the West Valley for entertainment as former cotton fields are transformed into casinos, restaurants, ballparks and attractions

By ERIN THORBURN

T

he story of West Valley tourism once centered on residents traveling to other areas of the Valley to recreate. Downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale dominated sources of entertainment, restaurants and other tourist attractions. The tale of West Valley tourism has clearly changed.

Cities like Glendale — home to the Westgate Entertainment District, which is the mecca of West Valley entertainment options — are booming.

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With newer attractions like State 48 Funk House Brewery, Escape Westgate, Low Key Piano Bar, and Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing Bar, Westgate and other area attractions prove that the West Valley tourism boom shows no signs of slowing down.

Date at Westgate Watch a movie. Catch a hockey game. Throw an axe. Go shopping. Eat and then eat again. Westgate has everything for an all-day date, family outing, corporate retreat or single-shopper experience.

In addition to its latest arrivals, Westgate has long bolstered an impressive foundation of entertainment venues. Dave & Buster’s, Bar Louie, Buffalo Wild Wings, Yard House, McFadden’s, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Johnny Rockets, Stir Crazy Comedy Club, Just Sports, AMC Theatres — not too mention Gila River Arena, home to the Arizona Coyotes — are a sampling of what fortifies Westgate as a major tourism spot and economic driver for the region and state.

“Now is the perfect time for a spotlight on the Westgate Entertainment District,” says Danielle Dutsch, administrator for Visit Glendale. “Just recently, the District reached 100 percent occupancy for the first time since its 2006 opening. And, there is plenty more room to grow on 70 acres as YAM Properties continues to expand the complex, working to develop new and exciting shops along Glendale Avenue.”

“Westgate is an iconic property and its location, on the doorstep of Gila River Arena and State Farm Stadium, makes it a true entertainment destination,” adds Dan Dahl, director of real estate for YAM Properties. “Westgate is home to more than 50 tenants, offering a mix of dining, entertainment, retail and personal services. Additionally, the center includes a luxury apartment community.”

To help accommodate the West Valley’s growing hospitality demand, Glendale will soon see the arrival of several new hotels.

“These additions should boost overall hotel visits and revenue generated through the bed tax,” Dutsch says. “The city had just 400 beds when State Farm Stadium, formerly the University of Phoenix Stadium, opened 11 years ago. Today, Glendale has 1,695 guest rooms with more in the pipeline. When capacity is met by larger groups hosting events in Glendale, neighboring West Valley hotels benefit from the overflow.”

Scoop on the Loop (101) “The Loop 101 corridor has been shaping up as a prime location for the West Valley’s entertainment options for more than a AB | March - April 2020 63

GLENDALE

Bridget Binsbacher

Ahron Cohen

Dan Dahl

decade,” says Sintra Hoffman, president and CEO of WESTMARC. “With Topgolf, Desert Diamond Casino West Valley and new amenities coming to that central area, it’s evident why the West Valley is the place to recreate.”

In addition to Topgolf, Desert Diamond Casino, State Farm Stadium, Gila River Arena, and Arrowhead Mall, dozens of hotels dot the Loop 101. And while West Valley residents, as well as other Valley visitors, flock to these tourism destinations, local business owners are quick to share their geographic gratitude.

“Topgolf has so enjoyed being part of the Glendale community,” says Morgan Schaaf, communications manager for Topgolf Entertainment Group. “The West Valley is booming because of the expanding commercial development, as well as the real estate opportunities available. In recent years, sports, entertainment, arts and culture, events and venues have come to the region, making it one of the top destinations in Phoenix and throughout Arizona.”

Root for the home teams Fueling the hot tourism industry in the West Valley is sports.

The Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Coyotes, Phoenix Raceway (host to two NASCAR weekends each year) and nine Cactus League baseball teams all call the West Valley “home.”

“The Coyotes have played in Glendale since 2003 and have developed strong partnerships with the West Valley business community,” says Ahron Cohen, president and CEO of the Phoenix Coyotes. “One of the core pillars of our organization is to positively enrich our community and we are proud of our efforts over the past 17 years.”

Together, the West Valley’s home teams beckon residents and visitors from near and far, amassing a robust economic impact to the region and beyond.

“A 2018 ASU study found that the Cactus League generated $644 million in economic impact,” says Bridget Binsbacher, executive director of the Cactus League Baseball Association. “The report did not list specific spending in the West Valley, but it’s clear that impact is felt across the Valley.”

Binsbacher emphasizes that six out of 10 Cactus League game attendees come from out of state, so with an attendance of nearly 1.8 million, that’s a lot of tourism dollars coming into the state each Cactus League season.

“The West Valley is filled with out-of-town visitors watching spring-training baseball,” Dutsch says. “But Glendale sustains that momentum and goes beyond spring training with huge tourist draws to Gila River Arena, home of the Coyotes, as well as 64

AB | March - April 2020

Sintra Hoffman

Morgan Schaaf

State Farm Stadium, which hosts the Fiesta Bowl each year and has also hosted the NCAA men’s college basketball Final Four and the NFL’s Super Bowl.”

In 2017, a study completed by the Seidman Research Institute at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University demonstrated a $1.3 billion in economic impact, from four marquee events alone.

Diamond opportunities Much West Valley tourism talk as of late, has centered on its newest casino.

“The opening of Desert Diamond West Valley Casino will truly tip the scale with new entertainment and dining options for this region,” Hoffman says. “This project has been in the works for many years and we’re thankful for the commitment, dedication and tenacity of the Tohono O’odham Nation’s tribal leadership, who stayed the course to make this happen. From an economic development perspective, the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley just added an incredible amenity to the region that will also serve as a business attraction asset.”

The $400 million project, which broke ground in December 2017, includes a 75,000-square-foot casino floor with Class III slot machines, poker and blackjack tables, live bingo, and five restaurants. And, has availed upwards of 3,000 local job opportunities.

Looking ahead When anticipating the future of West Valley tourism, it’s important to remember that the latest research reveals that upwards of 1.6 million people live in the 15 communities that make up the West Valley. Additionally, upwards of 43 percent of the growth in Maricopa County within the next 25 years will take place in this area, according to WESTMARC. It’s not only safe to say that economic impact and employment opportunities will continue to skyrocket, but more and more entertainment, dining, sports and recreation hot spots will make a home in the West Valley.

“With additional annual events that bring tourists to Glendale, such as the Mecum Auto Auction, new experiential attractions, updated and innovative hotels on the horizon, and groundbreaking restaurants, there’s no stopping Glendale and Arizona’s West Valley from becoming one of the most sought-after destinations for business and leisure travel,” Dutsch says.

THE

INNOVATIVE

EVOLUTION OF THE EAST VALLEY [ 2020 ]

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EAST VALLEY PARTNERSHIP

INNOVATIVE HOTSPOTS Technology companies flock to the East Valley for its talented workforce, room to grow, and an optimal regulatory and tax environment

By ERIN THORBURN

M

esa, Chandler and Gilbert were once viewed as sleepy bedroom communities. Today, they’re evolving into cutting-edge hubs of innovation and home to some of the most forward-thinking technology companies in the nation.

Tempe, once seen as a raucous college town, is now the place many Silicon Valley companies — including DoorDash, Opendoor, NortonLifeLock, and Silicon valley Bank. And Scottsdale, once a premier vacationing spot for golfers, is the preferred destination for cybersecurity companies, bioscience innovators and telehealth game-changers.

Collectively, the cities and towns that comprise the East Valley are helping bolster Arizona’s position as a leading technology hub. The East Valley helped Arizona land among the top five states for the number of new technology businesses added between 2017 and 2018. With national industry leaders such as Intel, Northrop Grumman, Amkor Technology, Keap, JDA Software, Insight, Boeing, GoDaddy, PayPal, Honeywell, Waymo, the GM Innovation Center, and Microchip calling the region home, it’s clear that the East Valley has evolved from being the ‘burbs to becoming Arizona’s technology-industry oasis.

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Mirage to oasis The East Valley has a long tradition of commitment when it comes to establishing and maintaining collaborative goals.

For decades, many East Valley cities and towns prospered from farming. In Mesa, more than 50 percent of its residents earned their living from farming in the 1960s. Similarly, the legacies of Chandler and Gilbert remained solid as top cotton producers until after World War II. Fast-forward a decade or two and the East Valley applied its tenacity toward a new goal.

“The East Valley Partnership was formed almost 40 years ago when a group of business leaders got together and decided that we had a different value proposition than the City of Phoenix,” says Denny Barney, president and CEO of East Valley Partnership. “While we are part of Greater Phoenix, we have a different story to tell. Initially, the focus was on transportation and jobs.”

Now, Barney points out, almost four decades later, “Our focus is still transportation and jobs,” he says.

“Ultimately, the mission of the East Valley Partnership should be unified around this very focus and what is being done to attract transportation and jobs,” Barney adds.

With a clear intention set and focused on the East Valley’s growth, the result of East

INTEL

BY THE NUMBERS 40

years in Arizona

12,000

Arizona employees

$8.3 billion

annual economic impact

$23 billion

in capital investments

$4.5 billion

annual spend with Arizonabased organizations

690 million

gallons of water restored annually through community-based projects

$35 million

in charitable giving since 2014 to local schools and nonprofits

More than 750,000

employee volunteer hours at Arizona schools and nonprofits since 2014 AB | March - April 2020 69

EAST VALLEY PARTNERSHIP Valley Partnership’s efforts has been rising populations, an increase in skilled talent, higher-wage jobs, and a lucrative quality of life for all. The secondary outcome has been a boom in the technology sector, which only promises to continue.

In terms of general growth, Gilbert is projected for a full build-out by 2030, with an anticipated population of more than 300,000 residents. To put that in perspective, less than 20 years ago, the town’s population was barely 100,000.

And companies who make their home in East Valley cities — Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, etc. — have access to a workforce of more than 1 million people within a 30-minute commute.

Together, all East Valley towns and cities house 1.3 million residents have an average median age of 34.98 — four years younger than the national average — and boast higher educational attainment.

“Chandler has long prioritized the preservation of land capable of accommodating technology-related industries,” says Kevin Hartke, mayor of Chandler, “and aggressively recruited them and supported their expansion, while also supporting our education partners to produce the best workforce.”

Denny Barney

Kevin Hartke

annual economic impact of $8.3 billion.”

Intel’s four-decade presence helps to illustrate the slow — but potent — burn of technology-industry expansion in the East Valley.

“It truly is a boom, but ironically, it’s been going on for a while,” Barney says.

“You had these sleeping giants that people didn’t know about —Intel and Boeing. Now, add to that Deloitte, which is contributing more than $40 billion in revenue just from services.”

Fueling the smaller giants It’s not only the giants who have helped usher the East Valley into tech oasis status, nor is it the sole goal of the East Valley’s economic strategy to attract large technology-driven companies. Startups are strongly welcomed and encouraged to set Micah Miranda Liz Shipley up shop as well. And, they can even get a leg up doing so with the aid of the Phoenix East Valley who are currently contributing East Valley Angel Investor Initiative. to its dynamic ecosystem of educational The collaborative effort of East Valley opportunities, while also building a talent communities, Arizona Tech Investors, and pipeline for the region’s future.

East Valley Partnership encourages techAnother crucial caveat to attracting based entrepreneurs to take advantage and growing more technology in the East of capital investments starting anywhere Valley is being able to offer examples of from $5,000 upwards to help grow their existing companies who have achieved business. success in the region. Consider that “The goal of the Phoenix East Valley The right stuff box checked — there is no shortage of Angel Investor Initiative is to fuel tech “If we have the right type of jobs and can examples to share. sector growth by identifying, educating move people around effectively,” Barney One of many tech-industry success and activating potential angel investors adds, “we’re going to have great education stories for the East Valley is Intel. living in our region,” says Micah Miranda, infrastructure.”

Preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary, economic development director for the And the East Valley does have a viable the Chandler Intel manufacturing facility City of Chandler. “The critical earlyand expanding education infrastructure, was first established in 1980. stage funding and support provided by especially when it comes to supporting “There were many factors that these angel investors will help Phoenix technology companies. Post-secondary contributed to the decision to locate East Valley startups commercialize new educational opportunities include the to the East Valley from our California technologies, create quality jobs and grow University of Advancing Technology, headquarters,” says Liz Shipley, public to become industry leaders.”

Arizona State University, and Maricopa affairs director of Arizona and Latin Community Colleges. And the East Valley America, global public affairs and Seeing is believing Institute of Technology, allows highsustainability for Intel Corporation.

“There are literally tens of thousands of schoolers to wet their technology appetites Among them, according to Shipley were locations companies can choose to locate,” by offering a technological education the presence of a skilled workforce and says Hartke. “The fact these industry curriculum to Mesa Unified School District availability of natural resources. leaders keep investing in the East Valley students.

“Since then, Intel has expanded its is proof that we can supply them with all “The reality is that jobs in the new operations and we’re producing some of the business inputs they need to operate economy require the right kind of the world’s most advanced technology competitively and on a global scale.” workforce,” Barney says, “and we have ASU right here in the East Valley,” Shipley says.

“The East Valley has the right kind of in our own backyard that’s put out more “Today, we employ more than 12,000 of the infrastructure and right regulatory and tax engineers than any university in the world.” best and brightest Arizonans, spend more environment to attract technology-driven And that talent keeps coming. There are than $4 billion each year with Arizonacompanies,” Barney adds, “and we are more than 120,000 college students in the based organizations, and have a statewide finally getting the attention we deserve.”

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IN THE Here’s how the ASU Polytechnic Campus Innovation Zone could be a game-changer for the East Valley

By ERIN THORBURN

S

teve Jobs once said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

Arizona State University has emerged as a leader in research and innovation — U.S. News and World Report has ranked ASU as the most innovative university in the nation for five straight years. More recently, SkyBridge’s under-construction air cargo customs facility and the PhoenixMesa Gateway Airport corridor — chockfull of aerospace, technology, and advanced manufacturing — has helped the East Valley emerge as a leader in innovation.

So what happens when multiple forces of East Valley innovation collide? They create the ASU Polytechnic Campus Innovation Zone.

Situated moments from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and SkyBridge, the United States’ only inland international air logistics and joint U.S.-Mexico Customs processing hub, the Innovation Zone is designed to meet the needs for businesses’ tech-transfer, advanced solutions, transportation and logistics needs.

On paper, the Innovation Zone has the potential to become a hub of innovation. Here are other advantages of being in the zone: • It’s the future home of the ASU Polytechnic Research Park that will

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specialize in hands-on exploration of innovative solutions in aviation, alternate energy, human-technology integration, comprehensive commercial printing and design services, and on-demand digital manufacturing.

• The Polytechnic campus is home to the Polytechnic School, one of the six schools comprising ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the largest engineering school in the country, so tech companies have access to a sizable presence of engineering students who are being trained at the largest engineering school in the nation.

• There is access to advanced research — from expandable drones and flexible robotics to metal 3D printing.

There is access to the Fiber Optic Telecommunications Network as many areas of the Mesa-Gateway area provide redundant lit and dark telecom fiber.

• The zone is adjacent to the PhoenixMesa Gateway Airport and proximate to the Eastmark mixed-use development.

Of course, the bigger picture of this partnership is more complex. The Innovation Zone project has the potential to help turn the entire state of Arizona into the premier hotspot for technology, aerospace, and engineering startups and existing industry front-runners. Perhaps

even more exciting is the potential to attract and foster businesses still in their innovative gestation.

And beyond innovation, there’s that bit about prolific business growth, thriving employment opportunities and a robust economic impact.

Now is the time. The East Valley is the destination. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway is the place. All innovators are invited.

The fellowship of the thought leaders In J. R. R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” it took a fellowship of brave, dynamic thinkers to accomplish a fantastic feat.

While the Innovation Zone project doesn’t come with quite the same degree of risk (as a firey eye-ball demon in the sky), it’s still an undertaking that requires collective tenacity and forward-thinking.

“ASU is a comprehensive public research university, advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves,” says Duane Roen, vice provost for ASU’s Polytechnic campus and dean of the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. “We see the Polytechnic Campus’ Innovation Zone and Research Park as a key site for driving innovation and

ZONE of our capacity to bring innovation, entrepreneurship and corporate partnerships together to yield broad and enduring benefits,” says Michael Crow, president of ASU. “ASU’s Innovation Zones focus equally on bringing value, opportunity and economic well-being to the communities we serve.”

Logistically, the total square footage of buildings on the Tempe Campus comprises 2.216 million square feet across 26 buildings.

The Mesa-Gateway Innovation Zone has 300 acres of developable land on the ASU Polytechnic campus’ south side; and several more acres, according to O’Neill, on the land adjacent to Mesa-Gateway Airport.

When Heidi Kimball, senior vice president of Sunbelt Holdings first became involved with the ASU Research Park in Tempe in 1992, there were four tenants.

“Now, we have two parcels left to lease,” Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery Naturally, as the Innovation Zone and Kimball says. “One is 5.5 acres, the other is 16.5 acres and is the premier centerpiece in Research Park gain traction, many will the Park.” compare it with the ASU Research Park in Tempe. Both those involved with Tempe’s In terms of economic yield, an economic ASU Research Park and those proponents impact study released by the L. William of Mesa-Gateway’s Innovation Zone see Seidman Research Institute at the W. P. the comparison and similarity on the Carey School of Business in 2016 revealed models as purely positive. that ASU Research Park tenants — at the time — generated 16,160 jobs for Arizona “The ASU Research Park in Tempe residents, provided labor income of $865 and SkySong and the ASU-Scottsdale Innovation Center are two strong examples million for Arizona workers, and was

economic development in the East Valley and beyond.”

“ASU has been a long-time partner of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway,” adds J. Brian O’Neill, executive director and CEO of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.

“We’ve worked on several projects together in the past. Strengthening that relationship will not only benefit ASU and PhoenixMesa Gateway, but it will also benefit the economy of the entire East Valley.”

In addition to the collaborative efforts of ASU Polytechnic and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, ASU is working closely with East Valley Partnership, East Valley city leaders, East Valley chambers of commerce and other organizations and institutions to fuel economic development, according to Roen.

responsible for $1.418 billion of the total income generated in the state.

“ASU Research Park operations provides funding of approximately $3.5 million to ASU,” Kimball adds, “and that will increase to nearly $5 million after 2021.”

With the ASU Research Park in Tempe taking more than three decades to gain critical mass since its groundbreaking in 1984, can we expect the same timeline in terms of build-out, leasing, and economic success in the East Valley?

“It will take a little bit of time to thoughtfully plan as far as what businesses will go in,” explains Mike Hutchinson, vice president of East Valley Partnership.

“But, master-planning has been taking place over the past couple years, closely examining what the infrastructure needs — for adding water, wastewater and road improvements. It’s vacant land today but it’s got great potential.”

Coming Into Its Own For all the similarities between the ASU Research Park in Tempe and the ASU Polytechnic Campus Innovation Zone, it’s important to remember that the Polytechnic Campus project will have its own clear distinctions.

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Michael Crow

Mike Hutchinson

close proximity (a five-minute walk) to the assets offered by ASU’s Polytechnic campus,” Roen says.

These advantages include the availability of 100 academic programs, with more than 5,000 students who study on campus, and thousands more who are enrolled in online programs offered by Polytechnic faculty. This includes the five colleges: Fulton Schools of Engineering, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, W.P. Carey School of Business, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, and the School of Sustainability.

Another important difference: There are new and exciting companies, businesses, industries and innovation taking place now, that didn’t exist in 1984.

“Tenants will be companies whose work aligns with that being done at the campus, such as robotics, agribusiness and advanced manufacturing,” Crow says.

“Although this zone will become a nexus of forward-thinking companies that use the latest technology to generate output that will shape our future, it will also recognize our past and sense of place through areas set aside to preserve the campus’ military history and honor Native American culture.”

Of course, the area near the Polytechnic campus is well underway as a growth magnet of economic expansion. The same goes for serving as a technology and innovation hotspot. For example, Apple recently opened a 1.3 million-square-foot global command center on Elliot Road, northeast of the campus.

On Ray Road, northeast of the campus, a host of manufacturing companies have launched their operations. West of the campus, Verde at Cooley Station recently broke ground, Roen says.

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Heidi Kimball

J. Brian O’Neill

ACCESS TO ASSETS

Businesses considering the ASU Polytechnic Innovation Zone would have access to these regional assets: • Located in Mesa’s booming Gateway region • SkyBridge Arizona, located at Gateway Airport, is the nation’s first and only joint air cargo hub to house both U.S. and Mexican customs agents. The $230 million project is also projected to add 6,400 direct jobs and 8,400 indirect jobs, as well as increase 2,000 cargo flights per year, reaching 10,000 by 2036.

• The Mesa Gateway area hosts worldclass players including Embraer, Cessna, Able Aerospace Services, Aerocircular and Constant Aviation.

• Other nearby tech-centric companies include Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, the Cognitive Engineering Research Institute, Bridgestone Biorubber Process Research Center, Apple’s global command center, and EdgeCore’s data center campus.

• Manufacturing neighbors include CMC Steel, FUJIFILM, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, ZF TRW, CRM Rubber, Matheson Tri-Gas and Niagara Bottling.

• E xtensive infrastructure includes electric power – provided by Salt River Project, robust and reliable within the Mesa Gateway area to handle large business capacities. Natural gas provided by Southwest Gas within the Mesa Gateway area.

• Labor force of approximately 700,000 within a 20-minute commute.

Duane Roen

hub of economic activity, serving about 1.5 million passengers last year and more projected for this year. Not to mention three 10,000-foot runways, according to O’Neill.

“Think about emerging technology companies that operate unmanned aircraft,” O’Neill says. “A business in this situation could certainly benefit from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway and ASU partnership. There’s a lot of developable land in the East Valley, but when you consider our land and ASU’s land, it becomes a unique selling proposition. We are both looking to develop that land to its highest and best use.”

All in alignment One thing for which all thought leaders agree when shaping the future of the Innovation Zone, is remaining highly strategic.

“The benefit is that we’re not putting all our eggs in one basket,” O’Neill says. “We are pursuing many different segments of the aviation industry, as well as other industries, because there’s a natural fit.

ASU is doing the same. Together, we are committed to finding these niche opportunities to provide a solution that will be unique to certain industries and markets.”

“Successful corporations need a combination of top talent, cutting-edge innovation, economic opportunity and a high quality of life to help their operations thrive,” Crow says. “The ASU Polytechnic Innovation Zone integrates all of these facets into a single, fast-growing location capable of attracting 21st-century businesses interested in new solutions.”

And, to sum it up, Crow states it perfectly: “We have the people, the ideas and the experience to draw employers to these zones.”

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A CENTENNIAL OF TRANSFORMATION Gilbert combines the charm of a small town with the forward-thinking boldness that cultivates big-city economic growth

By ERIN THORBURN

W

hen someone celebrates a milestone birthday, it’s not unusual to hear phrases like, “Wow, she really looks good for her age,” or, “So-and-so has really come a long way from when I first met him.” This year, as Gilbert celebrates its 100th birthday, anyone who knew the town “way back when” would likely agree that both previously mentioned comments are applicable. After all, once referred to as the “Hay Capital of the World,” Gilbert has evolved into a cutting-edge center of innovation over its first 100 years.

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From plenty of hay to Gilbert today “When one looks back, it’s unavoidable to view Gilbert as a farm community,” says Richard Morrison, water law attorney and co-founder of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, “although it’s certainly not perceived that way now.”

Morrison knows Gilbert’s history intimately. Both sides of his family were farmers who migrated to the town specifically for its agriculture properties during Gilbert’s early days.

“With the building of the Roosevelt Dam, people knew there would be a reliable

source of irrigation and an abundant source of water from the Salt and Verde rivers,” Morrison says.

And yes, of course, there was the hay.

“Gilbert had more hay shipments during the 1920s and 1930s than any other place in the world,” Morrison adds.

Gilbert’s humble beginnings shifted in agricultural focus after World War II, when baby boom farmers faced the challenges in farming by beginning to integrate horizontal and vertical farming.

“Rather than just growing alfalfa, farmers would also expand feedlots,”

Since then, Gilbert has become a progressive, vibrant community with a current population of about of 266,971 residents (which doubled every five years from 1980-2000). By 2030, Gilbert is expected to be fully built out, with an anticipated population of over 300,000.

While Gilbert is growing to be one of the largest municipalities in Arizona, the community remains youthful and vibrant. With a median age of 33.8 and 67.6 percent of the population under the age of 45, Gilbert provides an abundant pipeline of talent to support the growth of business and industry.

HOT SPOT: The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry named the Town of Gilbert the “Best City for Business” in 2019.

(Photo by Mike Mertes, AZ Big Media)

Morrison explains. “Horizontally, they would start dairies or buy cattle ranches. This helped greatly diversify production and commodities to give rise to the farmers’ ability to withstand the economic obstacles of the time.”

It wasn’t until around 1965, according to Morrison, that Gilbert’s first subdivision was established. And although the arrival of a subdivision wasn’t considered an impediment to farming (by-and-large), it did trigger many farmers to evaluate whether it was time for them to sell.

“There was a little anti-growth mentality then, but the coming of the Superstition Freeway was the impetus for significant growth,” Morrison says.

Around 1970, Gilbert experienced a shift toward becoming the progressive town it is today. The Gilbert Town Council annexed 53 square miles of country land, preparing to mimic the growth they were witnessing in nearby Tempe, Mesa and Chandler — despite a mere 1,971 residents at the time. And it was wise they did so.

Still got that town charm “Gilbert is currently the largest town in the United States,” Morrison says.

“Many times, people have questioned why Gilbert hasn’t transitioned to a city form of government. But, town leaders consistently say no — ‘we want it to be an open, friendly, welcoming atmosphere — we are going to remain a town.’”

Maintaining its town status has not prevented Gilbert from accomplishing its economic development goals. If anything, the town’s mission statement perfectly encapsulates the way Gilbert does business and why it works: “Anticipate. Create. Help people.”

“Our culture reflects our shared values, beliefs and practices, and that we are committed to being driven, kind, bold and humble,” says Jenn Daniels, mayor of Gilbert.

Gilbert may be humble, but on paper, the community has much to offer residents and companies seeking a viable and innovative location, starting with a talented workforce: 70 percent of technology employees, 60 percent of healthcare workers, 73 percent of engineers and 67 percent of the Metro Phoenix’s advanced business services workforce reside within a 30-minute commute from Gilbert.

“Gilbert was a logical choice for relocating our world headquarters,” says Jim Coover, co-founder and chairman of Isagenix International. “It was in close proximity to our former location, we have a significant number of our employees who have made Gilbert their home, and we love the family values shared by the community. The town has proved to be a great place for our AB | March - April 2020 79

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Jim Coover

Jenn Daniels

company, as it’s given Isagenix visibility within the community, which has led to valuable partnerships with local business groups and nonprofit organizations.”

Gilbert is also conveniently served by two freeways — the US 60 (Superstition Freeway) and Loop 202 (SanTan Freeway) — and lies within close proximity to two international airports — PhoenixMesa Gateway and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We have a commitment to preserving land throughout Gilbert to support job growth and ensure fiscal sustainability,” Daniels says. “In 2019, Gilbert was awarded the Best City for Business in Arizona by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, due to its commitment to supporting local businesses, driving economic development, reducing regulatory burdens on businesses and working with the business community.”

Sign of success A perfect example of Gilbert’s dedication to nurturing local businesses can be found in Deloitte. With its local roots dating back to 1961, Deloitte has opened a 200,000-square-foot U.S. Delivery Center at Rivulon in Gilbert. When complete, the center will bring more than 2,500 jobs to Gilbert and will operate as a technology operations delivery center that will help Deloitte drive its technology solutions to clients in Arizona and across the nation, says Jonas McCormick, Greater Phoenix managing principal at Deloitte Consulting.

“Gilbert is the perfect home for Deloitte as there are a multitude of opportunities for synergy between the world class organization and this community,” Daniels says. “With the creation of these highwage, tech-focused jobs, Deloitte will be one of the largest employers in Gilbert.

This will not just benefit those in Gilbert but all of the Phoenix-metro area.”

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Matt Even

Jonas McCormick Richard Morrison

positions that will work on the development and management of many technology solutions in the cloud, AI and more.

“Since 1961, Deloitte has been a part of the Greater Phoenix community so we were already well aware of the thriving talent pool in Arizona,” says Matt Even, managing director of Deloitte Consulting.

“When we decided to open our Gilbert facility and now expand that facility, we took a close look at the long-term economics, available sites and a number of other key factors. Additionally, the Arizona Commerce Authority and the town of Gilbert — and specifically Mayor Jenn Daniels’ office — were very supportive and helpful in this process and we appreciate their efforts and support of our decision to grow our presence here.”

In addition to Deloitte, Gilbert is home to Northrop Grumman, GoDaddy, Isagenix International, Affinitas Corp., Morgan Stanley, Amerifirst Financial, Merrill Lynch and many additional notable and growing companies. Gilbert also has more than 2 million square feet of hospital and clinical research facilities, including Banner M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the Ironwood Cancer Research Center; Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, Banner Gateway Medical Center and Gilbert Hospital.

Currently, there is more than 650,000 square feet of medical or healthcare space under construction or planned in Gilbert.

Fostering future growth While Gilbert’s economic expansion continues in the development of existing and new businesses from a variety of industries, the town has the added benefit of a solid education infrastructure — an education system that promises to propel an already flourishing pipeline of skilled workers.

“Gilbert’s commitment to education has made us a destination for the top public, private and charter schools,” says Daniels.

“In 2019, three school districts located in Gilbert were named among the Top 10 School Districts in Arizona — Chandler Unified School District, Gilbert Public School District and Higley Unified School District.”

Park University, the University of Arizona College of Nursing, (which began its first semester of college courses in 2019), and STEM programs at Arizona State University and Chandler-Gilbert Community College are among Gilbert’s post-secondary opportunities.

Next 100 years Daniels’ efforts have not gone unnoticed. CTIA, the wireless industry association, presented Daniels with its 5G Wireless Champion Award, honoring her focus on infrastructure modernization that will bring new investment to the Gilbert community. The award recognized Daniels’ leadership in making Gilbert the first community in Arizona to streamline the ability of wireless companies to deploy small cells – next-generation 5G wireless infrastructure – in accordance with Arizona House Bill 2365.

“The Town of Gilbert’s leadership has been focused on a long-term vision of our future, which has included investments in land acquisition, creating a pro-business environment and creating modernized infrastructure — roads, sewer and water systems,” Daniels says. “In addition, we have increased transparency within the Gilbert community by unveiling Alex, an open data portal, that gives information such as trends, statistics about Gilbert’s safety, growth, development, finance, transportation and more.”

If the last 100 years is any indication of the future possibilities Gilbert has in terms of maturation and milestones — across the board — great things are yet to come.

You’ve come a long way, Gilbert.

Happy birthday.

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EAST VALLEY FUELS ARIZONA’S

TECHNOLOGY

BOOM

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M

aricopa County continues to be the fastest-growing county in the nation for population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Many leaders in the area have pointed to our technology ecosystem as the key catalyst for this growth. As a state, we are outpacing some of the nation’s largest technology hubs for tech-based job creation and are among the leaders in the Southwest in technology wages. And this may surprise you: For the first time in Arizona’s history, there are more manufacturing jobs than construction.

A large reason for Arizona’s growth in the technology sector can be attributed to the East Valley. Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Gil-

bert are home to some of the most prominent technology companies in the world, a thriving startup ecosystem and some of the nation’s top post-secondary and high school educational institutions for STEM. While the East Valley has historically been a longtime base for large technology companies such as Motorola and Intel, the growth of talent and innovation began to explode when it became one of the first regions in the Southwest to embrace entrepreneurial infrastructure like accelerators, co-working spaces and incubators through organizations like Gangplank and Tech Shop. Around the same time, Arizona State University (ASU) began to bolster its

Steven G. Zylstra Technology

engineering and entrepreneurial education programs in Tempe and Mesa.

The East Valley’s commitment to building talent, improving STEM education and cultivating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem helped attract companies like Apple and Google. And long-standing technology giants like Boeing have continued to grow and flourish.

Today, the East Valley plays host to more and more companies in high-tech industries such as aerospace, semiconductor, data centers, advanced manufacturing and, most recently, autonomous vehicles. It’s also home to one of the world’s most prolific technology corridors, which is located along the Loop 101. Over the years, the region has attracted renowned brands such as Amkor Technology, Microchip, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Benchmark, Local Motors and Keap (formerly known as Infusionsoft).

The startup ecosystem in the East Valley has never been stronger. Some of the most prestigious startups in Arizona’s portfolio

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were born or have grown in the region, including Offerpad in Chandler, eVisit in Mesa and Carvana in Tempe. Many of these startups were launched by local entrepreneurs or moved to the East Valley to take advantage of its startup resources, low cost of living and growing talent pool.

Arizona has also become well-known for being the center of development, manufacturing and testing for autonomous vehicles, one of the nation’s fast-growing sectors.

The buy-in from all levels of government in the state has enticed companies like Waymo, General Motors, Uber and Israel-based Imagry to the East Valley. Intel also has significant autonomous vehicle operations here. The addition of these companies has played a significant role in attracting more companies and talent to support and develop Internet of Things, sensor and smart city innovations.

In addition to the startups and large technology giants, the East Valley has attracted numerous data centers like CyrusOne and Digital Realty Trust, and the ASU Research Park has filled out its office space

with high-tech companies like Iridium, KinetX and PADT. The presence of these companies adds to the region’s already diversified technology sector.

ASU has been a significant contributor to educating and building a robust STEM and entrepreneurial atmosphere for students and young professionals. The ASU-Draper University Entrepreneurship Incubator Program, ASU Polytechnic, InnovationSpace and the School for the Future of Innovation in Society are examples of the university’s commitment to cultivating a strong technology base in the community.

Tempe is also home to the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), a school at the forefront of developing academic programs in critical fields such as network security, robotics, embedded systems and game development. Many of its students have gone on to start their own companies or were recruited by some of the top technology firms in the Valley.

In addition to ASU and UAT, K-12 schools such as the Self Development Acad-

emy and the East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, BASIS Chandler, and Gilbert Classical Academy will help fill the pipeline of talent for years to come.

The East Valley’s technology-conscious leaders and organizations have created an energetic atmosphere of innovation and prosperity, as well as the infrastructure, talent pool and educational institutions required to sustain success. With its continued focus on building the technology community, the East Valley is well-equipped to attract large technology companies and support entrepreneurial growth.

Steven G. Zylstra, Sc.D. (Hon.), serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, where he’s responsible for strategy, operations and accomplishment of policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value that technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona. He has served in numerous technology advisory roles to Arizona governors and currently serves on several association, industry and community boards.

INNOVATION ATTRACTION: ASU Research Park has filled out its office space with high-tech companies like Iridium, KinetX and PADT. 84

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Mesa’s Falcon Field airport soars with economic impact

By BEN NORMAN

P

hoenix Sky Harbor is often recognized as one of foot hangar expansion, which will allow the airport to the busiest commercial airports in the nation more flexibly customize hangars to various customers’ and world, but Arizona is home to another major requests. These hangars include fiber, cables, swamp aviation hub: the City of Mesa’s Falcon Field. coolers, and fans that the original infrastructure didn’t With more than 300,000 departures and arrivals include. In addition, their expansion plan includes a annually, Falcon Field is the fifth-busiest general 5,600 square-foot corporate hangar and an additional aviation airport in the nation. In other words, it is 8,300 square feet currently awaiting approval by city one of the most popular air harbors for private and officials. recreational flying.

“We had (the investor and development teams) This traffic directly translates into billions of dollars talk with the Arizona Commerce Authority and the in economic impact. According to a report published by Lynn Spencer Greater Phoenix Economic Council,” Spencer said. “We Falcon Field, the airport generates roughly $6.8 billion talked about our national and statewide aviation and annually. This includes approximately $811 million in aerospace attraction efforts, and from that and the conversations direct employee benefits, such as salaries for companies based at they had with various corporate jet-owners as well as businesses, the airport and suppliers of these companies. manufacturing businesses, and other support businesses, they “We’re starting to see an increase in our corporate jet traffic,” identified a need for an additional 50,000 square feet of hangars.”

Falcon Field Economic Development Project Manager Lynn Falcon Field communications specialist Dee Ann Thomas Spencer said. “We historically were general aviation with a lot emphasizes that notwithstanding their current expansion efforts, of recreation fliers. Of course, we have CAE (Oxford Aviation Falcon Field is still open for business. In fact, the airport still has Academy) which is our largest business operation — it’s our 40 acres available for development. They are able to tailor hangars commercial flight training school. At one point, they were over 50 for leisurely travel, business fliers and more. As Arizona continues percent of our operation, so it’s a lot of flight training. We are also to become an increasingly popular tourism destination, this could very much a helicopter training airport. Obviously, we don’t have be a solid option for many travelers. commercial, but it’s a very big mix between the business corporate “Another bit of expansion we’re seeing is the desire of people traveler to the training.” trying to build their own kinds of hangars,” Thomas said.

The airport by itself supplies 1,486 jobs, which directly “We’re starting to see some recreational travel from people that translates to an economic output of almost $435 million. Looking own their own planes coming in primarily during the winter time — forward, Falcon Field plans on expanding and increasing its you see a lot of people that come in for spring training and the winter economic impact. In 2017, the airport housed 719 planes. In the season, so you do see that increase in traffic,” Spencer said. near future, that number is expected to eclipse 1,000.

One of their largest development projects is a 340,000 squareThis story was originally published by Chamber Business News.

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