AZBusiness September/October 2020

CONNECT » GUIDE » INSPIRE

SEPTEMBER // OCTOBER 2020

Most $4.95

2020 TECHNOLOGY

14

MEETING PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL

36

MOST ADMIRED COMPANIES

49

AZ BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

FROM LEFT: Elizabeth Hart, Axon; Naomi Cramer, Banner Health; Mike Brown, WaFd Bank; Jackie Hunter, Banner Health; Dan Puente, DP Electric; and Micheline Faver, Voya.

81

Table of Contents 6

Trendsetters

12

Leadership Profile

14

Technology

24

Banking

28

Law

32

Marketing

34

Dining

36

Meeting Professionals International

44

Most Influential Women

49

Most Admired Companies

81

Arizona Bioindustry

BIOSCIENCE REDEFINES ARIZONA

14

24 34

Association

At the start of 2020, I never would have believed we would be heading into a fall devoid of Pac-10 and Big Ten football. Yet, here we are.

“I think we can all agree that everything that has happened this year has been unexpected and jarring,” says Dr. Winnie Liang, director of scientific operations at TGen and one of Az Business magazine’s Most Influential Women of 2020.

“These times have been a reminder that working together and supporting one another, whether it be through your job, at home or in your community, are absolutely key towards everyone getting through difficult and challenging circumstances together.”

It’s fitting that this reminder comes from one of the most brilliant bioscience minds in Arizona because in this issue of Az Business, we take a look at the impact of life sciences in the Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio) supplement. And what an impact bioscience is having in Arizona. Consider this: • Arizona bioscience firms received nearly $200 million in venture-capital funding, and National Institutes of Health grants to universities, research institutes, and firms totaled $263 million in 2019.

• University research and development increased 25 percent between 2016 and 2018 to exceed $600 million.

• During that same two-year period, nearly 10,000 new bioscience jobs were created in Arizona and wages increased nearly nine percent, far exceeding the state’s average privatesector wage.

Considering that we are in the midst of battling the worst pandemic most of us will see in our lifetimes, it’s more than a bit comforting to know that some of the world’s most innovative minds in bioscience are breaking ground right here in Arizona.

Enjoy reading about their cutting-edge research in the AZBio section in this issue of Az Business. Stay safe.

On the cover: FROM LEFT: Elizabeth Hart, Axon; Naomi Cramer, Banner Health; Mike Brown, WaFd Bank; Jackie Hunter, Banner Health; Dan Puente, DP Electric; and Micheline Faver, Voya.

2

AB | September - October 2020

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

SHOUT-OUTS

President and CEO: Michael Atkinson

Cox donates PPE to Banner Health Cox Business donated more than $200,000 worth of filtration and surgical masks to Banner Health. As Banner Health’s frontline health care providers treat patients diagnosed with COVID-19, community partners such as Cox Business continue to show their support.

“With Arizona coronavirus cases rising in the past months, we deeply appreciate the selfless efforts and sacrifices that our hospital partners and their staff are making to meet the health care needs of our community,” said Ed Aaronson, Cox Business vice president. “This face mask donation is part of our ongoing efforts to support healthcare heroes and those in our communities during the pandemic.”

Fry’s donates $270,000 to fight food insecurity

Publisher: Amy Lindsey Vice president of operations: Audrey Webb EDITORIAL Editor in chief: Michael Gossie Associate editors: Steve Burks | Alyssa Tufts Interns: Peyton Clark | Sara Walker Contributing writers: Alison Bailin Batz | Taylor Haynes Erin Thorburn | Steven G. Zylstra ART Design director: Bruce Andersen Art director: Mike Mertes MARKETING/EVENTS Marketing & events manager: Aseret Arroyo Digital strategy manager: Gloria Del Grosso Marketing designer: Heather Barnhill OFFICE

Fry’s Food Stores has donated $270,000 to Arizona nonprofit organizations to address the urgent food needs of families struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort is part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan to end hunger in communities and eliminate waste across the Monica Garnes company by 2025.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an incredible amount of stress on families and on the nonprofit organizations trying to assist them,” said Monica Garnes, president of Fry’s Food Stores and one of Az Business magazine’s Most Influential Women of 2019. “Now more than ever, Fry’s is committed to strengthening our local communities and we hope these donations will help provide relief for Arizona families that are struggling to put food on the table.”

Special projects manager: Sara Fregapane

SRP employees volunteer close to 30,000 hours

RANKING ARIZONA

Salt River Project employees are known in the community for being some of the best, most consistent and loyal volunteers in the Valley.

Once again, SRP employees gave of their time and turned volunteer hours into much-needed funds for the nonprofit organizations they assist through the SRP Dollars for Doers program.

In 2019, 180 SRP employees volunteered 29,654 hours at 149 nonprofit agencies, which resulted in $99,500 in grants to those respective organizations.

4

AB | September - October 2020

Administrative assistant: Brandi Collins 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 EXPERIENCE ARIZONA | PLAY BALL

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.

TRENDSETTERS

to wor Zippia, which helps users discover new jobs and career paths, hand-curated a list of the best companies to work for headquartered in and around Phoenix, using data on salaries, company financial health, and employee diversity. Here are the 20 best companies to work for in Metro Phoenix, according to Zippia’s analysis.

Sparklight

(formerly Cable One) FUN FACT: The company is 40.8

percent female and 37.6 percent ethnic minorities.

Arizona Public Service (APS) FUN FACT: The average employee at APS makes $83,400 per year, which is quite competitive for its location and industry.

Pinnacle West Capital FUN FACT: It has an unusually high

Reality Executives International FUN FACT: Realty Executives is a

key player in its industry with 8,000 employees and an annual revenue of $10 billion.

LINTEC of America

proportion of employees who are members of the Republican Party, at 87.5 percent.

FUN FACT: Lintec of America sells semiconductor manufacturing related products in the United States.

Shamrock Foods

Phoenix Children’s Hospital

FUN FACT: Shamrock Foods is a key

Avnet

player in the hospitality industry with 3,995 employees and an annual revenue of $4 billion.

FUN FACT: It has an unusually high proportion of employees who are members of the Democratic Party, at 87.9 percent.

FUN FACT: The average employee at Avnet makes $83,758 per year.

Pivotal Group

DMGAZ

Western Alliance Bank FUN FACT: The bank has ranked

in the top 10 on the Forbes “Best Banks in America” list for four consecutive years.

Freeport-McMoRan FUN FACT: It has an unusually high proportion of employees who are members of the Republican Party, at 77.2 percent.

FUN FACT: The firm makes investments

in telecommunications, technology, media, aerospace, and business and financial services sectors.

PetSmart FUN FACT: The company is 56.8

percent female and 37.3 percent ethnic minorities.

EXOS FUN FACT: EXOS loves to hire

FUN FACT: The company is 47.3

graduates from Arizona State University, with 18.8 percent of its employees having attended ASU.

percent female and 44 percent ethnic minorities.

ON Semiconductor

Alliance Residential

Sprouts Farmers Market FUN FACT: Sprouts is an industry

leader with 30,000 employees and an annual revenue of $3.6 billion.

6

Phoenix o r t e M k for in

AB | September - October 2020

FUN FACT: ON Semiconductor encourages customers to reduce global energy use by providing energy efficient innovations.

FUN FACT: District Medical Group

has more than 650 doctors or providers in all health and medical specialties.

Mobile Mini FUN FACT: The company manufactures, leases, sells, and transports welded steel mobile storage containers.

Flood Control District of Maricopa County FUN FACT: It has an unusually high

proportion of employees who are members of the Democratic Party, at 85 percent.

SuperShuttle International FUN FACT: The company is 41.8 percent female and 42.2 percent ethnic minorities.

TRENDSETTERS

SURPRISING STARTS You wouldn’t expect these facts to show up on Arizona business leaders’ resumes

DENNIS DESMOND,

REBECCA LUNDBERG,

JAMES A. FASSOLD,

ALANE M. ORTEGA,

PETER FINE,

managing director, capital markets, JLL:

division president, PulteGroup:

shareholder, Tiffany & Bosco:

partner, Ortega & Ortega:

president and CEO, Banner Health:

“I was a SECRET SERVICE AGENT for eight years and protected Presidents Nixon and Ford.”

“I was a PROFESSIONAL BALLERINA at 17 years old. I was a soloist for the Moscow City Ballet in Russia.”

More than half of women have made career changes to afford childcare

“I used to be an ACTOR in several experimental theater troupes.”

“I traveled across the country playing COMPETITIVE ROLLER DERBY for several years.”

“I was a TAXI CAB DRIVER in New York for four summers.”

Care.com’s annual Cost of Care Survey found that more than half (55 percent) of women say they’ve made career/workplace changes in order to afford childcare, compared with 49 percent of men. Another startling finding: In the past year, men have seen a 22 percent increase in their employers caring about their childcare needs in 2020, while women have seen a 13 percent decrease.

Work chats: THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS With many of us now working in a home setting, instant messaging technologies are becoming the most efficient way to communicate with co-workers and supervisors. But where there are benefits to these quick chatting tools, there are also potential cons to keeping conversations online. Karen Stafford, Arizona president of Employers Council, breaks down the chatter on work chats:

CONTENT IS DISCOVERABLE

If there is a legal dispute, these chats may matter to an employer in a way they didn’t before. There are two problems with discovery.

First, it can be challenging to track down all the information. Second, there may be information you would prefer not to release.

Karen Stafford 8

AB | September - October 2020

SET A CLEAR POLICY

Advise your staff that the information on these chat devices is informal in nature, and substantive business information is not to be discussed. Check to see that employees are following this policy and document that.

PROTECT YOURSELF

Do not provide information that you would not want others to see. Do not ask questions that involve fact patterns that you are dealing with. Instead, ask more general questions.

And if you need specific legal assistance, speak with an attorney so that you have attorney-client privilege.

TRENDSETTERS

Well managed Shining the spotlight on

Arizona’s hospitality leaders

By ALISON BAILIN BATZ To say that the hospitality industry has taken a tremendous hit amid COVID-19 is an understatement. However, Arizona boasts some of the most innovative and experienced hospitality minds in the world. Here are a few.

NICK CAMPISANO

MICHAEL KINTNER General manager

General manager

PAIGE LUND

JACK MILLER

Born & Raised Hospitality

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

JW Marriott Camelback Inn

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

The Scottsdale Plaza

Tucson native Nick Campisano’s father raised him to believe in sweat equity.

“Working as the management partner for the Ak-Chin Indian Community has been one of the highlights of my professional career. And never more so than during the coronavirus pandemic,” says Kintner, who was named general manager of the casino in August. “While our property was closed, the Community ensured all our employees, tribal and non-tribal, received their payroll and benefits. Our entire team is so grateful for that commitment.”

When Lund was 13, she got a job at Country Kitchen in her native Minnesota. “From the day I walked in the door, I knew hospitality was my fate,” says Lund, who began researching college restaurant programs while in high school. “I settled on Northern Arizona University as it had similar weather and the smalltown feel of my hometown, but with a world-class School of Hotel and Restaurant Management.”

Before he began his iconic career at the Fairmont, which includes founding Christmas at the Princess and spearheading the resort’s ongoing relationship with the Waste Management Phoenix Open, back in 1979, Miller was the top-performing Holiday Inn food and beverage director nationwide. As a result, at 22 he was named the general manager of Holiday Inn San Antonio, the youngest ever to hold the position.

Sean Sachs grew up in the small farming community of Wiggins, Colo., where his mother was his sixthgrade teacher and father was his high school principal.

General manager

Though the elder Campisano is credited with helping co-found and design the Canyon Ranch Resort & Spa, for example, it didn’t mean the younger Campisano got special treatment when he applied to work there in high school, starting at the bottom as a busboy and dish washer.

Photo by Daniel Kim Photography

General manager

SEAN SACHS

Senior vice president

He enrolled at ASU and moved to Arizona in 1994.

“To give an idea of how ‘fish out of water I felt,’ my economics freshman year class had 900 people.

My hometown had about 500,” says Sachs.

READ FULL PROFILES OF THESE — PLUS OTHER — ARIZONA HOSPITALITY LEADERS AT AZBIGMEDIA.COM. 10

AB | September - October 2020

—— 2020 ——

A virtual experience celebrating this year’s Most Influential Women SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

azBIGmedia.com 602.277.6045 TITLE SPONSOR

Live Stream Sponsor

Signature Sponsors

Premier Sponsor Gift Sponsor

LEADERSHIP PROFILE

Meet Ken Udenze

‘Being in the profession for close to 30 years as an under-represented minority is no small feat’

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

I

t’s been a big year for Deloitte in Arizona.

• The company has moved into its new delivery center at The Commons at Rivulon in Gilbert, which employs more than 2,000 people.

• Deloitte finalized a lease as a top-floor tenant at 100 Mill— the tallest commercial building in the Tempe Town Lake district.

• And in June, the company named Ken Udenze as managing partner of its Arizona practice, succeeding longtime leader Jonas McCormick.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve as Arizona managing partner and look forward to expanding my experience in my new role at Deloitte,” says Udenze, who brings 28 years of experience, specializing in public- and private-company reporting matters and mergers and acquisitions transactions.

Az Business magazine talked with Udenze. Here’s what he has to say.

Az Business: How did you get your start in your industry?

Ken Udenze: I knew a few accountants and finance specialists growing up and always was curious about a career in financial services. My interest then became focused as I learned more about the services provided by major accounting and consulting firms and that is when I pivoted to a career in one of the big firms.

AB: What do you think are your best qualities as a leader?

KU: As a leader, my best qualities are remaining focused and straight to the point with my colleagues and in my work.

AB: What would people who work with you say are your best qualities as a leader?

KU: I am hardworking and strive to have others’ backs.

Additionally, I am a driver for higher performance for myself and my teammates.

AB: What have you learned in the last year that will help you become an ever better leader?

KU: In the last year, I’ve become more aware of different personalities at work and am recognizing how to navigate different working styles. This has helped me in my transition as the Arizona marketplace leader as I work with many different clients, colleagues and community organizations.

AB: What advice would you give a young person who aspires to become a leader in your industry?

KU: In the accounting industry, I would advise young professionals to have strong perseverance and motivation to

12

AB | September - October 2020

ARIZONA LEADER: Ken Udenze leads Deloitte’s Arizona practice, which has more than 500 professionals serving clients across a multitude of industries in the greater Phoenix area, with a newly opened delivery center of more than 2,000 employees in Gilbert.

work hard. Good communication and people skills can also differentiate individuals as leaders.

AB: What accomplishment gives you the most pride?

KU: Being in the profession for close to 30 years as an under-represented minority is no small feat.

AB: What are your goals as the leader for Deloitte in Arizona?

KU: As the new marketplace leader for the Arizona practice, I hope to continue our growth and eminence across the region while fostering more camaraderie and connectivity within our practice.

AI

TECHNOLOGY

THE RISE OF

Here’s how Arizona has helped pave the way for the integration of artificial intelligence in business

A

little over a year ago, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban spoke to an audience of technology leaders here in Arizona about business, technology and entrepreneurialism.

During this event, he was asked about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the modern business world. He spoke about how critical it is for organizations in both technology and traditional markets to explore, understand, and integrate AI and machine learning into business processes. His main point was that software and technology are major parts of every industry in some form or another, and AI is enhancing tools and platforms in meaningful ways.

Arizona’s technology community has understood this for many years. The state’s largest companies, as well as a wide variety of startups, are developing software and hardware solutions that have deep integrations with AI and machinelearning technology.

One of the ways Arizona is taking the lead with AI is with the autonomous vehicle industry and organizations like Waymo, TuSimple, Local Motors, Intel and Imagry. AI and machine learning are among the core technologies utilized in self-driving vehicles to help them “learn.”

The cars and trucks are regularly tested and refined on both closed and open Arizona roads. As these tests occur, the system is acquiring new information to 14

AB | September - October 2020

improve navigation and keep both drivers and pedestrians safe.

Scottsdale-based Paradox developed a recruitment and HR tool centered around Olivia, its AI platform and persona.

Olivia can handle employee care, virtual recruiting events, recruitment lead capture, interview scheduling, candidate care and even some hiring duties. The platform enables employers to efficiently hire qualified candidates in a cost-effective manner.

Another industry seeing significant growth due to AI and machine learning is digital marketing. Local companies like Digital Air Strike are using AI to enhance digital marketing campaigns for clients. ConnectAI has created an AI and machine learning software platform which automatically researches, creates and publishes relevant and engaging content to blogs and social channels like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Processes such as keyword research and ad-serving

taxes and make Arizona a great place to do business. The Council has devoted a great deal of effort to ensuring legislators work with the technology community to open the door to AI innovation.

In early 2020, the Council outlined key initiatives for AI and machine-learning acceleration in its annual Public Policy Guide. These initiatives were developed by the Council’s Public Policy Committee and included input from dozens of members in the technology community. A few of our ongoing efforts for AI and machine learning include: • Fueling AI innovation: Public policy should promote investment, make funds available for R&D, and address barriers to AI development and adoption.

Steven G. Zylstra • Addressing global societal challenges: Technology AI-powered flagship initiatives should be funded to find solutions to the world’s algorithms utilize AI to learn about greatest challenges such as curing cancer, audience likes and dislikes while delivering ensuring food security, controlling climate relevant, impactful content. change and achieving inclusive economic In the midst of COVID-19, Arizonagrowth. based startup Botco.ai led by Arizona • Allowing for experimentation: Technology Council board member Governments should create the conditions Rebecca Clyde has served its customers necessary for the controlled testing and with a robust platform that allows experimentation of AI in the real world, organizations to stay connected with such as designating self-driving test sites customers through AI-enabled chatbots. in cities.

These bots help customers via chat • Preparing a workforce for AI: applications when employees are unable to Governments should create incentives do so because they’re busy, it’s after hours for students to pursue courses of study or challenges such as COVID-19 arise. This that will allow them to create the next helps businesses in service industries to generation of AI. stay connected to their audience. As the AI • Leading by example: Governments gathers more information, it becomes more should lead the way in demonstrating intelligent and serves customers in more the applications of AI in its interactions meaningful ways. with citizens and invest sufficiently in Arizona’s expertise in AI isn’t relegated infrastructure to support and deliver AIto just software. We have an impressive based services. roster of significant players on the Innovation in AI and machine learning hardware side that includes technology is enhancing the capabilities across every giants like Intel, Benchmark and Avnet. business sector in the world. As the As AI and machine learning continue to technology continues to improve, we’ll be grow, we have the hardware engineering collecting and analyzing more data than and manufacturing expertise in our state ever before. This will lead to advancements to serve the growing demands for powerful and breakthroughs in medical care, smart processing technology and the devices, like cities, sustainability, marketing and much sensors, to capture data. more. Paraphrasing Mark Cuban in his The success in AI throughout Arizona outstanding discussion with Arizona’s can be attributed to the work of business technology community: If you’re not development groups, technology getting on board with AI today, you will be organizations and innovative leaders left behind. who have advocated and worked with our government to limit regulations on Steven G. Zylstra is president and CEO of the research and development, lower corporate Arizona Technology Council.

AB | September - October 2020 15

AI

TECHNOLOGY: TECH TALK

THE ERA OF

Here’s how artificial intelligence is impacting Arizona’s business community — and what the future may look like

18

AB | September - October 2020

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

A

rtificial intelligence does not mean pushing a button and waiting for a robot to jump out.

“When you say ‘artificial intelligence,’ some people jump to the worst possible scenario that technology and computers are going to take over the world,” says Erica Sietsma, COO at Scottsdale-based Digital Air Strike. “What they don’t realize is how many really kind of basic functions that artificial intelligence helps us with every day.”

As artificial intelligence (AI) adoption grows in Arizona, Az Business sat down with three experts from the world of technology to talk about how AI is impacting the state and what companies can do to stay ahead of the pack. Joining Sietsma in the discussion is Robert Brown, managing director of BDO Digital; and Dr. Dwight Farris, professor at Grand Canyon University.

You can see the complete video of the Tech Talk discussion at azbigmedia.com.

Az Business: How do you define artificial intelligence as it pertains to your business?

Erica Sietsma: We use artificial intelligence, but we’re not building robots or anything like that. Since we’re trying to engage with consumers, we use a myriad of different functions of artificial intelligence. We use cognitive services to digest and analyze any of the natural language communications that we’re having with consumers to give us better analysis of what the consumer really wants and their intentions. Then, we build out predictive analytics so that the next time we engage with that consumer or someone similar to that consumer, we know how to better engage on behalf of the business.

Especially now during COVID, it makes it tough to truly provide that great customer experience when everything is virtual. So we help power that and a huge part of that is leveraging artificial intelligence.

Robert Brown: At BDO, we look at artificial intelligence as really an enabling technology rather than specifically a core application. AI is very good at being trained to look at data and predict particular outcomes, particular models and ideas in terms of information and insight that wouldn’t necessarily be gleaned from a normal report. So artificial intelligence is very good in terms of a core technology, but it requires an application, an interface, as well as an ability to access portions of data, and a training module that really takes the technology and creates the outcome.

Dwight Farris: With education, there are several aspects of artificial intelligence.

With the virtualization of everything now, cybersecurity is a high concern. What we have tried to convey to students, and we’re talking computer science, computer programmers, and cybersecurity students, is that we need to understand what artificial intelligence and cybersecurity is. And if you look at cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, you’re talking about data, about processing data, and processing high amounts of data. And that’s what’s

happening in our world now with the pandemic. So we’re utilizing artificial intelligence along with human intelligence to make sure these data are processed correctly.

utilized to do that very same thing. In many cases, as we, as humans, look at AI as that core technology, we have to train AI as a core technology to do what we, as humans, can do. The benefit of doing that AB: How are you utilizing artificial is it provides scalability. It provides repeat intelligence in your businesses? repetition in the ability to collect data, DW: In education, we are looking for AI assimilate data, and actually make an to develop some of the environments that outcome. These are obviously very key for we’re using for teaching. We’re looking things such as accounting systems where at how students are responding. We’re we need to look at data and interpret getting together data on responses to data, not just saying what the numbers remote learning. And we’re using artificial are, but what do the numbers mean? intelligence to let us know what’s actually ES: Our suite of solutions really effective and what’s not effective in runs the gamut of every step of the education. That’s pretty big across all of customer journey from awareness solutions and even in advertising and higher education — how are we going to develop these ongoing environments based getting you the right message at the on these new models of learning? right time. That’s always been the age old RB: At BDO, we look at artificial adage of advertising, but it’s a lot more intelligence to really focus on how we can complicated in today’s day and age. If gain insights to information that’s within something’s highly, highly relevant and the business and to create data-driven highly, highly targeted to you, you are outcomes. Like a human being, which has more likely to convert. So we use AI dayto-day to power every solution, so that a cognitive capability, we have an ability to understand data and interpret data. when you’re having that conversation, it is more appropriate to you. We’re answering Artificial intelligence is really going to be AB | September - October 2020 19

TECHNOLOGY: TECH TALK

the things the way you would want them to be answered or giving you options that are more relevant to you.

AB: How has artificial intelligence made you better at what you do as a company?

RB: We look at artificial intelligence in terms of making people better, and people are part of the business systems and processes that make up a company.

Oftentimes, we look at people and think we need to hire more people to solve more and more problems as companies scale and get larger. Well, those people, in often cases, become data gatherers — very intelligent people who look for pieces of information they can gather and then roll into a report that then gets consumed by someone else. Artificial intelligence is a core technology provided into systems that these data collectors use. These data collectors can now be converted into what we call data proctors. Because they understand the nuances of the data, what’s being collected, artificial intelligence doesn’t necessarily replace their job, but it moves that data collector to become that of a data proctor.

ES: The solutions we provide are more targeted. They’re more relevant to our consumers. It’s a better customer experience and it’s less humans. So even for ourselves, we’ve been able to automate our own internal processes to make our teams more efficient. With natural language processing, our solutions are able to propose responses.

We are getting to the point where soon, we’ll be able to just push the response to the site. ’Hey, we know this one is right. It’s a review.

This was a great experience. Thanks so much.’ You don’t necessarily need a human responding to every single one of those, right? There’s a myriad of different ways you can handle that. Now, an upset customer, that’s where we want to focus human attention. You want to use your human assets who are the most valuable piece of the company in the best way possible so that they enjoy their jobs.

DF: Machine learning, in case you don’t know, is essentially AI applied to all these devices that tend to learn about human 20

AB | September - October 2020

PANELISTS

Robert Brown

Dr. Dwight Farris

Erica Sietsma

Robert Brown, managing director, BDO Digital: With more than 30 years of experience working with Fortune 100 corporations, Brown is knowledgeable in emerging intelligent technologies such as augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, internet of things (IoT), and financial technology (FinTech).

Dr. Dwight Farris, professor, Grand Canyon University: Farris began a successful 25-year engineering and IT career as an electronics technician in the U.S. Navy. His resume also includes systems engineer, system administrator, and DBA for FedEx, software development with Achieve Healthcare and network engineer for Target.

Erica Sietsma, COO, Digital Air Strike: Sietsma has 17 years of retail technology experience and has been a driving force of Digital Air Strike’s vision and growth.

Her industry knowledge has earned her recognition as an expert on the topics of automotive technology, consumer engagement, lead response, social media and reputation management.

behavior. And this is programming, data processing, and we’re teaching to this. A lot of our students are very interested. They think that AI is magic. When you et into the area of programming, they say, ‘Oh, no, this can’t be what AI is.’ But that is what AI is. It’s high level programming. It’s math. It’s data processing. And it’s very, very effective. And it’s becoming more and more a part of how we handle just about all the data that we’re processing, which is increasing.

AB: How do you see AI changing your businesses over the next several years?

ES: It’s really in the last six months

where we’ve seen the biggest leaps and bounds. I think it’s been way more toyed with like, ‘Oh, can we do this?’ Now, looking at the next year or two years and it’s game, set, match. I think we will be able to do all the things we’ve been kind of talking about as a company and as a consumer engagement solutions provider. We see this kind of mecca where our clients can have great visibility and improve their business. AI will make our clients lives’ easier. It helps them save money in advertising. We can tell you exactly which clients to target, which ones not to worry about, and which ones are

TECHNOLOGY: TECH TALK

“We can actually use artificial intelligence to change the way we conduct business, rather than just the way we collect information about the business.”

Robert Brown, managing director, BDO Digital

ready to buy based on buying history.

DF: Off-the-shelf products are becoming AI driven and that is what our students are focusing on — building those products for corporations. So once they get out there, they can actually showcase what they’ve actually been a part of, both as a student and even as an intern or whatever. Remember that AI, the way we view it now, is relatively new. Its usefulness has increased quite a bit in the last five years particularly. And with our current conditions, with data security, cybersecurity, all of this, it’s increasing even further. And our students and a lot of students across many institutions are at the cusp of helping those particular products become a reality.

RB: We can actually use artificial intelligence to change the way we conduct business, rather than just the way we collect information about the business.

So we look at things like customer sentiment analysis, where we look at the conversations of people out there and they may be saying things that are being transcribed to text, that are being posted on social, but they may actually have a very different meaning than what is actually being presented in text. They always say, never have a discussion with somebody where you want to have a meaningful outcome through email because in many cases, it can be misconstrued or misinterpreted. Well, artificial intelligence can actually improve that because it can understand emotion and sentiment and analysis, not totally the way a human being does, but it can actually understand and suggest outcomes that may be involved in how the business is actually engaging the marketplace, as an example.

22

AB | September - October 2020

AB: We want a bold prediction from each of you. How do you see artificial intelligence having its biggest impact on Arizona in the next five or 10 years?

RB: Whether it’s healthcare, manufacturing or the hospitality industry in Scottsdale, AI has the ability to change the way that businesses operate. We’re not suggesting that artificial intelligence will be a robot at the front desk when you check into Scottsdale’s resorts, but it may also be a technology that’s utilized to determine the client’s requirements before they check in. What are their needs? What are their desires? What are their emotions? In many cases, AI can actually create customer profiling based on visits to the restaurants or spa, charging habits, and the types of products they consume so their customer journey is better enabled through the use of artificial intelligence. So artificial intelligence can be utilized to change the way that people visit, engage, live, operate in that state based upon how they live their lives and go about their business.

ES: I’ve been very impressed over the last five years as I’ve gone to different conferences with how much Arizona has

invested in technology and technology companies. Digital Air Strike is born and bred here. And I think that support is going to power the future of our AI economy. I think a lot of Arizona business owners are very open to trying new things. They’re very open to integrating new solutions, new technologies. I think that’s going to bode really well for the state, plus it’s a great place to live. So. hopefully, we will have all of that talent graduating from our universities and staying in the state.

DF: I think we will do things smarter, and I’m using that term loosely because we have smartphones, we have smart refrigerators, etc. But behind those items and those devices, it’s all artificial intelligence. I think that is going to grow.

And we’re actually going to recognize that this is actually useful. It’s not scary. It’s not Terminator. It’s actually useful. And I think we’re going to understand that better. We’re in the pandemic now and we’re like, ‘We’re never going to be normal,’ but I think we’ll recognize what technology is going to do for us and artificial intelligence will be at the forefront.

WATCH You can see the complete video of the Tech Talk discussion on artificial intelligence at azbigmedia.com.

AZ TOTEM ART

Custom Bird Feeders and Totems made from repurposed architectural materials

aztotemart.com | By Appointment Only • 602.677.5999

AB | September - October 2020 23

BANKING

BANKING ON

THE FUTURE Valley business leaders look to launch Gainey Business Bancorp, Arizona’s first new community bank in a decade

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

I

n recent years, the banking industry has been defined by contraction and consolidation.

Consider these jaw-dropping facts: • Since 1990, there has been a net reduction of 10,042 banking institutions — or 66 percent.

• In 2008, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) approved nearly 100 new banks. By 2009, new licenses dipped to 31, before bottoming out at zero in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

• In the last 12 months, there has been a net reduction of 246 bank charters.

24

AB | September - October 2020

• For 2020, the De Novo Bank Replenishment Rate is expected to be 5.7 percent, which means there are expected to be fewer than six new banks for every 100 merged or failed banks.

So looking at those statistics, it seems like you’d have to be 99 cents short of a dollar to want to start a bank — especially in the shadow of a global pandemic. Right?

Not so fast.

“The idea to start Gainey Business Bancorp started from a recognition of need,” says Jim Unruh, who is leading the charge to bring the community bank to the Gainey area of Scottsdale.

“When you look at the fast-growing area of small- and mediumsized businesses, which is what really builds the economy, and you

Jelena McWilliams

look at this market, we are really down to four community banks that meet the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses.”

And there are plenty of small- and medium-sized businesses that need to be served by the banking industry. In the eight-mile radius surrounding Unruh’s Scottsdale office, there are about 11,000 businesses with revenues of $10 million or less.

“A lot of those businesses are very small,” Unruh says, “but when you look at the development surrounding the Scottsdale Airpark and along the Loop 101, there is a lot of market to serve here — in healthcare, technology, and other emerging industries.

There is a real need, so there is real opportunity for a community bank that fulfills those businesses’ needs.”

Rich Vogel

Changing tides While the number of new bank charters sank to zero in three of the last eight years, there has been a slight uptick in activity.

Over the last three years, the FDIC has helped 20 new banks open, including eight in 2019. And the agency is working to make it easier for aspiring community banks like Gainey Business Bancorp to become a reality.

“A pipeline of new banks is critical to the long-term health of the industry and communities across the country,” says FDIC Chair Jelena McWilliams. “The FDIC wants to see more de novo (starting from the beginning) banks, and we are hard at work on making this a reality.”

To make that happen, McWilliams says the FDIC is working to streamline the application process so it’s not so burdensome that it deters prospective banks from applying.

“I recognize that, like many competitive industries, a dynamic banking sector needs new startups entering the marketplace,” McWilliams says. “De novo banks are a key source of new capital, talent, ideas, and ways to serve customers. Most de novos are traditional banks that offer services and products to underserved communities and fill gaps in overlooked markets.”

Which is exactly where Unruh sees Gainey Business Bancorp fitting into the Valley.

“As a person running a business, you never really know what your banking relationship is until some problem comes up,” Unruh says. “A lot of people found in the last six months — when COVID hit and they needed help from their banker — that the relationship wasn’t the relationship they needed. We hope to create a bank that gives those small- and medium-sized businesses the banking relationship they need to be successful.”

Team approach To give Gainey Business Bancorp its best chance at success, Unruh has assembled an experienced team that is skilled at AB | September - October 2020 25

BANKING building the kind of banking relationships that small- and medium-sized businesses need to grow.

“We had to find a top team with experience in this market,” Unruh says. “Finding people with experience in this market will help us grow a little faster because they already have the contacts.

It will also lower our risk because they already know the market and things to avoid.”

Helping Unruh launch Gainey Business Bancorp are Joe Stewart, who was the president of JP Morgan Chase Arizona for eight years and helped introduce Bankers Trust to the market; and Rich Vogel, who started Compass Bank operations in Phoenix and helped launch First Scottsdale, which was the last de novo bank approved in Arizona in 2010.

The banking industry veterans say there is going to be one thing that separates Gainey Business Bancorp — and other community banks — from the bigger competitors: Service.

“That’s our mantra,” Stewart says. “We’re going to be a nimble fighter battleship and the mega-banks are the aircraft carriers. If we cannot out-maneuver them, they will block us right away.”

Unruh and Stewart say they are focused on being a business bank and are not setting themselves up to compete as a retail

bank. Their typical customer is going to be an entrepreneur or business owner with revenues hovering in the $10 million to $15-million range or below.

“It’s all about service,” Unruh says. “Our money isn’t going to be different. It’s our ability to prove the importance of personal service and meeting the needs of businesses that is something that will be little different.”

The team launching Gainey Business Bancorp is hoping to open the bank by the first quarter of 2021. They are in the process of raising capital, getting approval from the State of Arizona, and finalizing the business plan that will be presented to the FDIC. Once all the paperwork is submitted to the FDIC, there is a 120day waiting period. Then, all their hard work will pay off and they are in business.

“This isn’t work,” Unruh says. “I’ve got too much passion. I love the process of building businesses and what those businesses can represent. We really want to become the best of the community banks by virtue of the support we provide to the community, as a place to work, and as a place to do business. This is our opportunity to give back because we are in a position to share the experience we have to help others build success.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Here are the members of the board of directors for Gainey Business Bancorp, a community bank that is expected to launch in late 2020 or early 2021.

JIM UNRUH chair or the board BACKGROUND: Currently the principal of Alerion Capital Group and former chairman and CEO of Unisys.

BACKGROUND: CEO of

BACKGROUND: 30 years of

Ategrity Insurance and 32-year Nationwide Insurance executive.

extensive experience and indepth knowledge of the financial industry.

BACKGROUND: He has served

26

AB | September - October 2020

veteran and small business owner who oversaw quality of $400 million of products at GoDaddy.

INDER SINGH board member

JIM BREWER board member

is president and CEO of Gainey Business Bancorp, a new community bank they hope to open by the first quarter of 2021. (Photo by Bruce Andersen, AZ Big Media)

BACKGROUND: Technology

MIKE MILLER vice chairman

BRIAN DULING board treasurer BACKGROUND: Senior financial executive with over 25 years’ experience as a CFO, consultant, and board member.

LEADING THE WAY: Jim Unruh is chairman and Joe Stewart

PREET SAINI board member

as the president and CEO of several independent banks.

MELISSA TRUJILLO board member BACKGROUND: Co-founder and CEO of the Be A Leader Foundation and COO of Cambios y Servicios.

GONZALO DE LA MALENA, JR. board member BACKGROUND: Operator of the Phoenix Minority Business Development Agency.

AB | September - October 2020 27

LAW

TRIAL

BY HIRE? Pandemic steers more business disputes away from jury trials in favor of mediation and arbitration

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

T

he COVID-19 pandemic wiped out our workouts. It disrupted our dinners. It squashed our social life. Now, it’s likely to trim the number of trials our legal system sees.

To further prevent the spread of COVID-19, Maricopa County Superior Court issued an order that steers certain litigants away from jury trials in favor of mediation and arbitration, which is a fairly big deal if you’re facing a business dispute.

28

AB | September - October 2020

“It is not so much the kind of jury trial, but rather the posture of the case that will drive the diversions to mediation and arbitration,” says Gary Smith, manager at Guidant Law Firm.

“Cases will go through a triage of sorts. Mediation will be encouraged for cases more susceptible to settle. Arbitration will be encouraged for smaller-dollar, simpler-issue or lower-risk matters. No one will be forced to give up a jury trial if they prefer it and are otherwise entitled.”

According to legal experts, there is one major advantage to taking your business dispute to mediation or arbitration instead of a jury trial.

“In one word, speed,” says Wendi Sorensen, shareholder at Burch & Cracchiolo. “Opting for mediation or arbitration instead of a jury trial will likely bring your matter to a close much sooner than awaiting trial.”

Experts say the coronavirus has severely affected our court system, due largely to the need to socially distance, and the effect that has on the ability to appear in person and to impanel a jury.

“Although some courts have tried options involving Zoom– type trials, the results have been mixed, and parties involved in litigation are hesitating to stipulate to this option,” Sorensen says. “Once we are able to safely resume in person appearances, criminal matters will take priority due to the constitutional right to a speedy trial. Therefore, we expect it will be at least a year before trials are able to resume.”

What’s involved in mediation and arbitration?

When it comes to a business dispute, Smith says mediation is the parties’ opportunity to write their own outcome.

“It is a negotiated settlement facilitated by a mediator,” he says.

“The mediator makes no decisions or rulings, and is there strictly to help the parties communicate and help in the architecture of settlement.”

According to Smith, mediation succeeds when these stars align: • The parties know what they need — not what they want • Are ready to be done with the dispute • Can accept not having all of their questions answered • Are willing to compromise • Logic overrules emotion

LAW

Michael R. Ross

Gary Smith

Wendi Sorensen

Christopher Zarda

“The mediator makes no decisions or rulings, and is there strictly to help the parties communicate and help in the architecture of settlement.” — Gary Smith

“That does not mean mediation is easy or pleasant,” Smith says.

“It is a lot of work and long days.”

Arbitration, by contrast, substitutes a traditional judge with a privately hired arbitrator.

“It often replaces court rules for other rules, and offers flexibility as to time and place for the arbitration hearing,” Smith says. “In many ways, arbitration mirrors court. However, the arbitrator can be selected using criteria such as subject matter knowledge.”

Because you are buying their time, an arbitrator will have as much time for your case as you want, which is in stark contrast with Superior Court, where judges carry hundreds of cases.

“Arbitration is the antithesis of mediation,” Smith says. “It is a ‘day in court.’ It requires fastidious preparation and deep focus on discrete issues. Arbitration’s strong suits are ‘faster and final,’ as there is effectively no appeal from arbitration. Parties have to show up like it’s the Super Bowl.”

Pros and cons of mediation and arbitration As with all forms of dispute resolution, Christopher Zarda, director of complex litigation at MacQueen and Gottlieb, says there are definite pros and cons to mediation and arbitration.

“Mediation, a non-binding dispute resolution procedure, allows the parties to separately present their subjective case to an independent mediator,” Zarda says. “Picking the right mediator with the right experience allows for a full and frank discussion and exchange of information couriered between the parties.

This also allows an experienced intermediary to provide frank commentary on the relative strengths and weaknesses of asserted claims and defenses, with the mediator advocating not for one

30

AB | September - October 2020

party over the other, but rather for the successful settlement of the claims.”

The downside to mediation, according to Zarda, is its nonbinding nature, meaning that no matter how strong your position may be, there is no guarantee the matter will be resolved as the parties cannot be compelled to settle.

“Arbitration can be quicker than waiting for a dispute to wind its way through the court process and the court’s burdened calendars,” says Michael R. Ross, shareholder at Gallagher & Kennedy. “Arbitration typically involves less discovery — the acquisition of information, documents, and pretrial testimony — than the court system, which generally means that the parties save money and time. Arbitration hearings are typically less formal and rigid than trial, although arbitration hearings in complex matters can often feel just like a trial without the courtroom and the judicial robes.”

The downside of arbitration is that it comes with a price.

“Private arbitrators, typically former judges or active attorneys, charge an hourly fee for their services, and there are also significant administrative fees charged by neutral services that oversee the appointment of arbitrators and the process,” Ross says.

Another frequent complaint from participants in arbitration and their counsel is that an outcome at arbitration is generally not subject to appeal.

“Parties that are not satisfied with the outcome have to live with it — there is not another bite at the proverbial apple except under vary narrow circumstances,” Ross says. “Of course, the flip side to that concern is that an arbitration provides finality and avoids what some view as a drawn-out appellate process.”

AB | September - October 2020 31

9

MARKETING

ways to amplify your company’s message on social media

W

ith more than 85 percent of companies using social media to market their products or services, it has become very hard to stand out from the crowd in the digital space. If you want to take your social media efforts to the next level and see a sound ROI from online campaigns, here are our suggestions for success.

1. Stop spraying and praying Jackie Wright The old saying of “fail to plan, plan to fail” Marketing could not be truer when it comes to social media marketing. Having a cohesive plan and calendar in place that highlights what your 4. Establish a cohesive tone company wants to promote, which platform Don’t give your social media followers you’ll be promoting that message, and who whiplash with inconsistent branding and will handle managing the messaging is messaging. Determine what kind of tone essential to social media success. you want to set for your company (fun, super professional, edgy, etc.) and keep 2. Get to know your audience Relevancy is the name of the game if you that tone consistent in all your online want to see social media ROI in 2020. If you communications. want to amplify your social media content, it is essential to know whom you are trying 5. Build trust As fake news and foreign bots continue to target and what their pain points are. to dominate our social feeds, especially Figure out how to solve those paint points in an election year, being reliable and via your social media content strategy, and trustworthy is essential in order to amplify you’ll have digital marketing gold! your company’s brand. Work to be a 3. Know which platforms to use and ignore trustworthy resource of information and feedback to keep current and potential Once you have a good understanding customers engaged. of who your audience is, you should know which social platforms they spend 6. Pay attention to the competition their time on. Work to maximize the Ignorance is not bliss when it comes effectiveness of your communications to social media success. Dismissing what where your target market is engaging the most. Demographics for each social media your competitors are doing will allow them to gain the upper hand and potentially platform change constantly, so do your steal online market share. Consistently research each year to know where your check your competitor’s messaging, how company should be placing its focus.

32

AB | September - October 2020

big their audience is, promotions, and content efforts to identify any gaps in your company’s social strategy.

7. Don’t rinse. Wash. Repeat Posting the same kinds of content repeatedly or the exact post on all social platforms is a big mistake that brands often make. Online followers consume content differently on all social platforms.

Be mindful of where you’re posting, what you’re posting and what is getting the best engagement for true success.

8. Follow the “Rule of Thirds” Just like in face-to-face communications, no one wants to hear a ton of bragging or self-promotion.

Best practices dictate that 1/3 of your company’s social media content should work to promote, 1/3 should educate or be useful, and 1/3 should entertain or be structured in a way that it tells an authentic story about your company.

9. Pound the stone There is no magic bullet when it comes to promoting a brand online. It takes a lot of planning, analyzing, and the ability to pivot when things are not working. Work to set detailed key performance indicators (KPI’s) for all your social media efforts and consistently work to improve them in order to maximize your company’s social media results.

Jackie Wright is the president of Rainmaker Integrated, a public relations and marketing firm with a specialization in restaurants, retail, hospitality, multifamily housing and niche healthcare.

EVERY HOUR, ON THE HOUR 24 / 7 / 365 EXCLUSIVELY on 1100 KFNX www.1100kfnx.com

DINING FLAVORS OF FRANCE: Chef Jean-Christophe Gros, who has more than 35 years of experience working in restaurants in France; runs the kitchen at Voilà French Bistro.

His wife, Ségolène, who has 25 years in the industry, runs the front of the restaurant.

(Provided photo)

Magnifique Voilà French Bistro brings the flavors of France

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

W

hen you dream of the perfect meal, there’s a chance your mind might wander to a leisurely dinner at a sidewalk cafe in Paris, with a glass of wine washing down dishes that are so sinfully delicious that you feel like you’ll need to go to confession after dessert.

You can cancel that flight of fancy to France. You just need to go to Scottsdale.

Voilà French Bistro, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, is the perfect culinary creation of Chef Jean-Christophe Gros, who was born in Northeast France and brings more than 35 years of experience working in Michelin-star restaurants in France. After visiting Scottsdale in 2007, Chef Jean-Christophe and is wife, Ségolène Gros, fell in love with the city and moved to Scottsdale in 2015 to share their gift for creating traditional French cuisine with a modern and elegant style.

Voilà French Bistro has become a favorite among foodies, who helped the 34

AB | September - October 2020

sensational slice of France become the No. 1 French restaurant in Ranking Arizona. And one bite of any of the dishes on Voilà’s menu tells you immediately that the restaurant lives up to — and exceeds — the hype. Some cannot miss dishes include: • Moules ($10) — six open mussels with parsley butter and garlic — is as perfect an appetizer as you can find with flavors that blend into a burst of deliciousness.

• Saumon fumé ($14) — smoked salmon with red onion, capers with butter and toast — is delicately sliced with a rich, strong smoky flavor and lightly salted freshness that will keep you thinking about it even after the entrees arrive.

• Le Vol au Vent ($23) is chicken in puff pastry with mushrooms, green asparagus and light creamy tarragon sauce; and La Noix de Saint-Jacques ($33) is scallops in puff pastry with beurre blanc sauce. Chef Jean-Christophe’s puff pastry in both

these dishes melts in your mouth like cotton candy and creates two amazing dishes that epitomize French cooking at its highest level. Both plates are exquisite.

• Chef Jean-Christophe’s Le Canard à l’orange ($26) — duck leg confit and orange sauce — elevates a traditional French dish to a new level of excellence. The duck is cooked so perfectly that it melts in your mouth like butter.

• By the time you get to dessert, your expectations will be raised by the level of deliciousness you’ve already experienced and you won’t be disappointed. La Crème brûlée ($9), traditional creamy vanilla custard and a caramelized sugar top; la tarte citron by chef Jean-Christophe ($10), lemon mousse with caramelized almond biscuit and meringue; and La Profiterole ($13), profiteroles stuffed with vanilla bean ice cream, topped with a chocolate sauce; are all sinfully satisfying. But so is EVERYTHING on Voilà’s menu.

If you’ve always wanted to try a French restaurant but felt intimidated, Voilà French Bistro will open you up to a world of flavors that you’ve never experienced.

And if you’re a longtime fan of French food, Chef Jean-Christophe and Ségolène Gros have created a sophisticated and welcoming space that is sure to please your palate like it’s never been pleased before.

Vive la France.

Voilà French Bistro Address: 10135 East Via Linda, Scottsdale Phone: 480-614-5600 Website: voilafrenchbistro.com

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

FOOD, FLORAL & FURNISHINGS

602.579.5327 THEMARKETBYJENNIFERS.COM

602.579.5327 602.579.5327 THEMARKETBYJENNIFERS.COM THEMARKETBYJENNIFERS.COM

FOOD, FOOD, FLORALFLORAL & & FOOD, FURNISHINGS FURNISHINGS FLORAL &

602.579.5327 THEMARKETBYJENNIFERS.COM

FURNISHINGS

COMING NEXT ISSUE Featured topics include: • A look at the global impact of Scottsdale’s Cure Corridor • How the banking industry is getting ready for the recovery • Meet some of the most innovative business leaders in Arizona • Lessons from SRP’s Champions of Energy Efficiency • How the Valley’s reputation as a connected region impacts business attraction

For additional information call 602.277.6045 or visit azBIGmedia.com AB | September - October 2020 35

MPI

TESTING THE WATERS Here’s how experts say COVID-19 will impact the future of meetings

By PEYTON CLARK

B

efore, we would have dove into the clear, inviting water with little to no hesitation — but since the pandemic, we’ve been more hesitant to even dip our toe in the somewhat calm waters. In January of 2020, walking into a meeting with more than 10 people was normal. Hosting large events with many people — hundreds or thousands of people — was part of meeting planners’ jobs — until everything changed.

No one could have predicted how much COVID-19 would impact everyday life and present difficult challenges for many industries, including restaurants, tourism, healthcare and business — all of which will look different moving forward. At some point, COVID-19 will subside and life will return to normal.

But what will that new normal be and what will face-to-face meetings look like in the future?

36

AB | September - October 2020

Certain uncertainty Julie Wong, CMP, owner and president of The Event Concierge says, “It’s hard to say because we haven’t had the opportunity to plan a meeting, but there has been discussions of instead of having one session where you double up, we break it up into two sessions. So instead of 500 in one event, there are 250 in one and 250 in the second one.”

In a post-COVID world, Wong says as larger meetings take time to build back up, there will be a mix of face-to-face and virtual meetings.

“We almost need a good, better and best option as a whole when it comes to this crazy time and how we are needing to adjust, but still live properly,” she says.

Other precautions include more sanitizing stations and social distancing, as well as increased staffing levels with larger meetings or events so those events will have one serving crew and one cleaning crew, so there’s no cross contaminating.

Melanie Volkers

Julie Wong

Technological times Something many industries weren’t prepared for: reliance and use of technology.

“Technology got caught with its pants down, it wasn’t ready,” Wong says.

Zoom, IM chat, emails and conference calls have all become critical forms of communication when working remotely.

“Before, it was so cut-throat, but there is more patience with each other because there’s a better understanding, which has provided more togetherness,” Wong says.

However, the extreme use of technology during this pandemic has brought more compassion and understanding between colleagues, managers and supervisors as more industries have adapted to working remotely.

According to research conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)’s COVID-19 Business Index, 64 percent of U.S. employees are currently working from home and 60 percent of U.S. employees have switched to remote work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Melanie Volkers, president of the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Arizona Sunbelt Chapter says, “We truly can’t even look at post-COVID too much because things are constantly changing and evolving, so we have to look more at during and every day.”

Adjusting to the times One thing the tourism industry has had to adjust is its food and beverage offerings and service; group meals and buffets will cease and hotels will eventually offer an unattended buffet for AB | September - October 2020 37

MPI

guests. For example, eliminating all touchpoints, such as all-day coffee stations. Eventually when things settle down, the mask mandate will likely be required for employees, but not for guests.

The food and beverage changes will probably last longer, providing no community food, no buffets for a while, or family style meals.

“Once we come out of this, past this initial crisis, do you have to still remain six feet apart? Probably not, so most likely more like three feet,” Volkers says.

Once familiar and relatively simple tasks for event professionals — like planning or holding a meeting with some preparation and a goal in mind — will now have more factors to consider, such as how many people will be in the meeting, are the decision makers or those who are proposing an idea or program present; are social distancing guidelines able to be implemented, and can technology (such as video or phone conferencing) give other executives and/or employees access to be part of the meeting if they can’t be present?

Zoom — which announced in may that it would open a new research and development center in Phoenix — has been one of the most utilized forms of technology by many companies and organizations. Zoom has enabled people to discuss goals and communicate updates on certain projects or initiatives while working remotely.

“Technology is why we’re still able to meet right now, so meetings don’t have to stop, we just need to adapt and, hopefully, at a fairly fast rate,” Volkers says.

THE FUTURE OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS Pam Gilbert, director of sales and marketing, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: “Surveys have been created Pam Gilbert and conducted during meetings, taking polls, and that’s been a huge driving factor and key decision making in getting back into meeting rooms, and what would be helpful with that is the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Melanie Volkers, president, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Arizona Sunbelt Chapter: “How quickly event planners needed to adjust, change and pivot was super impressive, and that is truly how we’ve survived this so far, is constantly being ready and being on our toes.”

Julie Wong, CMP, owner and president, The Event Concierge: “We’re trying to always be one step ahead of the virus as best we can, so we have 100 ways to properly plan, in this ‘new trend’ or possibly temporary trend, and we could eventually go back to where we were.”

38

AB | September - October 2020

Ability to adapt Volkers says on multiple occasions she has been thoroughly impressed with the versatility that meeting planners have shown, and how quickly they made the pivot.

“It could have “easily killed us,” she says, “but we adjusted well, quickly and successfully. We don’t have to meet in person to change the world.”

Pam Gilbert, director of sales and marketing at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess says, “There are several different phases we need to enter before getting to the end and right now, we’re currently in phase one, which is going to continue through the remainder of the year.”

Part of phase one entails the return of meetings, while still being committed to social distancing. While some groups are currently returning to the meeting process, some will begin to regroup in the fall and begin planning for the future.

“There are very strict cleaning protocols right now and will continue as a normality, such as the use of electrostatic sprayers and sanitizing stations placed throughout the premises,” Gilbert says.

For hotels, a huge consideration for event staff is how to safely serve food and beverages while providing an enjoyable experience for guests. Some ways they are planning to do that is by offering plated meals to groups. Plexy shields will be in place and guests won’t be handling food or utensils if there are buffets. Guests will also be required to wear gloves along with social distancing seating.

“Phase two is where the vaccine enters the picture, which is hopefully by the end of the year,” Gilbert says, “because then people can be given more confidence and things won’t be as strict.”

A new normal?

As we navigate this challenging time and adjust accordingly as new information becomes available, meeting planners and hospitality professionals will need to continue to innovate and think of ways to deliver an engaging event in a fun way.

“The team is committed to help reinvent the times and reinvent ourselves with the ability to use polling, chats, other virtual components, especially with our ‘Mini-Monies,’” Gilbert says.

Mini-Monies is something the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has created where people can live-stream their weddings virtually, for those who cannot attend in-person during this pandemic.

“The campaign is called, ‘Love is not cancelled’ and is a true testimony to this team’s commitment to reinvent themselves, as well as still providing an amazing opportunity for those who were intended to get married this year, but had to cancel due to COVID,” Gilbert says.

Although the future is uncertain, meetings will take place again, they will just look differently than before. Meeting professionals are cautiously optimistic when planning future events and meetings, considering risk factors and guest safety.

We’ll dip our toe in the water before eventually being able to jump in, but it’s going to take a little time to get used to the new waters first, meeting experts agree.

AB | September - October 2020 39

MPI

UNEARTHLY Here are some out-of-this-world experiences that visitors and residents will appreciate

By ALISON BAILIN BATZ

A

ccording to a recent report by the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT), Arizona experienced its best year ever for tourism in 2019, including setting an all-time high for Arizonans employed by travel industry jobs directly supported by visitor spending. To give an idea, in 2019, Arizona visitors spent $25.6 billion, which equates to $70.1 million per day spent across the state’s 90+ cities, towns and communities.

This record spending in 2019 also generated a record $3.78 billion in combined local, state and federal tax revenue, which

40

AB | September - October 2020

reduced the annual tax burden by $1,400 for every Arizona household.

This year, however, will be vastly different. But we can collectively help.

Arizonans can use this time to seek out experiences and attractions across the state, following all CDC guidelines, and support the tourism industry.

Need ideas on where to start, and what to do? Here’s a quick look at some of the most unique ways to be a tourist in your own state now and in the future (noting of course that all areas of Arizona are in various states of reopening and are subject to change as we all navigate through this pandemic):

ARIZONA Plan a gourmand getaway Located on 100 acres in Prescott National Forest about an hour from the historic and charming City of Prescott, Terra Farm + Manor is unlike almost any other vacation destination on the planet. Stunning and sprawling, within Terra’s 100 acres lies a vineyard, planted farm land, greenhouses , pastured land, rustic barns , orchards, animals including Iberian pigs, Spanish turkeys and Japanese beef cattle, wildflowers, forest trails , black walnut trees, towering cottonwood trees, a fishing pond and a 3,000-square-foot lodge. Within the lodge are eight guest suites, including one 700-square-foot master suite. There are no television sets at Terra, but Wi-Fi is included with all guest stays, which range from two- to four-night packages. Attached to the lodge is both

Terra Farm + Manor

Terra Farm + Manor

Terra Farm + Manor AB | September - October 2020 41

MPI

Phoenician Spa

a 1,500-square-foot cooking studio as well as an 8,000-square-foot patio with sparkling twinkle lights, a pizza oven, cast iron cooking pit and French stove.

Once checked in, guests are given an itinerary for the long weekend. Most weekends are given a central theme, be it cooking, wine pairings or even food and photography. On-site activities beyond the interactive classes include bocce ball, hiking, sporting clays, fly fishing, archery, guided nature walks, hatchet throwing, yoga, horseback riding, meditation and a host of both indoor and outdoor games such as corn hole, ping pong, poker and darts.

Each night is capped by an ultraexclusive themed six- to 10-course dinner with locally sourced cheeses and dishes made entirely with fruits, vegetables, meat including Wagyu beef, poultry, fowl, herbs and spices grown on property.

Experience five-star service The Forbes Travel Guide recently released its 2020 star ratings, the only independent rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas in the world.

There are 24 properties across Arizona that earned a place on the coveted list, including three spas, two resorts and one restaurant that earned the Five Star rating.

It is the highest of all Forbes rankings and only presented to about 430 destinations on the planet.

The Phoenician Spa, which opened in March 2018 replacing the original Centre for Well-Being, is one of just 24 spas worldwide receiving the honor for the very first time. The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort also earned a Five-Star rating. Tucked away from the main resort, this exclusive enclave is a boutique hotel within the 42

AB | September - October 2020

award-winning resort Following a complete remodel in mid-2016, the 60-room Canyon Suites features a private, palm-fringed pool overlooking Camelback Mountain as well as plush accommodations, a private lounge and unique curated activities, including trapeze lessons and private helicopter tours. Both Aji Spa and Kai restaurant at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass also earned the Five-Star Award. This marks the first time Aji Spa has been bestowed the honor, joining Kai, which has meticulously maintained the Five Star accolade for 12 years and is still the only restaurant in the state with the distinction. Rounding out the Five-Star honorees are The RitzCarlton, Dove Mountain and The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, both just outside of Tucson in Marana. The RitzCarlton, Dove Mountain joins the Sheraton Grand as one of only two hotels in Arizona, and the only full destination resort in the state, to achieve double Five Stars for 2020.

Wine on Main Street Arizona’s wine industry has exploded in recent years, with more and more vineyards across Southern and Northern Arizona popping up each year. Given the distance between many, however, it is often hard to try more than one or two at a time, especially when popping bottles at home. Thankfully, there is Cottonwood.

Kai restaurant

Currently, there are four working Arizona vineyards with wine tasting rooms along Cottonwood’s eclectic, electric Main Street: Carlson Creek Vineyards, Pillsbury Wine Company, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards and Merkin Vineyards Osteria. Each offers wine tasting flights – some with cheese plates, small bites or even full-service kitchens – as well as locally made wines by the glass and bottle. Many also have games, live music and ample patio space to allow for socially distanced tasting. Joining them along Main Street are also Burning Tree Cellars, which offers small batch, boutique wines that aren’t mass marketed; Winey 101, which features wines from the husband and wife winemaker owners; State Bar, an indoor-outdoor bar with yard games and both local wines and beers on tap; and Small Batch Wine & Spirits, a family owned tasting room with both boutique wines and craft beers.

And while only about 90 minutes from the Valley, it is worth booking a stay on Main Street’s most stunning hotel, The Tavern Hotel, versus worrying about a designated driver or traffic. Once upon a time – in the 1920s to be exact – the building was actually the town grocery store. Thanks to a sweeping re-imagining, and significant investment, by Verde Valley couple Eric and Michelle Jurisin, today the boutique, independent hotel is among the most charming in the Southwest. The hotel, which just added a magnificent pool complex and fitness center, features 41 standard rooms with hardwood floors, stone-tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers, granite counter tops, vessel sinks, high-end fixtures, 50-inch flat screen televisions, plush bedding and spa-quality hair and body products. There are also cottages (perfect for distancing with their own entrances) and a massive penthouse with three bedrooms and a full kitchen, so a great fit for even a little bit of a group.

Merkin Vineyards Osteria

AB | September - October 2020 43

MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN

2020 VISION

The Most Influential Women of 2020 share some lessons they have learned during this challenging year

By MICHAEL GOSSIE Megan Ackaert, region manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co.: “Our current situation presents challenges that I haven’t faced before. It has driven new ways of working and creative approaches to problem solving—and we’re more connected than ever through remote meeting technology. It has also taught me to be more resilient and flexible when approaching situations, which has helped me to become a stronger leader.”

Kim Dees, senior vice president and Southern Arizona division manager, WaFd Bank Arizona: “Patience is hard, but worth it. When you have a big idea, you want it to happen immediately. But allowing the idea to go through a process – development, training, deployment, success metrics, et al – gives it a better chance of being more than just a fleeting flash in the pan.”

Marchelle Franklin, director of human services, City of Phoenix: “The resilience required to stay strong in a crisis emanates from strong leaders ensuring the team

44

AB | September - October 2020

C

OVID-19 has been cataclysmic in many ways.

It’s changed the way we work. It’s changed the way we live.

It’s changed the way we teach. It’s changed the way we do business.

Change often provides new perspective that fosters life lessons that lead to better habits and improved processes.

Az Business and AZRE magazines’ Most Influential Women of 2020 are no exception. Here are some of the lessons they have learned in 2020.

knows what they do matters and has value before the crisis hits. This allows teams to effectively navigate through the crisis while simultaneously revising goals when a crisis creates a new normal.”

Adaliz Gimenez, vice president and commercial banker, Bell Bank: “This last year had so many great teaching moments

FROM LEFT: Regina Romero, Marchelle Franklin, Megan Ackaert, Carla Vargas Jasa, Kim Dees, Andrea Lovell, Debbie Shumway, Katie Haydon Perry, Adaliz Gimenez, and Kim Soule.

that it is really hard to pick one specific thing. I have been reminded of the importance of relationships. Of how much we can achieve when we push and pull each other up. That sharing our fire with others can never extinguish or diminish our own flame. In fact, it will rekindle and renew our own.”

Katie Haydon Perry, executive vice president, Haydon Building Corp.: “The COVID-19 crisis reaffirmed this for me: A strong team can get you through anything.

As the leader of the organization, it’s your responsibility to keep the business moving forward and to have the strength to make the tough decisions.”

Andrea Lovell, shareholder, Littler: “Resilience. In the face of unpredictability and change, I have learned to adapt to the unexpected.

Even court hearings and client meetings can be handled gracefully over Zoom while self-quarantining — and homeschooling.”

AB | September - October 2020 45

MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF 2020 Regina Romero, mayor, City of Tucson: “I am repeatedly reminded of this, especially over the last year: follow your inner voice when something feels off or spot on. Be bold and act courageously. If you miss the mark, acknowledge it, get up and continue to move forward. Build a team that believes in a cause and effecting change.

Together, you can move mountains.”

Debbie Shumway, CEO, Hospice of the Valley: “I have learned that constant and consistent communication is vital to

understanding employee needs – especially when facing new uncertainties as we are now. I value each employee’s perspective and use that knowledge to grow and support our mission.”

Kim Soule, senior vice president, Colliers: “Always take that extra step. My banking background enabled me early information about the Paycheck Protection Program. I sent information to my clients, providing them a running start on the program. As it turned out, this was valuable because

most of my clients were approved for the original funding.”

Carla Vargas Jasa, president and CEO, Valley of the Sun United Way: “Listening to learn, being transparent, and communicating clearly during the steady and not so steady times builds trust. When disruption inevitably strikes, as it has with COVID-19, it enables you to pivot nimbly, take some risks and to ask partners, supporters and staff to take dramatic, and sometimes uncomfortable, steps with you.”

Here are Az Business and AZRE magazines’ Most Influential Women of 2020.

The Most Influential Women for 2020 will be honored at a reception at a date to be determined. For more information, visit azbigmedia.com.

Megan Ackaert, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Ann-Marie Alameddin, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association Susan Anable, Cox Communications Ginny Arnett Caro, Copperpoint Insurance Companies Tracy Bame, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Lisa Bentley, McCarthy Nordburg Marjorie Bessel, MD, Banner Health Franki Buckman, The Molly Project Susan Chetlin, Burch & Cracchiolo Cara Christ, MD, Arizona Department of Health Services Rebecca Clyde, Botco.ai Barb Dawson, Snell & Wilmer Kim Dees, WaFd Bank Arizona Kathleen Duffy Ybarra, Duffy Group Brenda Ferraro, Prevalent Marchelle Franklin, City of Phoenix Adaliz Gimenez, Bell Bank Tara Grenier, Orcutt Winslow Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury Marina Hammersmith, ORION Investment Real Estate Katie Haydon Perry, Haydon Building Corp.

Sheryl Hays, Wentworth Property Company Jenny Holsman Tetreault, US Foods Cheryl Hyman, Arizona State University Heather Kane, UnitedHealthcare Anette Karlsson, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Julie King, Harmon Electric Gretchen Kinsella, DPR Construction Julie Laulis, Sparklight Dr. Winnie Liang, TGen

46

AB | September - October 2020

Andrea Lovell, Littler Morag Lucey, Televerde Carrie Masters, LGE Design Build Peggy R. Maxwell, Plaza Companies Jennifer May, Two Sister Bosses Kristine Millar, Orcutt Winslow Coree Neumeyer, Quarles & Brady Jackie Orcutt, CBRE Deborah Pearson, OneAZ Credit Union Danna Pratte, Nutritional Brands Karilee Ramaley, Salt River Project Jennifer Reynolds, Ideation Design Group Regina Romero, City of Tucson Ann A. Scott Timmer, Arizona Supreme Court Debbie Shumway, Hospice of the Valley Kim Soule, Colliers Karen Stafford, Employers Council Carol Stewart, Tech Parks Arizona at the University of Arizona Lauren Stine, Quarles & Brady Trisha Talbot, Newmark Knight Frank Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury Colleen Tebrake, Two Sister Bosses Julie Tomich, American Express Carla Vargas Jasa, Valley of the Sun United Way Monica Villalobos, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Suzanne Wilson, Phoenix Symphony Laura Worzella, OneAZ Credit Union Daily Wright, Orcutt Winslow Nancy Zezza, Alliance Bank of Arizona

AB | September - October 2020 47

48

AB | September - October 2020

Most Admired Companies 2020

REDEFINING

EXCELLENCE

The Most Admired Companies of 2020 epitomize greatness in leadership, adaptability, social responsibility, workplace culture and innovation

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

A

lot has changed in the workplace since the start of 2020.

Working from home became something that wasn’t accompanied by a telling wink. Social distancing became the norm, not an occasional response to a colleague’s grooming habits. The #MeToo and #BLM movements are changing the way we interact with our co-workers, neighbors and strangers. And a pandemic has changed the way we live — or don’t live — our lives and do business on a daily basis.

And through all of that, 45 companies have risen from the adversity of 2020 and earned the right to call themselves Arizona’s Most Admired Companies of 2020.

“Most Admired Companies is the most comprehensive and prestigious annual corporate awards program in Arizona,” said Denise Gredler, founder and CEO of BestCompaniesAZ, who co-founded the

Most Admired Companies program with the team from Az Business magazine. “To win, a business must demonstrate excellence in its leadership, corporate culture, vision, innovation, customer relations and community engagement through corporate social responsibility programs.”

AZ Business magazine and BestCompaniesAZ team up to present the Most Admired Companies program each year and the primary goal is to find and recognize those organizations that excel in these five key areas: • Customer opinion • Innovation • Leadership excellence • Social responsibility • Workplace culture Based on those five pillars of excellence, a selection committee comprised of Az Business magazine’s editorial board,

BestCompaniesAZ’s leadership team and professionals from a wide range of industries rated and selected the most accomplished and prestigious companies in Arizona.

With hundreds of nominations representing the most innovative, impactful and successful companies in Arizona, being one of the Most Admired Companies for 2020 shows that the companies profiled on the pages that follow truly represent the best in Arizona business.

Do you lead what you believe is one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies?

Do you work for one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies? Do you do business with a company that you consider one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies? If you want to nominate a company for the 2021 Most Admired Companies awards, visit azbigmedia.com.

AB | September - October 2020 49

Most Admired Companies 2020

ADOPT TECHNOLOGIES

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Brett Helgeson, CEO and managing partner What it does: Information technology company delivering cloud-based solutions and IT management, design and support to small and medium-sized businesses.

Admirable trait: At Adopt, employees feel as though they were adopted, as the company cultivates the qualities of adoptive parents in their management philosophy by fostering a fun and productive environment. Employees have mentorship and career development opportunities to promote from within. Adopt has also been named one of America’s Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes and have a 97 percent client end-user retention rate year over year.

AXON

ADOPT TECHNOLOGIES

(Rick Smith)

AXON

AMERICAN EXPRESS

AMERICAN EXPRESS

Most Admired Company: 2010-2020 Top Arizona executive: Gabrielle Vitale, executive vice president, chief compliance and ethics officer What it does: Largest credit card issuer by purchase volume.

Admirable trait: American Express continually invests in their employees’ well-being through Healthy Living programs that provide 24/7 on-site activity centers, Wellness Centers, cafes with healthy meal options, and partnered with the mental fitness app Calm in May 2020 to offer select members complimentary access to a one-year premium membership. In 2019, Phoenix employees donated over 17,000 hours of service through the company’s Serve2Gether program supporting the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics.

50

AB | September - October 2020

Most Admired Company: 2018-2020 Top Arizona executive: Rick Smith, CEO and founder What it does: Develops Taser, cameras and software products for law enforcement and civilians.

Admirable trait: Axon prides itself on product innovation including their body-worn cameras which aim to help bridge the gap between police and communities through increased transparency and accountability to view incidents happening in real-time and deploy resources where needed. Amid COVID-19, Axon launched the #GotYouCovered campaign to help first responders and committed over $1 million for PPE for first responders.

AB | September - October 2020 51

Most Admired Companies 2020 BLUE YONDER BANNER HEALTH

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Peter S. Fine, president and CEO What it does: Nonprofit health care system Admirable trait: Banner Health’s mission to “making health care easier, so life can be better” is integrated from leadership to more than 50,000 team members who deliver extraordinary care to patients, families and communities. Banner’s values include providing an exceptional customer experience, fostering innovation, maintaining focus and accountability.

Banner’s commitment to innovation led to the establishment of the Banner Innovation Group in 2019 that pilots ideas and funding and investing efforts, plus the expansion of their Telehealth offerings amid COVID-19.

BANNER HEALTH

(formerly JDA)

Most Admired Company: 2016-2020 Top Arizona executive: Girish Rishi, CEO What it does: Software company providing business planning, execution, delivery and labor and supply chain solutions.

Admirable trait: Blue Yonder embraces a ‘Sonoran Spirit’ inspired workplace culture that delivers customer value, fosters its ecosystem of partners, customers and associates and collaborates to help associates develop their full potential. Sustainability is a key value and implemented by donating more than $104,000 (and more than 104,000 trees planted) over four years to the Earth Day Network’s Canopy Project to offset its carbon footprint and its headquarters were built to International Green Construction Code.

CBIZ

CBIZ

Most Admired Company: 2012, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Chuck McLane, senior managing director What it does: Financial, accounting, benefits and insurance services.

Admirable trait: CBIZ’s Great People, Great Place program ensures leadership and the environment create a place employees are excited about and proud of through attractive employee benefits. The CBIZ Women’s Advantage program, which provides professional development, mentoring and networking opportunities for women professionals, is also involved in social responsibility efforts— the program hosts fundraisers to support Dress for Success, an organization that provides work attire for the less fortunate, and collected over 61,000 items and raised over $585,000 through 2019.

52

AB | September - October 2020

GIRISH RISHI BLUE YONDER (formerly JDA)

AB | September - October 2020 53

Most Admired Companies 2020 CHASSE BUILDING TEAM

CBRE

BARRY CHASSE CHASSE BUILDING TEAM

Most Admired Company: 2019, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Barry Chasse, founder What it does: General contractor in Phoenix and Tucson.

Admirable trait: Since its inception in 2007, CHASSE has grown to a 150-plus team with more than $250 million in projects annually and have given and raised more than $3.5 million to Arizona charities that help children. CHASSE reinvests in its employees by providing ongoing continuing education opportunities and strives to make the workplace a second home for employees with an open office space, games, employee recognition and an annual camping trip and staycation.

CBRE

Most Admired Company: 2010-2020 Top Arizona executive: Paul Komadina, senior managing director and Arizona market leader What it does: Commercial real estate services and investment firm.

Admirable trait: Diversity and inclusion are integral to CBRE’s workplace culture through employee networking groups including African-American, LGBTQ and Allies, Women’s, Rising Professionals and Hispanics Organized to Leverage Our Advantage. CBRE Cares, the company’s corporate giving and volunteer organization, has supported various organizations over the years including the PurSuit of Success clothing drive, annual charity golf tournament and many employees hold leadership positions in Valley organizations and participate in civic organizations.

54

AB | September - October 2020

CHARLES SCHWAB

CHARLES SCHWAB

Most Admired Company: 2013-2020 Top Arizona executive: Bernie Clark, executive vice president and head of Schwab Advisor Services What it does: Provides help with financial planning, investments, retirement and more.

Admirable trait: Charles Schwab’s employee resource groups are a resource for growth and development that celebrate diversity including: The Asian Pacific Islanders Network, Black Professionals Associations, The Military Veterans Network, LGBTQ and Allies Pride Network, Organization of Latinx, Women’s Interactive Networks and Abilities Network. The company also makes a positive social impact through educational programs that teach families and teens about money basics and personal finance.

AB | September - October 2020 55

Most Admired Companies 2020

COPPERPOINT INSURANCE COMPANIES

Most Admired Company: 2017, 2019, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Marc Schmittlein, president and CEO What it does: Provides workers’ compensation and commercial insurance solutions.

Admirable trait: Many of CopperPoint’s employees, including the CEO, serve on local boards and community committees, a reflection of the company’s core values: principled, committed, human, inventive and hardworking. CopperPoint also makes an effort to appreciate the staff’s contributions. It does this in a number of ways, from celebrating workplace anniversaries and reaching company goals to recognizing individual achievements and honoring those that embody the core values.

COPPERPOINT INSURANCE COMPANIES

CRAIG RANDOCK CORGAN

CORGAN

CRESA

CRESA

Most Admired Company: 2014-2020 Top Arizona executive: Gary Gregg, managing principal What it does: Commercial real estate advisory firm.

Admirable trait: Driven by the philosophy, “Do the Right Thing,” Cresa donates to charities around the Valley every year. Cresa believes the prevailing commercial real estate practices are broken, so it works to upset typical industry values in an effort to best serve its clients. As a result, Cresa is routinely ranked high in client services.

This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cresa partnered with the app GoSpaces, which helps companies transition back to working in an office and manage remote work.

56

AB | September - October 2020

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Craig Randock, principal What it does: Architecture and interior design firm.

Admirable trait: Corgan prides itself on excellent client interaction and focuses on data-driven design in aviation, data centers, commercial architecture, corporate interiors, healthcare and education. The firm studies new technologies and how to best incorporate them in future projects.

Corgan partners with the National Organization of Minority Architects by running mock interviews and helps students at Arizona State University prepare for jobs in architecture. Staff have access to numerous educational opportunities, including a library, an in-house curriculum and workshops and are given paid time off to volunteer.

AB | September - October 2020 57

Most Admired Companies 2020 DESERT FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION

DP ELECTRIC

Most Admired Company: 2018-2020 Top Arizona executive: Dan Puente, founder and CEO What it does: Electric contracting firm.

Admirable trait: To facilitate its goal of providing opportunities to employees, DP Electric runs DP University, an accredited four-year apprenticeship program which offers courses in electrical theory and business skills. The company’s focus on family culture is evident in its Individual Development Plans, the aim of which are to give employees the tools they need to advance in their careers. DP Electric actively gives back to the community, with staff running after school activities and sponsoring game tournaments.

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Jeff Meshey, president and CEO What it does: Arizona’s largest local credit union.

Admirable trait: Desert Financial’s commitment to its employees is clear. Since the company values education and staff development, it recently launched InvestED, which grants employees free tuition for online courses and degree and certification programs at Arizona State University. Other benefits include elder care time off and reimbursing parents for their children’s sports, arts and extracurricular activities. To stay ahead of the curve, Desert Financial offers voice banking technology through Google Assistant, Google Home and the Amazon Alexa app.

DP ELECTRIC DUFFY GROUP

DUFFY GROUP

Most Admired Company: 2019, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Kathleen Duffy, president and CEO What it does: Global recruitment company.

Admirable trait: Kathleen Duffy, founder of Duffy Group, is dedicated to setting up women in business for success and has spearheaded conversations in the Valley about gender equality in the workplace.

An entrepreneur herself, she has participated in programs that provide resources to new entrepreneurs. Duffy pioneered the concept of recruitment research and implements it in an efficient four-step approach to recruiting. Duffy Group is also committed to fostering a nurturing environment for its employees, all of which are remote.

58

AB | September - October 2020

JEFF MESHEY DESERT FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION

Most Admired Companies 2020 FIRSTBANK

FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP

Most Admired Company: 2011, 2018-2020 Top Arizona executive: Bryce Lloyd and Joel Johnson, market presidents What it does: One of the nation’s largest privately-held banks.

Admirable trait: FirstBank lives on its philosophy, “banking for good,” by valuing employees, delivering personalized service and supporting the community. Since its first location opened in Arizona in 2007, FirstBank has given out more than $1 billion in loans to individuals and commercial enterprises. These loans have in turn created jobs and cultivated neighborhoods, with the money being used to build educational buildings and housing and refurbish oncedowntrodden areas.

FIRSTBANK

FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP

Most Admired Company: 2019, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Rodney Johnson, head of service operations What it does: Provides quality insurance at a reasonable price.

Admirable trait: A few years ago, Farmers debuted Benevity, a platform that helps and encourages employees to track their charitable contributions.

Users can log the hours they spend volunteering and how much money they have donated, which has increased participation and interest in giving back to the community. Benevity also hosts the Volunteer Incentive Program, through which, by volunteering, Farmers employees can earn money to give back to a charity.

FENNEMORE CRAIG

FENNEMORE CRAIG

Most Admired Company: 2016, 2020 Top Arizona executive: James Goodnow, president and managing partner What it does: Full-service business law firm.

Admirable trait: Though it is the oldest law firm in the state, Fennemore Craig is tech-savvy and diversity-minded. The firm has sometimes replaced written briefs with virtual reality legal packages or iPads, partnered with animators to use CGI and 3D printing for abstract case exhibits, and implemented artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies, all of which can save time and costs. Fennemore Craig is also dedicated to supporting women in long-term law careers and minority lawyers.

60

AB | September - October 2020

AB | September - October 2020 61

Most Admired Companies 2020 GODADDY

GALLAGHER & KENNEDY

Most Admired Company: 2018-2020 Top Arizona executive: Michael K. Kennedy, co-founder and shareholder What it does: Full-service law firm.

Admirable trait: Gallagher & Kennedy leadership believes in the value of hard work, a virtue apparent in the firm’s commitment to excellence. Leadership and employees are engaged as community volunteers and serve on boards, councils and committees in numerous philanthropies, economic development groups, and professional development organizations including the Urban Land Institute, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Valley of the Sun United Way Women’s Leadership Council.

GALLAGHER & KENNEDY

Most Admired Company: 20102012, 2014-2017, 2019, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Aman Bhutani, CEO What it does: GoDaddy empowers entrepreneurs by providing the help and tools they need to grow online through website building, marketing and web services.

Admirable trait: GoDaddy is focused on supporting the needs of entrepreneurs through their signature program, Empower

by GoDaddy—its primary goal is to equip entrepreneurs in underserved communities with the training and resources necessary to start and grow their own venture. In addition to their signature program, GoDaddy has given more than $20 million to nonprofits through their charitable giving program, GoDaddy for Good.

GREENBERG TRAURIG

GREENBERG TRAURIG

Most Admired Company: 2018-2020 Top Arizona executive: Nicole Goodwin, managing shareholder What it does: Full-service law firm.

Admirable trait: The firm’s corporate and social responsibility efforts include many of their attorneys who hold high-level positions in professional, charitable and civic organizations including the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, Free Arts for Abused Children Arizona and Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center. Communities throughout the United States and abroad need the help of lawyers who commit their time to pro bono. GT lawyers from across the firm regularly help their communities on matters such as human rights, economic development, children’s issues and immigration.

62

AB | September - October 2020

GODADDY

October 15, 2020 Virtual event

AZ Business magazine and Best Companies AZ are proud to bring you the 11th Annual Most Admired Companies Awards in a virtual format. Join the celebration and help us honor this year’s group of Most Admired Companies.

—————— PREMIER SPONSORS ——————

——————————————————————— azBIGmedia.com 602.277.6045

For sponsorship information, please contact amy.lindsey@azbigmedia.com For any other questions regarding the event, please contact aseret.arroyo@azbigmedia.com AB | September - October 2020 63

Most Admired Companies 2020

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CENTRAL ARIZONA

Most Admired Company: 2016-2020 Top Arizona executive: Jason Barlow, president and CEO What it does: Nonprofit homebuilder for low-income families.

Admirable trait: Habitat has built more than 1,150 homes and improved the shelter situation for more than 3,500 Arizona families. Their innovation efforts include the Construction in Training program that aims to produce the next generation of craft construction leaders. Advocacy efforts include the #CostofHome campaign, where Habitat met with state representatives about the need for affordable housing. A new Habitat Specialty Arizona license plate was created and is available later this year, with proceeds benefiting Habitats across Arizona.

JENNINGS, STROUSS & SALMON

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CENTRAL ARIZONA

(John C. Norling)

JENNINGS, STROUSS & SALMON

HOMEOWNERS FINANCIAL GROUP

HOMEOWNERS FINANCIAL GROUP

Most Admired Company: 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016-2020 Top Arizona executive: Bill Rogers, president and CEO What it does: Full-service mortgage banking company dedicated to helping people purchase a home.

Admirable trait: Their company culture, customer service, innovative products and commitment to give back to the community have transformed them into the award winning company they are today. HFG is recognized as a best place to work in the mortgage industry because of their culture that fosters a family environment.

HFG employees, nicknamed “Homies,” are recognized, engaged and provided with resources to help them succeed professionally.

64

AB | September - October 2020

Most Admired Company: 2016-2020 Top Arizona executive: John C. Norling, managing attorney What it does: Full-service law firm.

Admirable trait: The firm offers clients exceptional talent and insight to address a wide range of business legal issues and treats each client individually to develop strong relationships. Many of the firm’s clients have been with the firm for over 40 years. The firm’s marketing and communications team and attorneys communicate and educate clients, personnel and the community by creating useful written and video content on the website and social media.

AB | September - October 2020 65

Most Admired Companies 2020

JOKAKE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

JOKAKE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Casey Cartier, CEO and president What it does: Commercial real estate service provider.

Admirable trait: Jokake strives to inspire clients with creative solutions, building with honesty and pride. Company values are upheld and exemplified on a daily basis – employees are accountable, responsible, entrepreneurial, empowered and trusted.

Workplace culture is cultivated through their Business Partner Education Program, a six-course program where the team learns about employee stock ownership and Coffee with Casey, a platform for the company to get to know Cartier in a more informal setting.

66

AB | September - October 2020

LOVITT & TOUCHÉ, A MARSH & MCLENNAN AGENCY LLC COMPANY

LOVITT & TOUCHÉ, A MARSH & MCLENNAN AGENCY LLC COMPANY

Most Admired Company: 2015-2020 Top Arizona executive: Charles A. Touché, CEO What it does: Insurance agency offering business insurance, risk management solutions, personal insurance, bonds and surety and employee benefits.

Admirable trait: The agency’s loyalty and commitment to the community and a culture that values inclusivity and drives innovation are exemplified throughout the agency. Lovitt & Touché places a high value on workplace wellness and employees have access to health and wellness seminars, wellness activities, onsite health coaches, gym memberships and incentives for positive health status—more than 83 percent of employees participate in the wellness program.

KITCHELL

KITCHELL

Most Admired Company: 2013-2020 Top Arizona executive: Jim Swanson, president and CEO What it does: Building company offering general contractor, construction, program, property and facilities management, real estate development and engineering and architecture services.

Admirable trait: Kitchell is a diversified building company that has built Valley landmarks including Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Scottsdale Fashion Square and Hotel Valley Ho. Kitchell is also dedicated to community investment with the Kitchell Foundation, which has granted hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to nonprofits in communities where they build focusing on social services and education.

AB | September - October 2020 67

Most Admired Companies 2020 MJ INSURANCE

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Michael Bill, CEO What it does: Insurance agency.

Admirable trait: MJ Insurance encourages employees to find their true purpose in life through MJYOUniversity, its employee personal and professional development program. MJ associates have access to program topics in leadership, goal setting, time management, communication, conflict, stress management and personal finance. MJ Insurance also has MJ Connect, the agency’s mentoring program and A Healthier YOU, MJ’s wellness program. The agency’s Charity of Choice to support in 2019 and 2020 was the Arizona Humane Society, which MJ supported through a holiday donation drive and volunteering.

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY

(Steve Sanghi)

MJ INSURANCE

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY

MAKE-A-WISH AMERICA

MAKE-A-WISH AMERICA

Most Admired Company: 2019, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Richard Davis, president and CEO What it does: Make-A-Wish’s vision is to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness.

Admirable trait: This year, the nonprofit created a program called “Wise and Well for WISHES,” a 60-day challenge designed to provide employees with valuable information to help them personally and professionally during the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge focused on health and wellness, personal growth and making remote work successful. Employees completed weekly challenges, short tasks or videos and were encouraged to reflect and share best practices around mental health.

68

AB | September - October 2020

Most Admired Company: 2011, 2012, 2017, 2019, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Steve Sanghi, chairman and CEO What it does: Provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions.

Admirable trait: Microchip’s culture promotes teamwork, creativity and integrity and encourages open communication at all levels.

Transparency among leadership promotes trust and supervisors have individual meetings with their employees each quarter to discuss job challenges, personal concerns and resources to be successful in their role.

Microchip provides employees with continuous growth and professional development opportunities and employees have access to ondemand e-learning content and the opportunity to pursue higher education through tuition reimbursement.

AB | September - October 2020 69

Most Admired Companies 2020 PIONEER TITLE AGENCY

MORTENSON

Most Admired Company: 2018-2020 Top Arizona executive: Benjamin Goetter, vice president and general manager What it does: Design-build, project development, turn-key development, general construction, construction and program development.

Admirable trait: Mortenson is a community partner and has donated nearly $250,000 to local nonprofits annually. Mortenson is committed to diversity and inclusion as women make up 35 percent of Mortenson’s Phoenix team members.

Their approach to recruiting a multi-cultural workforce includes training on creating and leading a respectful workplace and the Building Inclusion and Diversity Affinity Group that plans inclusion awareness events and provides coaching to overcome biases and valuing diverse perspectives.

MORTENSON

QUARLES & BRADY

QUARLES & BRADY

Most Admired Company: 2019, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Leonardo Loo, office managing partner What it does: Full-service law firm.

Admirable trait: Quarles strives for excellence in all that it does, including the strength and diversity of attorneys and staff. The firm was honored by the Arizona Diversity Council with the first-ever Corporate DiversityFIRST Leadership Award for its accomplishments in the promotion and advancement of diversity through inclusion and strong leadership. The firm recruits at institutions with high percentages of diverse lawyers and attends minority job fairs. Quarles also has minority scholarships and internships to develop potential talent.

70

AB | September - October 2020

Most Admired Company: 2018, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Keith Newlon, president What it does: Insurance agency focusing on title insurance, escrow, trustee sales and builderrelated trust services.

Admirable trait: Pioneer empowers management and staff to take active roles in the communities where they live and work. Pioneer invests about $500,000 in donations and sponsorships to Arizona schools, higher education, charities and community organizations yearly.

The company also has their “Old School” program, where employees and/or branches come up with ideas on how to support schools through fundraising and volunteer efforts based on need in their communities.

PIONEER TITLE AGENCY

AB | September - October 2020 71

Most Admired Companies 2020 SMALL GIANTS

SMALL GIANTS

STORE CAPITAL

STORE CAPITAL

Most Admired Company: 2018, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Chris Volk, president and CEO What it does: Net-lease real estate investment trust providing acquisition, investment and management of single tenant operational real estate.

Admirable trait: STORE’s Board Chairman Morton H. Fleischer founded the Fleischer Scholars Program which operates at ASU and Washington University in St. Louis.

The program provides high school students with limited financial resources, are from underrepresented populations, and/or are first generation students with a week-long educational experience that helps them prepare for college and their careers through academic and business career opportunities and building leadership and communication skills.

72

AB | September - October 2020

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Danielle Feroleto, founder and president What it does: Full-service agency offering creative and strategic marketing solutions for the commercial real estate industry.

Admirable trait: Small Giants is a Certified Women-Owned Business and has found opportunities to set female leadership as an example for the industry to hire and promote women. To increase female influence in commercial real estate, 19 out of their 24 employees are women who are engaged and involved with more than 24 industry organizations and associations across the Valley.

Employees dedicate over 600 volunteer hours annually to various organizations.

SPEAR EDUCATION

SPEAR EDUCATION

Most Admired Company: 2019, 2020 Top Arizona executive: Kaleim Manji, CEO What it does: Provider of multi-platform continuing education and practice growth resources for dental professionals.

Admirable trait: Spear’s Open Wide Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing lasting change to the state of oral health in underserved communities worldwide. Open Wide establishes clinics in places where previously no access was available and provides resources to local dentists providing services to the local community. Open Wide clinics are completed with modern equipment donated by industry partners and individual donors and stocked with supplies, making it possible to provide preventive and restorative care.

Start your day with AZ Big Media!

BIG News is your daily source for business, real estate, home and travel. Let us know your interests, and we’ll deliver the latest news directly to your inbox. Subscribe today and stay in the know!

AB | September - October 2020 73

Most Admired Companies 2020 SUNDT CONSTRUCTION

Most Admired Company: 2010-2020 Top Arizona executive: G. Michael Hoover, president and CEO What it does: General contractor.

Admirable trait: All the construction projects Sundt works on have an accompanying volunteer activity that benefits a local charity. This year, the company’s bottled water bottle drive collected 500,000 bottles, which will be used to assist the homeless in the Valley. Sundt is also moving forward with sustainability in mind: employees who bike to work are rewarded, equipment is using biodiesel or low-sulfur fuel and recycling programs have been implemented in offices and on jobsites.

SUNDT CONSTRUCTION

SUNTEC CONCRETE

SUNTEC CONCRETE

TERROS HEALTH

TERROS HEALTH

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Peggy Chase, president and CEO What it does: Healthcare company specializing in mental health and substance-use treatment.

Admirable trait: Some Terros employees have experienced mental health challenges and over half of its board are former patients, which creates a deeply committed workforce that sees over 50,000 people each year. The company is currently working on launching Cafe 27, which will support youth and adolescent substance-use treatment. Terros is dedicated to educating the community and the staff routinely leads discussions at conferences, panels and boards.

74

AB | September - October 2020

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Jerry Barnier, founder What it does: Largest commercial concrete company in the Southwest.

Admirable trait: Suntec is involved with education in a variety of ways. It runs an apprentice program that trains people to be contractors or cement masons in three to four years. With Arizona State University, it created two scholarships and an internship opportunity. Annually, Suntec puts on a teacher appreciation program, through which employees can nominate local impactful teachers who are then recognized. The company also supports organizations that promote teachers and careers in construction.

AB | September - October 2020 75

Most Admired Companies 2020 VANGUARD

UNITEDHEALTHCARE

Most Admired Company: 2010-2020 Top Arizona executive: Heather Kane, CEO UnitedHealthcare of Arizona What it does: Healthcare insurance provider for individuals, families and employers.

Admirable trait: UnitedHealthcare makes it easy for its members to get care via technology. With Advocate4Me, a one-stop care program, users are matched with an expert who is there to guide them and answer any questions they might have, from care options to benefits. Rally is a website and app that offers self-care tips on everyday health-related subjects such as eating and exercise; and Virtual Visits with doctors are available 24/7.

UNITEDHEALTHCARE

Most Admired Company: 2011, 2013-2020 Top Arizona executive: Bridget Olesiewicz, principal What it does: Investment management company and largest provider of mutual funds.

Admirable trait: Recently Vanguard debuted the Hometown Grants program, which donates to local nonprofits; since then the firm has contributed to over a dozen charities in the state.

Every year, Vanguard donates the 300 pounds of produce grown in its Arizona community garden.

Last year, to boost innovation, creativity and collaboration, Vanguard ran a Discovery Challenge and encouraged staff to submit ways technology could be used to help clients.

VOYA FINANCIAL

VOYA FINANCIAL

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: Paul Ondrejka, Chandler site leader What it does: Financial investment and management company, specializing in retirement.

Admirable trait: At Voya, how things are accomplished is just as important as what is accomplished. Ethics are important and there are a number of ways in which the company enables that ideal. Voya’s annual Ethics Awareness Week is dedicated to raising awareness and educating staff on the company’s policies; it includes an anonymous ethics hotline employees can call to share issues and concerns if they have questions about something that’s amiss.

76

AB | September - October 2020

VANGUARD

AB | September - October 2020 77

Get your NEWS on the GO

azBIGmedia.com is mobile friendly

azBIGmedia.com 78

AB | September - October 2020

602.277.6045

AB | September - October 2020 79

Most Admired Companies 2020

WaFd Bank Arizona

WaFd BANK ARIZONA

Most Admired Company: 2017-2020 Top Arizona executive: Mike Brown, regional president What it does: Bank that focuses on lending, real estate financing and business banking.

Admirable trait: WaFd is working to improve financial literacy and has partnered with education technology company Everfi to develop and distribute a financial education curriculum. The BankFinancial Scholars program uses cutting-edge media to teach high school students about 401(k) plans, credit scores, stocks and other important concepts.

The program is in six Arizona schools and has graduated over 1,500 local students. WaFd also leads financial education in elementary and middle schools with a platform that encourages saving.

80

AB | September - October 2020

WAYMO

WAYMO

Most Admired Company: 2020 Top Arizona executive: John Krafcik, CEO What it does: Self-driving technology company.

Admirable trait: Working to advance the capabilities of self-driving cars, Waymo is in uncharted territory. In Arizona in 2018, Waymo launched the world’s first commercial self-driving service, called Waymo One. Waymo One allows users to call a self-driving car to take them wherever they need to go in the East Valley. The vehicles have trained operators in them to serve as backup if necessary.

Now, users can opt to hail a self-driving vehicle with no human operator. Waymo is also working to develop long-haul trucking and delivery systems.

WILLMENG CONSTRUCTION

WILLMENG CONSTRUCTION

Most Admired Company: 2018, 2020 Top Arizona executive: James Murphy, CEO What it does: Commercial general contractor specializing in ground-up and tenant improvement projects.

Admirable trait: Providing an excellent workplace culture is one of Willmeng’s priorities. The firm’s leadership team values being good stewards to employees and their families. This is exemplified in its annual, all-expenses-paid, companywide retreat in northern Arizona.

Staff is invited to bring their families for a few days of fun activities, from horseback riding to fishing to employee recognition. Beyond that, some employees participate in company sports teams or get together to volunteer.

2020-2021 // AZBio.org

AB | September - October 2020 81

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

A DIFFERENT KIND OF YEAR

By JOAN KOERBER-WALKER

O

ver two decades ago, people in Arizona committed to investing to build our state’s bioscience and healthcare sector. Arizonans kept that commitment through good times and rough times. The result is today’s hospital systems, private research institutes, universities and medical schools. We trained, attracted, and retained our talent base, growing our workforce year after year. We built up our labs and research centers, trained scientists, and medical professionals, started new businesses, and invested in them so they could grow.

Arizona’s biotech, medtech, and healthcare industries are made up of over 300,000 Arizonans who work to help us stay healthy and support us when challenges arise Our hospital systems have also grown dramatically over the last two decades, more than doubling the number of skilled healthcare professionals. The non-hospital bioscience job growth rate was 15 percent between 2016 and 2018 in Arizona, more than double the national growth rate. Arizona’s hospitals are home to some of the most highly skilled healthcare teams in the country. People travel to Arizona for the best quality care and Arizonans know that these teams are ready and able to deliver the best possible care when it is needed most.

To meet the needs of Arizona’s growing population, medical schools at The University of Arizona in Phoenix and Tucson, Mayo Clinic, Midwestern University, A.T. Still, and Creighton University are training the next generation of physicians and medical professionals to help meet the needs of our growing communities.

Arizona’s biotech and medtech companies are the place where close to 30,000 life science professionals are working to develop

82

AB | September - October 2020

and deliver the tests, medical devices, and medicines our healthcare teams use to help their patients. Venture capital investment in biotech and medtech reached a 20-year high in 2019, and millions of square feet of real estate are in development to house Arizona’s growing biotech and medtech industry.

Arizona-based small businesses and university researchers were working to discover and develop new treatments and therapies thanks to some of Arizona’s highest levels of NIH funding ever. The $263 million in research funding in 2019 also set a record high for the state for the second year in a row. The public universities received $214 million, with hospitals and research institutes at $32 million and bioscience companies at $17 million. University bioscience research and development grew to $628 million at Arizona’s three public universities in 2018, a 25 percent increase between 2016 and 2018 and the highest in the state’s history. That is double the U.S. growth rate of 12 percent for the same period and double Arizona’s growth rate from 2014-16.

Arizona teams at global life science companies including BD, Celgene, part of Bristol Myers Squibb, Dexcom, Medtronic, Merz, Roche Tissue Diagnostics, and W. L. Gore deliver lifesaving innovations to help people with cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic pain and more.

Arizona’s bioscience and healthcare sectors were well positioned for even greater success in the coming decade.

Then came 2020 and COVID-19.

There are moments in history that people remember throughout their lives. They can tell you where they were and what they were doing. 2020 and COVID-19 is one of those times.

Handshakes are a thing of the past. Wearing a mask in public is a sign of social responsibility and for many of us, working from home has become the norm. Others are working diligently to use their talents on the frontlines. For many, 2020 has brought financial hardships, illness, or the loss of loved ones. Before this is over, COVID-19 will have touched all of us in one way or another. Some of us will have lost family or friends. Others will have memories of illness, of job loss, of new ways of learning, or have memories of serving in ways they never imagined possible in 2019.

Arizona’s bioscience and healthcare sector has been deeply engaged in supporting our community from the time COVID-19 began to spread and throughout the health emergency. Our research institutes have become certified to function as test labs, expanding our testing capacity across the state. Our researchers have developed new tests in record time, are working to develop new therapies and exploring how we can use existing ones. Biotech companies are developing, delivering and, in the case of new vaccines, preparing to support one of the largest global vaccination initiatives in history once a safe and effective vaccine has been approved.

The major investments Arizona’s hospitals have made in facilities and talent are now being fully deployed as our healthcare teams are meeting the challenge and serving on the front lines to help people with COVID-19 and all of the other health challenges that did not disappear when COVID-19 began to spread.

Medical innovators step up Meeting this challenge takes a global response. AZBio member companies are developing solutions to help diagnose

and treat those with COVID-19. In addition to applying their scientific expertise to find ways to diagnose, treat and prevent infections from the virus, the biopharmaceutical and medtech industry is providing financial support and in-kind donations to organizations and collaborating with U.S. and global health authorities to combat this global public health emergency.

Everyone is doing their part to save lives and to get us through this crisis.

The decade ahead When this crisis has passed, and it will, Arizona’s bioscience innovators and healthcare systems will shift back to doing what we have always done – combining business and science to make life better for people in Arizona, across the country, and around the world by discovering, developing and delivering life changing and lifesaving treatments and tools.

Arizona has the potential to become a national and global leader in the biotech and medtech industries. We will need the community’s help to realize this potential. As new innovations are developed, we need to move them forward. This will require funding for development, clinical trials, and all of the investments that make “miracles” possible.

AZBio is working to build a new model that will help fund early stage life science innovation in Arizona forever. It is the kind of big idea that Arizonans can get behind and that can make a lasting difference, just as our big idea to build a bioscience sector 20 years ago is paying off today. We call it AZAdvances because that is what Arizonans do and what Arizonans create when we work together.

AB | September - October 2020 83

ARIZONA BIOSCIENCE WEEK 2020 CO N N ECT // E NG AG E // CO L L A BO R ATE

September 13-19, 2020 www.azbio.org/azbw2020 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Celebrating 15 Years of Impact

Discovering New Medicines in Arizona Summit

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL BROADCAST EVENT on CW61, ABC15, and YouTube/AZBio1

The Discovering New Medicines in Arizona Summit will highlight key areas of research in discovering effective drug candidates in prevalent diseases in Arizona while establishing collaborations that enable success in these key areas.

A celebration of Arizona’s leading Educators, Innovators and Companies.

A catalyst in the development of new tools and approaches to advance regulatory science and medical product development, Tucson-based Critical Path Institute has been leading teams that share data, knowledge and expertise resulting in sound, consensus-based science for more than 15 years.

This is a free event that is available to signup for via your AZBW app after registration.

Presented by the ARIZONA CENTER FOR DRUG DISCOVERY and the UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA CANCER CENTER

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

This is a free virtual event that is available to signup for via your AZBW app after registration.

The Path Forward Life science leaders will provide updates on the latest status of COVID-19 innovations as we work to protect our community followed by a discussion with Arizona Legislative Leaders as they share their thoughts on what we need to do to keep moving forward.

This is a free event that is available to signup for via your AZBW app after registration.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Leading Women – Biotech and Beyond Kick off AZBW 2020 in style and meet some of our community’s thought leaders at this virtual happy hour hosted by Perkins Coie Phoenix.

Join us for an inspirational conversation and the AZBW 2020 Kick Off on September 14, 2020 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. This is a free event that is available to signup for via your AZBW app after registration.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Celebrating Life & Science

2020 has been a year of challenges. Join us for an inspirational celebration of the healthcare workers, researchers, innovators and educators who are working together to make life better for all of us.

How to Watch: September 16: 7:00 - 8:00 PM on CW61 September 16: 7:00 PM on YouTube.com/AZBio1 September 18: 12:07 AM Friday Late Night on ABC15

Investing in Life Changing Innovations THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 White Hat Life Science Investor Conference Developing Our Next Generation Join us to meet a new generation of biotech and healthcare pioneers at White Hat Investors 2020, the biotech and healthcare investor conference that showcases the best of the Rocky Mountain & Southwest Region on September 15 & 16, 2020 at the high point of Arizona Bioscience Week. This event requires registration separately.

AZ INTERNSHIP SUMMIT: INDUSTRY & EDUCATION MOVING FORWARD

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

White Hat Life Science Investor Conference

The Importance of Inclusion and Diversity in Clinical Trials

Join the conversation on how we can foster the next generation of life science researchers and innovators.

This is a free virtual event that is available to signup for via your AZBW app after registration.

Investing in Life Changing Innovations Overcoming Critical Barriers Join us to meet a new generation of biotech and healthcare pioneers at White Hat Investors 2020, the biotech and healthcare investor conference that showcases the best of the Rocky Mountain & Southwest Region on September 15 & 16, 2020 at the high point of Arizona Bioscience Week. This event requires registration separately.

Join the conversation on how we can foster greater diversity in our industry, inclusion in our operations, and understanding across our community.

This is a free virtual event that is available to signup for via your AZBW app after registration.

AB | September - October 2020 85

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

THE PATH OF

INNOVATION

By JOAN KOERBER-WALKER

A

n innovation is a new process or product that, when used, improves the human experience. Innovations take many forms and shape how we do things in a myriad of ways.

Interestingly, some of the greatest innovations of the 20th century and continuing into recent history shape how we do NOT do things. Specifically, vaccines help to protect us from getting sick.

Immunization is a global health success story, saving millions of lives every year according to the World Health Organization.

Vaccines reduce risks of getting a disease by working with your body’s natural defenses to build protection. When you get a vaccine, your immune system responds. We now have vaccines to 86

AB | September - October 2020

prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases, helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives. Immunization currently prevents 2-3 million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles.

Vaccine development is a costly and time-consuming process.

Most vaccines take between 10 and 12 years to develop. Until now, the record for developing a new vaccine was four years.

Maurice Hilleman, a biomedical scientist at Merck, began the process of developing the mumps vaccine with samples of the virus taken from his young daughter Jeryl Lynn in 1963 when she came down with the mumps. Over the next months, the virus

Today, as COVID-19 is impacting the lives of people around the globe, the call for a specific innovation, a vaccine to protect us from COVID-19, is getting louder. Governments and industry, working in partnership, are responding to the call. Research teams around the world are working to develop a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, using a mix of traditional processes and new technologies. Massive investments in research and development are driving the development of 47 different vaccine candidates according to the RAPs COVID-19 vaccine tracker. There are currently 29 vaccines being tested in multiple human trials, running simultaneously around the world.

Among these, six vaccines are being tested in seven Phase 3 trials.

Operation Warp Speed, a partnership among components of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and the Department of Defense (DoD), is leading the U.S. Government side of the partnership with vaccine developers to speed up this process for both the development of the vaccines and preparing our manufacturing capabilities so that when safe and effective vaccines are ready, we can get them to people in the US and around the world as quickly as possible.

was systematically “weakened” in the lab prior to developing a vaccine that was ready for human trials. Jeryl Lynn was on-hand when her little sister Kirsten received the vaccine that originated from her big sister as part of the clinical trial in 1965. Human trials were carried out over the next two years, and the vaccine was licensed by Merck in December 1967. One of the most prolific vaccine developers in history, Dr. Hilleman developed 40 vaccines including the ones that protect us from chickenpox, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, pneumococcus, meningococcus, measles, mumps and rubella. He was also the first person to combine viral vaccines when he created the MMR vaccine.

The Most Important Step Starts with YOU. An innovation is a new process or product that, when used, improves the human experience. No vaccine can help our body to fight off a virus or protect us from a vaccine-preventable disease if we do not get vaccinated.

This fall, one test of how each of us will step up to protect our own health and the health of others will be how many of us get our flu vaccine. During the 2018-2019 flu season, the CDC reports that flu vaccinations overall among adults older than 18 years old, the coverage was 45.3 percent in the United States and 42.6 percent in Arizona. Data for children, ages six months to 17, was measured at 62.6 percent nationally and 55.9 percent in Arizona.

A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu, which sends more than 200,000 people to the hospital each year. This fall, as the 2020-2021 flu season begins, we will not yet have the benefit of widely available COVID-19 vaccine, but, we will have the opportunity to get vaccinated for the flu. By doing so, we protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. The flu shot is not 100 percent effective since it is based on last year’s most common flu strains, but according to the CDC, flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu.

Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year. For example, during 2017-2018, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 6.2 million influenza illnesses, 3.2 AB | September - October 2020 87

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION million influenza-associated medical visits, 91,000 influenzaassociated hospitalizations, and 5,700 influenza-associated deaths. During seasons when the flu vaccine viruses are similar to circulating flu viruses, flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor with flu by 40 percent to 60 percent. Flu vaccination can also reduce the risk of fluassociated hospitalization for children, working age adults, and older adults. For example, during 2017-2018, the CDC reports that flu vaccination prevented an estimated 91,000 flu-related hospitalizations.

In 2020, we have experienced shut downs, closures, and other hardships, as we worked to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that we have the hospital capacity to care for people with COVID-19 and other critical health challenges.

Now, this fall, we can do something critically important. We can get our flu shots and make sure our children are also up to date on all of the vaccinations they may have missed due to the pandemic or other reasons. And hopefully, in the not so distant future, we will get our COVID-19 vaccination too.

Bibliography 1 https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1 2 https://hillemanfilm.com/dr-hilleman 3 https://www.raps.org/news-and-articles/news-articles/2020/3/covid-19-vaccine-tracker 4 https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/06/16/fact-sheet-explaining-operation-warp-speed.html 5 https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1819estimates.htm 6 https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm

CREATING A NEW VACCINE From discovery to development to delivery DEVELOPMENT OF NEW VACCINES

Exploratory stage: Researchers work with the virus to understand its behavior when it interacts with our cells and look at its genetic composition. A virus cannot reproduce by itself. Once it infects a susceptible cell it can cause the infected cell to produce more viruses.

Most viruses have either RNA or DNA as their genetic material.

Pre-clinical stage: Before a new vaccine is cleared for human trials, it is evaluated by scientists to identify potential safety concerns and to avoid possible harm to human subjects.

Clinical development: Three-phases make up this stage in the process. During Phase I, small groups of people receive the trial vaccine. In Phase II, the clinical study is expanded, and vaccine is given to people who have characteristics (such as age and physical health) like those for whom the new vaccine is intended. In Phase III, the vaccine is given to thousands of people and tested for efficacy and safety. Clinical researchers will monitor people who have been given the vaccine, and those who have not, to determine how the vaccine is working. This helps determine the vaccine’s efficacy. Clinical trial participants are also closely monitored to identify potential side effects from the vaccine. Large, Phase III Trials are designed to try and statistically model the intended population to get the most relevant data. Many vaccines undergo Phase IV formal, ongoing studies after the vaccine is approved and licensed.

Regulatory review and approval: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) is responsible for regulating vaccines in the United States. CBER gates each step of the clinical trials and approval process including: 88

AB | September - October 2020

• An investigational new drug application • Pre-licensure vaccine clinical trials • A Biologics License Application (BLA) • Inspection of the manufacturing facility • Presentation of findings to FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) • Usability testing of product labeling

MANUFACTURING

Quality control: After approving a vaccine, FDA continues to oversee its production to ensure continuing safety. Monitoring of the vaccine and of production activities, including periodic facility inspections, must continue as long as the manufacturer holds a license for the vaccine product. FDA can require a manufacturer submit the results of their own tests for potency, safety, and purity for each vaccine lot. FDA can require each manufacturer submit samples of each vaccine lot for testing.

Tracking side effects: The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national vaccine safety surveillance program cosponsored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC. VAERS collects and analyzes information from reports of adverse events (side effects) that occur after the administration of US licensed vaccines. Reports are accepted from all concerned individuals: patients, parents, healthcare providers, pharmacists, and vaccine manufacturers.

AB | September - October 2020 89

AB | September - October 2020 91

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

| 2020 |

AZBIO PIONEER AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:

Dr. Jeffrey Trent

A VISIONARY ARIZONA BIOSCIENCE PIONEER

J

effrey Trent, Ph.D., F.A.C.M.G., president and research director of the Translational Genomics Research Institute, an affiliate of City of Hope (TGen) is being honored with the 2020 AZBio Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement.

A native Phoenician, Dr. Trent’s research has provided important insights into the genetic basis of cancer. He specializes in developing and integrating novel “-omic” technologies, supporting studies of molecular changes related to cancer risk and progression.

The journey begins Dr. Trent received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in genetics from the University of Arizona, Tucson.

His career journey includes faculty positions at The University of Arizona, where he was deputy director and director for basic science of the Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center; the University of Michigan, where he held the E. Maisel Endowed Professorship in Cancer Genetics, professor of human genetics and radiation oncology, head of the Cancer Biology Division of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and deputy director and director of basic research for the Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

He also is a Diplomat of the American College of Medical Genetics.

92

AB | September - October 2020

In 1993, Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Trent were recruited to the National Institutes of Health by then Director Dr. Bernadine Healy, with Dr. Collins as the Director and Dr. Trent as Scientific Director, where he was tasked with establishing and directing the Division of Intramural Research within the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). His leadership and vision over the first decade of the NHGRI Intramural program were instrumental in establishing it as one of the premier research organizations in the world devoted to genetics and genomics.

Coming home Dr. Trent had a vision for an institute where many of the world’s leading scientists would turn breakthroughs in genetic research into medical advances benefiting patients and their families.

When he began sharing his vision with others, including leaders in his home state of Arizona, Governor Jane Dee Hull saw an opportunity. She formed the Arizona Bioinitiative Task Force to explore the opportunity of bringing TGen to Arizona as the cornerstone of its expansion into the bioscience economy.

The task force went to work, and its ardent commitment generated remarkable results. By April 2002, the task force had raised $80 million from philanthropic, business, and government supporters.

A delegation of state leaders flew to

Washington, D.C., to meet with Dr. Trent and learn first-hand the benefits of genomic research. Back in Arizona, the pieces continued to fall into place.

Early in May 2002, Governor Hull signed SB 1270 for $5 million over 10 years for genomic research. Later in the month, the Governor signed a second bill providing $25 million over five years, for a total state commitment of $30 million. The final piece to the economic puzzle fell into place on June 8, 2002, when the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community pledged $5 million. Their participation in the effort drew appreciation from across the state and across the nation. The task force had accomplished what some thought impossible: raise $90 million to establish TGen in Arizona.

The heart of the Phoenix Biomedical Campus The City of Phoenix began moving forward with its development of the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, a 15-acre research and education project located in downtown Phoenix with TGen at its heart.

TGen officially launched in June 2002 in temporary facilities and nearly 18 months after breaking ground, TGen moved into its state-of-the-art headquarters. The establishment of TGen in downtown Phoenix preceded and catalyzed what is now a massive investment by the States’ universities and other business efforts in bioscience and beyond. Today, the

biomedical campus is an integral piece of Arizona’s statewide bioscience initiative.

The city-owned Phoenix Biomedical Campus (PBC) has grown to become a 30acre, urban medical and bioscience campus with more than 1.7 million square-feet of biomedical-related research, academic, and clinical facilities with plans for more than 6 million square-feet at build out.

Partnership creates TGen North Dr. Trent has also played a pivotal role in bringing opportunities in genomics and genetics research to Flagstaff with the opening of TGen’s Pathogen and Microbiome Division (TGen North) and the partnership that created NAU’s Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics.

TGen North opened in 2007 in the Flagstaff Airport Business Park and has since more than doubled in size.

TGen North, led by Drs. David Engelthaler and Paul Keim (Regents Professor, NAU), focuses on diagnostic, analytic, forensic, ecologic and epidemiologic research of microbes important to medicine, public health and biodefense. From global risks like tuberculosis and, of course, recently for COVID-19, to ongoing local threats like Valley Fever, and from understanding the human microbiome to the human immune system.

Shaping the future of precision medicine In 2016, under Dr. Trent’s leadership, TGen became an affiliate of City of Hope in Duarte, California, to accelerate the

speed with which scientists and medical staff can convert research discoveries into cures for patients. City of Hope provides a state-of-the-art clinical setting in which to advance the scientific breakthroughs made by TGen. The alliance plays to the strengths of each organization. City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, hematologic malignancies, select solid tumors and diabetes. TGen, meanwhile, is a leader in applying genomic analysis and bioinformatics to cancer drug development. Together, City of Hope and TGen will transform the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The journey continues Dr. Jeffrey Trent is a visionary leader who has never stopped working to find answers for patients. Work in his lab focuses on the study of genetic changes related to cancer predisposition and progression. He has worked the majority of his career on melanoma, serving as the Co-Principal Investigator with Dr. Patricia LoRusso, Yale University of the Stand Up to Cancer/Melanoma Research Alliance Melanoma Dream Team. This $26M award resulting in the first “precision medicine” clinical trial that was allowed by the FDA to match treatment with genomic information for patients failing all conventional and immune treatments.

Most recently, Dr. Trent serving as co-

principal investigator with Dr. Cheryl Willman of the University of New Mexico Cancer Center, was just awarded a $20M grant from the National Cancer Institute of the NIH, to massively scale the clinical cancer sequencing for tribal communities within Arizona and New Mexico. He has other funded peer-reviewed awards across several studies in cancer ranging from ovarian cancer to recurring changes associated with canine cancer (an important model for the study of human disease), and finally funding in support of the integration of computational tools and technologies supporting uniform comprehensive processing, annotation and delivery of sequencing data from whole exome and whole genome sequencing into the care stream.

Dr. Trent has served on the editorial boards of a dozen scientific publications.

He is the author of more than 400 manuscripts in the scientific literature, numerous book chapters, invited reviews, and has given hundreds of invited lectures.

He has received numerous honors and awards and is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (F.A.C.M.G.).

AB | September - October 2020 93

94

AB | September - October 2020

AB | September - October 2020 95

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

| 2020 |

ARIZONA BIOSCIENCE COMPANY OF THE YEAR:

BD Peripheral Intervention (BDPI)

SAVING LIVES AND LIMBS

B

D Peripheral Intervention (BDPI) develops and delivers medical devices to help advance clinical therapy and treatment for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cancer, and venous disease. Each year, BDPI delivers more than 26 million products used in over 120 countries that directly benefit patients all around the world. BDPI’s innovative solutions also make a difference in the lives of Arizonans, as nearly 200,000 Arizona residents have PAD or ESKD. There are more than 37,000 new cancer cases diagnosed in Arizona each year.

Since January 2019, BDPI has launched 12 highly innovative medical devices and completed two tuck-in acquisitions, to bring new life and limb saving solutions to patients around the world including: • The Venovo™ Venous Stent System helps physicians treat patients with iliofemoral venous outflow obstruction improving both function and reducing pain.

• The Covera™ Vascular Covered Stent (U.S. AVF Indication) helps patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treating stenoses in the venous outflow of an AV fistula.

96

AB | September - October 2020

• The BD EleVation™ Breast Biopsy System is an ergonomic, handheld vacuum-assisted biopsy device that allows physicians to acquire multiple tissue samples with a single insertion enabling both an accurate diagnosis and a less invasive patient experience.

• The Caterpillar™ Arterial Embolization Device is a unique dual-action device designed to rapidly eliminate unwanted blood flow in a variety of applications including in stopping tumor growth.

• The Lutonix™ Drug-Coated Balloon Catheter opens blocked vessels in the legs and in dialysis fistula while delivering a therapeutic dose of the drug to keep them open.

• The HaloOne™ Thin-Walled Guiding Sheath is a hollow tube that is used to pass minimally invasive devices through a variety of procedures. The innovative thin-walled design allows it to essentially make every procedure less invasive and less traumatic to patients.

• Ultraverse™ PTA Dilatation Catheter is a small vessel angioplasty balloon that can be used by physicians to restore blood flow in lower extremity arteries.

• The D Curve™ Ascites Shunt is

designed to help relieve the symptoms of ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. The shunt moves ascites fluid into the circulatory system through peritoneovenous shunting (PVS), helping patients regain mobility and strength while processing the nutrients they desperately need.

“Becton Dickinson, Peripheral Intervention, and all of our employees are proud to be part of a company whose primary focus is on advancing the world of healthcare,” stated Steve Williamson, BDPI Worldwide President.

“BD Peripheral Intervention is also proud to be headquartered in Arizona, offering exceptional opportunities to talented and experienced people in the state, while actively helping to shape and give back to the communities the team calls home.”

BDPI is also a major contributor to the state of Arizona through substantial capital investments; employment opportunities; state, local and university partnerships; clinical education; and charitable contributions. BDPI employs more than 2,500 associates around the world, including 600 in their Tempe, Arizona, headquarters. BDPI has hired more than

INNOVATING TO CHANGE LIVES: BD Peripheral

Intervention hosted U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema at its Tempe headquarters to show her how the company is innovating to address public health challenges. (Provided photo)

150 employees since January 2019, of which more than 40% have earned a college degree from a university in Arizona. BDPI is focused on employing strong, diverse talent from the state of Arizona and has developed a robust talent pipeline through several key partnerships with Arizona universities. For example, BDPI has collaborated with Arizona State University on programs focused on informatics and blockchain technology and has worked with the University of Arizona Engineering School to provide funding and mentors for student capstone projects.

BDPI’s clinical education program, Advance, is also based in Tempe and serves to train physicians worldwide. Advance is committed to providing quality education to sustain the lifelong educational needs of healthcare professionals. The Advance platform brings top physicians to Arizona to broaden and further their medical knowledge with exceptional peer-to-peer education on interventional techniques that use BD’s comprehensive outcomebased solutions through the sharing of best practices, advanced techniques, and innovative technologies.

With annual revenues of approximately $1.6 billion, BDPI is proud to be part of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). As one of the largest global medical technology

companies in the world, BD is deploying its capabilities, expertise, and scale to address critical health needs related to coronavirus – from diagnostic offerings to identify COVID-19, to real-time informatics and electronic surveillance technology, to essential medical devices to support patient care. The company has supplied health care providers globally with approximately 40 million swabs for flu and COVID-19 testing, more than 2.1 million COVID-19 rapid molecular diagnostic tests on the BD MAX™ System and millions of products used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, including infusion pumps, infusion sets, and catheters. BD has developed and launched a full portfolio of COVID-19 diagnostics – in record time – to help address this urgent public health need. BD is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services, other government agencies, and institutions to provide the BD Veritor™ Plus System for Rapid Detection of SARSCoV-2. This portable, easy-to-use, easy-toread, fast, and accurate test promises to play a significant role in helping in the fight against COVID-19.

Giving back to Arizona communities: In 2019, BDPI donated nearly $450,000 to several Arizona charities, including the Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels; American Cancer Society; American Diabetes

Association; American Heart Association; AZ Recreation Center for the Handicapped; Cancer Support Community Arizona; Feeding Matters; Foundation for Service Dog Support; HopeKids; National Kidney Foundation; Pat Tillman Foundation; Planet Water Foundation; Ronald McDonald House Charities; and Valley of the Sun United Way. BDPI is proud to be a premium sponsor for Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels, AZ Cancer Society, and AZ Kidney Foundation. In addition, Steve Williamson, BDPI Worldwide President, is the acting Chairman for CEOs Against Cancer and is a member of the biotech subcommittee for the Zanjeros Council.

“The team at BD Peripheral Interventions is making life better for people in Arizona and around the world,” stated AZBio President and CEO Joan Koerber-Walker.

“BD Peripheral Interventions commitment to continuously creating innovations that improve the lives of patients and their generous support of organizations across our community are just some of the reasons that BDPI is the 2020 Arizona Bioscience Company of the Year.”

AB | September - October 2020 97

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

| 2020 |

ARIZONA BIOSCIENCE LEADER OF THE YEAR:

Joshua LaBaer, MD, PhD

LET’S GO SAVE SOME LIVES

I

n the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Joshua LaBaer, MD, PhD, executive director of the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, assembled a small band of seven volunteers to think about how ASU might contribute to neutralizing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in our community. Within a few weeks, that band grew to over 70 participants from across ASU and partner organizations to help collect needed supplies, develop clinical tests, and help with contact tracing and epidemiological modeling. LaBaer quickly repurposed existing equipment and personnel to accelerate testing, and the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust contributed resources to expand that testing capability even further.

The team launched a new ASU Biodesign Clinical Testing Laboratory (ABCTL) that immediately gained CLIA certification for testing nasopharyngeal swab samples under a FDA emergency use authorization, known technically as qPCR to accurately detect coronavirus in individuals who may have been exposed. Recognizing the need to dramatically expand the testing even further, the ABCTL was the first, and remains the only lab in the state to offer and run saliva tests for coronavirus. The ABCTL has already tested more than 50,000 people, and by the end of August, will be ready to test 16,000 people per day.

His team meets virtually seven days a week, and he ends each early morning call by saying, “Let’s go save some lives!”

Dr. Joshua LaBaer is one of the nation’s foremost investigators in the rapidly expanding field of personalized diagnostics.

His efforts focus on the discovery and validation of biomarkers — unique molecular

98

AB | September - October 2020

fingerprints of disease — which can provide early warning for those at risk of major illnesses, including cancer and diabetes.

After graduating from Washington High School in Phoenix, LaBaer attended the University of California at Berkeley as an undergraduate Regents Scholar and completed medical school and graduate school at the University of California, San Francisco, where he studied steroid regulation of DNA transcription and protein-DNA interactions. LaBaer completed his internship and medical residency at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a clinical fellowship in Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, both in Boston. He was board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology and was an Instructor and Clinical Fellow in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He came home to Arizona in 2009 when he was recruited to ASU’s Biodesign Institute to establish and lead the Biodesign Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics. Today the center has a highly multidisciplinary staff of molecular biologists, cell biologists, biochemists, software engineers, database specialists, bioinformaticists, biostatisticians, and automation engineers working to develop precise tests that provide answers for physicians and patients.

LaBaer was named interim director of the Biodesign Institute in January of 2016 and became its executive director in April of 2017. The Biodesign Institute consists of nearly 600 faculty, staff and volunteers what come together within Biodesign’s 554,000 square-foot research facilities.

During his career, LaBaer has made substantial scientific impacts in the rapidly

expanding field of personalized diagnostics.

His efforts focus on the discovery and validation of biomarkers, which can provide early evidence for risk of major illnesses.

As a highly regarded scientist, LaBaer has linked his biochemistry skills to his creative role as a physician researcher. Under his direction, a team of researchers invented a novel protein microarray technology, Nucleic Acid Programmable Protein Array. NAPPA has been used widely for biomedical research, including his team’s discovery of a panel of 28 autoantibody biomarkers used to aid in the early diagnosis of breast cancer.

In addition to this work, LaBaer and his team developed one of the first tests to be able to determine how much radiation has been absorbed by a person exposed to a radiological event for BARDA, the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. His team’s work was an innovation over existing tests which were only skindeep—able only to measure how much radiation is on a person’s skin, not much has been absorbed by their organs. LaBaer and his team demonstrated their capability to process 2,400 samples in 24 hours.

LaBaer holds eight patents and has launched three companies, including Auguron (2006), Tango Biosciences (2016) and Ordinatrix (2018).

“Dr. Joshua LaBaer is being honored with the Jon W. McGarity Arizona Bioscience Leader of the Year Award by AZBio for his ability to bring teams together to address some of our greatest health challenges,” stated AZBio President and CEO Joan Koerber-Walker. “His call to action ‘Let’s go save some lives’ is more than just words. It exemplifies the mission he pursues each day and how he inspires others to embrace the mission and join him on the journey.”

AB | September - October 2020 99

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

| 2020 |

ARIZONA BIOSCIENCE RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR:

Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown

USING HEALTHY BACTERIA TO ADDRESS GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

R

osa Krajmalnik-Brown is the director of the Biodesign Center for Health through Microbiomes, faculty in the Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Engineering, and a professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment at the Arizona State University.

She specializes in molecular microbial ecology for bioremediation, the use of microbial systems for bioenergy production and the human intestinal microbial ecology and its relationship to obesity, bariatric surgery and autism. Notably, KrajmalnikBrown was instrumental in identifying differences in the microorganisms that inhabit the guts of children with autism vs. typically developing children.

“Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown defines what it means to be a pioneer at the frontier of research in environmental engineering and science” stated Joan Koerber-Walker, president and CEO of AZBio. “For her ground breaking work and her deep commitment to finding answers to some of our most challenging scientific questions, she has been named the 2020 Arizona Bioscience Researcher of the Year.”

In a 2017 study, she investigated the impact of a treatment that included intensive microbiota transfer therapy for children with autism. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reduced 80 percent and autism-related symptoms improved 25 percent, with benefits continuing 8 weeks after treatment ended. Furthermore, two

100

AB | September - October 2020

years later most of the GI benefits remained, and improvements to autism behaviors were even greater.

The FDA awarded “FastTrack” status to this novel treatment, and it may become the first FDA-approved treatment for the core symptoms of autism.

The transplants repopulated the intestines with healthy bacteria, increased microbial diversity, and overall normalized the gut bacteria.

Krajmalnik-Brown and her collaborators have published nearly a half-dozen studies on autism and microbiome in peer-reviewed journals. Krajmalnik-Brown’s substantial and impactful work in environmental engineering and microbial ecology has significantly advanced understanding of applications related to water, energy and human health. Utilizing leading-edge genomic and metabolomics tools, she and her research team are developing the means to manage microorganisms in such a way that they produce desired outcomes to advance environmental sustainability and improve human-health.

Krajmalnik-Brown’s success is derived from her recognition of the power that comes from tapping the potential provided by microbial communities, which work as teams that “live well” by exploiting resources that are inaccessible to large, complex organisms.

Her approach is revolutionizing how the medical profession understands the microbial communities that reside in us, and

it is catapulting environmental engineering into the arena of directly improving human health.

A hallmark of Krajmalnik-Brown’s research is that she uses a wide array of complementary techniques beyond molecular methods. She avoids the trap of being a “one-trick pony” by assaying chemical and electrochemical data, computing electron balances, and exploiting experimental co-cultures.

All of this makes it possible for her to gain a deep, big-picture understanding of how structure and function work together in microbial communities.

Combining techniques is what has allowed her to become the international leader at identifying practically important syntrophies, relationships in which each two microbial types require that the other be present and functioning. Together, both live well; apart, neither can survive.

Thanks in large part to KrajmalnikBrown’s innovative methods and strategies, she is able to work at the leading edge of many fields of clear importance to environmental engineering, life sciences and biotechnology.

She has published 103 peer-reviewed articles, holds four patents, and has been recognized for her contributions with highlevel awards including Distinguished Alumni from her undergraduate Institution (UAMMexico) 2019, ASU Faculty Exemplar (2016), Phoenix Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” (2012) and an NSF Early Career Award (2011). She applies the latest tools, makes fundamental and practical advancements to technologies and takes environmental engineering into wholly new areas.

AB | September - October 2020 101

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

| 2020 |

MICHAEL A. CUSANOVICH ARIZONA BIOSCIENCE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR:

Carl Yamashiro, PhD

LEARNING ABOUT THE POWER OF DIAGNOSTICS

D

iagnostic tests are an essential tool in our wellness toolbox. They help individuals make better health decisions and guide our healthcare teams towards the methods and treatments that keep us well and help determine treatments when health challenges arise.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, conversations about testing have migrated from the realms of medicine and science to become part of a global conversation about the need for actionable health information.

“Past, current, and future developments in diagnostics are helping to shape how we correctly identify the risk or presence of disease,” stated Joan Koerber-Walker, president and CEO of AZBio. “For his ongoing work to prepare scientists, healthcare teams, and industry executives to leverage the power of diagnostics to deliver better health solutions, Carl Yamashiro, PhD has been named the Michael A. Cusanovich Arizona Bioscience Educator of the Year.”

Some of Yamashiro’s accomplishments include: • Developing a successful Applied Project program engaging companies in Arizona, as well as others from around the world (providing awareness of ASU

102

AB | September - October 2020

and Arizona as a leader in diagnostics) • Graduating over 200 students, many of whom have since gone on to become contributors and leaders in the diagnostics industry, including a CEO of an Arizona company, vice presidents, directors, and many other management positions.

“Carl Yamashiro provided key contributions to the overall curriculum for the Arizona State University Biomedical Diagnostics MS degree program over six years that is unique globally,” shared George Runger, PhD, director for centers of excellence and professor of biomedical informatics within Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions.

Yamashiro is an Associate Clinical Professor and the Program Coordinator for Biomedical Diagnostics MS degree program in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University.

One of Yamashiro’s passions is entrepreneurship. He works closely with industry to ensure that his students graduate with the knowledge they will need to succeed in this rapidly evolving field.

The MS in Biomedical Diagnostics Master’s Degree program he co-created at Arizona State University, and the Applied

Projects program Yamashiro pioneered are designed to engage students on real-world projects. Since launching in 2014, the BMD Applied Research program has partnered with 40 organizations and institutions to offer students a unique real-world experience and building a collaborative bridge with industry.

“I have worked with Carl Yamashiro for several years co-instructing ASU’s Biomedical Diagnostics Applied Projects course,” shared Chris Yoo, CEO of Systems Oncology. “He has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and genuine interest in teaching students about healthcare & life sciences, their potential careers in the industry, and how to learn key skills for embarking on their careers. Even in this COVID-19 crisis era, he hasn’t missed a beat.”

Yamashiro’s innovative approach towards training participants from industry and academia resulted in an Early Detection of Cancer Summer School at University of Cambridge in the summer of 2019 and Oregon Health Science University this summer as a totally virtual event with an activity called “Envisioning New Diagnostics.” Similar summer school session will be held next summer at the University of Manchester.

AB | September - October 2020 103

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

| 2020 |

AZBIO FAST LANE HONOREE:

FABRIC

APPLYING SKILLS AND TALENTS IN A NEW WAY

F

ounded in 2016, FABRIC, the Fashion And Business Resource Innovation Center, is a place where local fashion designers and brands came together for education/consulting, design development, no-minimum manufacturing, branding, marketing, business assistance, office/studio space, event space, sourcing, an industry directory, and more, all under one roof. In partnership with its 501-c3 non-profit, The FABRIC Foundation, whose mission is to sustainably grow AZ’s fashion industry, FABRIC has supported nearly 500 apparel entrepreneurs.

In mid-March of 2020, when the pandemic hit and PPE shortages made headlines, FABRIC received countless requests to provide PPE items to healthcare facilities and first responders.

“We realized that FABRIC had the fundamentals in place to deliver,” added FABRIC co-founder Sherri Barry.

“FABRIC assembled a team, hired an FDA consultant, sourced and secured reusable medical-grade materials, acquired additional equipment and staff, implemented lean manufacturing practices, worked with doctors on design features, and began to create safe, effective, FDA-approved, reusable, level 2 and 3 isolation gowns with custom specifications for each hospital organization.”

An affordable alternative to disposable PPE, these gowns provide a sustainable solution for the healthcare community.

They can be washed 100 times making the per-use price lower than a disposable gown, including the price-per-wash, and

104

AB | September - October 2020

they are supplied to the healthcare facility directly from the manufacturer and not from a wholesale supplier.

According to FABRIC co-founder Angela Johnson, “in four months, FABRIC has delivered approximately 100,000 reusable isolation gowns to large and small healthcare facilities in Arizona. Since each gown can withstand 100 washes, this is the equivalent of 10,000,000 disposable isolation gowns.”

“Our ability to achieve this was truly a community effort,” stated The FABRIC Foundation’s executive director Leslie Lange. “Medical Doctors and fashion designers worked together on the design.

Our customers worked with us to help us procure specialized materials and the State of Arizona stepped up to help get them delivered. A GoFundMe campaign supported by donations from people and organizations across the community added the capital needed to purchase the additional sewing machines and other equipment needed to ramp up production.”

From these efforts, Reusa, the PPE division of FABRIC, was born.

The COVID-19 pandemic has done more than impact the lives of people and businesses around the world. It has also stressed some of the weaker links in our global supply chain for essential healthcare products. FABRIC’s team, through its Reusa brand, has grown to nearly 100 employees and is making approximately 15,000 gowns per week. It is now working to expand its operations so that Arizona will be home to ongoing production of essential medical apparel long after the COVID-19 Pandemic takes its place in the history books.

“FABRIC is being honored with a 2020 AZBio Fast Lane Award for their graceful pivot from the runway to the less glamorous but essential role of medical products manufacturing in just a few months,” stated AZBio President and CEO Joan Koerber-Walker. “This award is just a small way to say thank you to every FABRIC team member that used their talents and skills in a new way to design and deliver the essential personal protective equipment our healthcare workers and first responders need.”

AB | September - October 2020 105

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

| 2020 |

AZBIO FAST LANE HONOREE:

GenoSensor

THE QUEST FOR A COVID-19 TEST

B

eginning in the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, GenoSensor Corporation began working with its international and U.S. colleagues to develop a highly sensitive and highly specific diagnostic test that could provide healthcare teams and public health professionals with the diagnostic data they need to determine who was infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

A genomic technology company based in Tempe, Arizona, GenoSensor develops and delivers products and services for genomic research, drug discovery, predisposition gene screening, therapeutic assessment, and other bioscience applications.

GenoSensor has been supporting researchers, educators, and laboratories since 2003.

“GenoSensor’s team focuses on genomic technologies to provide complete solutions for gene profiling and screening for all life science applications,” stated Dr. James Xia, founder and president of GenoSensor Corporation. “By integrating our highthroughput laboratory, microarray and bioassay fabrication facilities with our scientific relationships, GenoSensor was uniquely positioned to address this challenge.”

On April 16,2020, GenoSensor’s GS™ COVID-19 RT-PCR KIT was the first COVID-19 IVD Test Kit developed and manufactured by an Arizona company to receive an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The GS™ COVID-19 RT-PCR KIT provides accurate, reproducible, high-quality results for

106

AB | September - October 2020

clinical decision-making for patients with suspected COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection.

What is an FDA EUA? The GS™ COVID-19 RT-PCR KIT has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. However, it has been authorized by the FDA under an EUA. During a public health emergency, like the current COVID-19 Pandemic, the FDA uses its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority to allow the use of unapproved medical products, or unapproved uses of approved medical products, to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases when certain criteria are met, including that there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. A test, medicine, or device is then authorized only for this specific purpose, in in this case, the detection of RNA from SARS-CoV-2 virus to aid in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, not for any other viruses or pathogens. Products authorized under an EUA are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner by the FDA. What does the GS™ COVID-19 RT-PCR KIT do?

The GS™ COVID-19 RT-PCR test is a molecular test specifically detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The test is intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acids from SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples from

patients who meet the CDC SARS-CoV-2 clinical criteria and is intended for use by trained clinical laboratory personnel.

GenoSensor’s COVID-19 test kit assays 3 target genes unique to SARS-CoV-2 having higher specificity and exhibiting lower risk for mutation. The GS™ COVID-19 RT-PCR test runs on the Applied Biosystems™ 7500 Fast Dx Real-Time PCR Instrument and provides test results in less than 90 minutes.

“The rapid spread of COVID-19 around the globe has required our life science innovators to quickly respond to the needs of public health and healthcare professionals with high quality diagnostic tests,” stated AZBio President and CEO Joan Koerber-Walker. “GenoSensor Corporation is being honored with a 2020 AZBio Fast Lane Award for their ability to meet this need in record time.”

“We are grateful to the FDA for their assistance and for this Emergency Use Authorization.” stated Xia. “We also greatly appreciate the support we have received from members of our Arizona bioscience community throughout this process.”

For more information about GenoSensor Corporation and for Instructions for use of the GS™ COVID-19 RT-PCR KIT, the FDA EUA letter, and other documentation, visit genosensorcorp.com.

AB | September - October 2020 107

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

| 2020 |

AZBIO FAST LANE HONOREE:

Systems Oncology

SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY IS USING AI TO INNOVATE DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT

W

orking to discover a new drug is one of the most challenging scientific pursuits. The Human Genome Project promised to accelerate our understanding of humans and to uncover the genetic basis of diseases. In the case of cancers however, complex multiple genomic changes occur as cancer cells evolve, and these gene changes cooperate in complex control systems that are not fully understood yet. The numbers of ways the multitude of molecular changes in cancer genomes can interact in complex cellular control systems is larger than the number of stars in the universe, and far beyond what the human imagination can process or comprehend.

Systems Oncology (SO) has taken on that important challenge using a next-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform for translating massively complex scientific data into useful biological insights and novel cancer therapies with unprecedented speed, scale, and precision. SO’s team of worldclass experts come from fields ranging from mathematics and AI to cancer systems biology to combine multi-scalar systems modeling with machine learning and bigdata. This unique combination of talent and technology has successfully uncovered multiple breakthrough therapeutic insights into cancer biology. The SO team then draws on its deep scientific and clinical experience to translate those novel insights to discover and develop innovative therapeutics with curative potential.

108

AB | September - October 2020

Today, SO is managing a rapidly growing pipeline of more than 10 innovative cancer therapeutic programs, many of which are being developed collaboratively through partnerships with leading academic partners worldwide. They then form industry partnerships with pharmaceutical companies who advance the programs through regulatory and commercialization success. One example of this is an outlicensing collaboration with Toray, a public Japanese company, on a novel drug that is projected to be effective across many cancer indications. SO is currently in negotiations with one of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world to advance a very promising breast cancer drug into the clinic.

SO has earned a reputation as a top AI-drug discovery company. The team has been invited to present at prestigious conferences and SO has been featured in multiple industry reports.

As SO’s reputation has grown, so has the impact in the industry. In 2019, the

company moved its headquarters to the Biomedical Collaborative Research Building in Scottsdale, Arizona to house its growing team and to expand its research infrastructure and capacity.

A major investment from The Pritzker Organization is helping to support the company’s growth and its rapidly expanding pipeline of innovative cancer therapeutics.

“We have made tremendous advances in cancer treatment in the last 20 years, but for all of our progress, there are still too many cancer patients waiting for us to discover the precise treatment that will be effective for their unique cancer,” stated AZBio President and CEO Joan Koerber-Walker. “Systems Oncology is being honored with a 2020 AZBio Fast Lane Award for their ability to speed up the process of identifying promising new treatments so that in the future we will have the more effective medicines available when patients need them.”

Learn more at systemsoncology.com.

AB | September - October 2020 109

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Building a home for the biosciences

By JOAN KOERBER-WALKER

F

or many of us, 2020 was the year when working from home and virtual meetings became the norm, but when it comes to discovering, developing and delivering state of the art medtech and bio pharmaceutical products and services, you need highly specialized facilities where life science innovators can do what they do.

Arizona’s commitment to building its bioscience sector over the last two decades has resulted in a building boom of high

110

AB | September - October 2020

tech, LEED certified facilities across the state.

Arizona commits $1.5 billion to build University infrastructure University research is a vital component in Arizona’s life science ecosystem and to the continued development of life changing innovations that benefit Arizonans and people across the world.

World class research infrastructure also helps us attract and retain world class researchers who then collaborate with our industry locally, nationally and globally.

Beginning in 2003, Arizona made a

$500 million investment in research infrastructure. Facilities born from that investment, including ASU Biodesign, UA BIO5, the NAU Applied Research and Development Building, and others are places in Arizona where life changing innovation is discovered, developed and delivered.

In 2017, Arizona doubled down, authorizing the universities to bond $1 billion more for investments in updated and expanded research facilities.

The city-owned Phoenix Biomedical Campus (PBC) is a 30-acre, urban medical and bioscience campus that currently includes more than 1.7 million square-feet of biomedical-related research, academic,

and clinical facilities with plans for more than 6 million square-feet at build out.

All three of Arizona’s public universities have educational and research facilities on the PBC. The Biodesign Institute on Arizona State University’s Tempe Campus, including Buildings A, B and C, comprise 554,000 square feet of state-of-the-art research space on a 14-acre site house more than 1,300 faculty, staff and students. The latest addition, Building C, was completed in June 2018. The Biodesign Institute plays a critical role in advancing the research mission of Arizona State University, a comprehensive metropolitan university that is the second largest in the U.S. The Biodesign Institute focuses on use-inspired research, fuse intellectual disciplines and value entrepreneurship and represents Arizona’s single largest research infrastructure investment in the biosciences.

In Southern Arizona, the Keating Building is home to the BIO5 Institute at The University of Arizona includes 177,000 square feet with 35 laboratories staffed by nearly 400 researchers (faculty, research staff, and students) from many UA departments within multiple colleges. Funding for the facility came primarily through the State of Arizona’s investment in university

research infrastructure and from a private philanthropic gift from Thomas W. Keating.

The building is home to collaborative teams that work to develop targeted cancer drugs, understand Alzheimer’s disease, prevent and cure asthma and diabetes, develop more resistant crops, and create more nutritious food. In March of 2018, a new 172,623 square foot Bioscience Research Lab opened adjacent to the Keating Building.

Growing Commercial Centers of Innovation The Medtronic Tempe Campus is home to one of the leading life science microelectronic centers in the world.

The campus spans over 30 acres and includes over 400,000 square feet of state-of-the-art design, development and manufacturing facilities.

Not far away, IDEA Tempe is a phased development on the shores of Tempe Town Lake that focuses on bringing new biotechnology and technology companies to Tempe. The 18-acre, 1 million square foot project includes five commercial buildings with restaurant and retail space, two parking structures, as well as a 40,000 square foot arts rehearsal and classroom space. IDEA is an acronym for Innovation, Discovery, Education and Arts. The first building opened on March 6, 2020. BD, one of the world’s largest medical device companies, is the first tenant for this campus.

The Scottsdale Cure Corridor is healthcare and bio-life science industry corridor which runs east to west along Scottsdale’s Shea Boulevard and north to south along Scottsdale Road from the Scottsdale Airpark to SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. Scottsdale is home to an array of business assets in the bio-life sciences sector including AdviNow Medical, GlobalMed, Regenesis Biomedical, and Systems Onclogy, just to name a few. From education and research, to clinical trials and patient care delivery, HonorHealth and Mayo Clinic, put the cure in the Cure Corridor.

Dexcom Inc. a San Diego-based

manufacturer of continuous glucose monitoring for patients with diabetes, chose Mesa for its expanded manufacturing facility. The 180,000-square-foot facility supports the company’s global manufacturing operations.

Roche Tissue Diagnostics, an innovator of tissue-based diagnostic solutions for patients worldwide, continues to grow in Oro Valley’s Innovation Park. Roche Tissue Diagnostics provides the anatomic pathology lab with a powerful combination of instrumentation, medical value assays and digitally integrated workflow. The company provides more than 250 cancer tests and associated instruments and is the leading global supplier of cancer diagnostic systems to the pathology market.

Bayer’s smart, state-of-the-art, automated greenhouse facility in Marana, is the first of its kind for the company and the most technically advanced. The approximately $100 million facility will serve as a global product design center for corn, the only crop to be grown there.

With the new Marana greenhouses, Bayer is reimagining the way plant breeding is done and setting the standard for environmental sustainability meeting the unique challenges that farmers face.

W. L. Gore & Associates began manufacturing products in Flagstaff in 1967. Since then, their Flagstaff operations have transformed into a biomedical powerhouse and largest private employer in Northern Arizona. The company focuses on medical device research, development, and manufacturing to improve the lives of patients worldwide.

Accelerating the Growth of the Next Gen of Innovations Incubators and accelerators span the state including Moonshot@NACET in Flagstaff, the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation at GateWay Community College in Phoenix and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation and FORGE in Tucson. They are fostering the growth of next generation of Arizona innovators and provide scalable options for emerging life science leaders.

AB | September - October 2020 111

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

112

AB | September - October 2020

AB | September - October 2020 113

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

114

AB | September - October 2020

AB | September - October 2020 115

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Unprecedented

PACE OF INNOVATION Biotech companies undertake monumental campaign to combat COVID-19

By JOAN KOERBER-WALKER

I

n Arizona and around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 is changing lives, and has cost lives.

Pandemics are not unprecedented. They have occurred throughout history and as people have become more mobile, the potential for the spark of a disease outbreak and the spread of that disease from person to person and place to place increases. Historically, influenza has often been the disease considered “most likely to� spark a global pandemic, but as we have seen with Ebola, Dengue, SARS, Zika, and now COVID-19, a spark from any of these viruses can create a blaze of infection that spreads from region to country to continent and beyond.

116

AB | September - October 2020

Epidemiology is the study of how disease or other heath challenges spread, what causes them, and how we can control or prevent them.

A meteorologist will tell you that a 100year storm has a probability of one percent in any given year. It can be catastrophic, but it is not unprecedented. They cannot necessarily predict when you will get one, but they know one is brewing out on the time horizon. The key is being prepared.

Epidemiologists also knew, and told world leaders, that the probability of a catastrophic pandemic was possible, and even probable. We needed to plan and invest so that, when we needed it, we would be adequately prepared. It was just a matter

of probabilities and time before those preparations would be needed.

No country in the world was adequately prepared for COVID-19.

Unprecedented collaboration What has been unprecedented is how people have come together to address the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 is a new or novel coronavirus. We still do not fully understand this disease, but we are learning more each day. As COVID-19 began to spread, healthcare workers had only their existing medical knowledge and healthcare tool kits to create solutions for people who were becoming gravely ill.

Medical technology companies rapidly shifted manufacturing lines to ramp up production for everything from personal protective equipment (PPE) to ventilators.

Diagnostic test developers leaped to action, studying the genetics of SARS-CoV-2 and developing tests to identify who is infected and to identify who has recovered from COVID-19. Drug and biologics companies looked into their research libraries to find treatments that might be effective. Many then formed collaboration partnerships with other industry partners and governments to develop, test, and scale up manufacturing to meet the need for tests, treatments and ultimately vaccines for billions of people around the world.

Over the next few pages, we will look at some of these innovations and collaborations.

Testing “The reality is all the great drugs and treatments in the world are not useful unless you have an accurate and timely diagnosis,” according to Mara Aspinall, professor of practice at Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions and a globally respected evangelist for the power and potential of diagnostics in the quest to improved health and patient care.

With a stated goal to help companies safely move their employees back to the workplace, Arizona State University’s

College of Health Solutions and the World Economic Forum, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, created the COVID-19 Diagnostics Commons — an interactive hub for the global community to access the very latest information about testing options and to share knowledge and practices for safely bringing back and keeping employees in the workplace during the COVID-19 era. This resource can be accessed at ASUcovidcommons.com.

According to data referenced on August 27, 2020, diagnostic companies and innovators within healthcare organizations, universities, and research institutes have created and are delivering 1,597 different COVID-19 tests.

Also, in July, AdvaMed announced the creation of a comprehensive, national COVID-19 diagnostic supply registry to help state and federal governments in their pandemic responses. The national registry is being launched in partnership with 13 commercial diagnostics manufacturers: Abbott, BD, bioMérieux, Bio-Rad, Beckman Coulter, Cepheid, Hologic, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, QIAGEN, Roche Diagnostics, Sekisui Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) stated, “Our industry stepped up and, practically overnight, maximized production of the vital medical technologies and testing we need. But without Secretary Azar’s AB | September - October 2020 117

THE PACE OF INNOVATION (continued)

leadership and that of Deputy Secretary Hargan, and without the help of Commissioner Hahn and Admiral Giroir and the White House Coronavirus Task Force, our industry’s herculean efforts couldn’t have reached their full potential to save lives. We thank Secretary Azar, Deputy Secretary Hargan, Admiral Giroir, and Dr. Hahn for their commitment to improving Americans’ access to COVID testing.

“We hope this registry serves as a key tool in our fight against Covid-19. We stand ready to partner with all providers, laboratories and other key stakeholders in the testing ecosystem to collaborate with the federal and state governments to coordinate efforts to support patient care and public health. Further, we stand ready to work with our partners in the federal government on any policies that would allow this registry to better serve patients and providers in need,” Whitaker concluded.

To make a difference, testing needs to be accurate and accessible with results that are delivered quickly so that patients, businesses, healthcare providers and public health teams can take appropriate action.

When it was taking too long to get test results back in Arizona, addressing this need required a coordinated effort to scale up test capacity that included commercial test labs at Sonora Quest, Lab Corp, and others. All three of Arizona public universities assembled teams to develop

ACTIVE CLINICAL TRIALS

1,449

new tests, improve the ways patient samples are collected, and certify their labs so that Arizona’s research assets could be used to get answers for Arizonans quicker.

TGen activated their teams in Phoenix and Flagstaff to research SARS-CoV-2, develop tests, and use their resources to provide answers to at-risk populations including on the Navajo Nation and in congregate settings including Arizona prisons.

Treatments America’s biopharmaceutical companies are coming together to achieve one shared goal: to beat COVID-19. Decades of investments made in new technology, research and treatments are being deployed to find answers for patients and their healthcare teams.

By the end of August, there were 1,449 active clinical trials underway. These trials include 935 for previously approved therapies as well as novel therapies.

One example of a medicine that was created for one disease and has been tested and repurposed for COVID-19 is remdesivir. According to its manufacturer, Gilead, remdesivir was invented on a foundation of more than a decade of their research.

Over that time, Gilead research scientists explored the compound for multiple potential uses to help address urgent and unmet medical needs around the world, including Ebola, SARS, Marburg, MERS and most recently

UNIQUE THERAPIES

Source: https:phrma.org/Coronavirus/Activity-Tracker accessed 8/27/2020

120

AB | September - October 2020

477

COVID-19.

On May 1, 2020, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization for this investigational antiviral drug for the treatment of suspected or laboratoryconfirmed COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalized with severe disease.

While there is limited information known about the safety and effectiveness of using remdesivir to treat people in the hospital with COVID-19, the investigational drug was shown in a clinical trial to shorten the time to recovery in some patients according to the FDA. “FDA’s emergency authorization of remdesivir, two days after the National Institutes of Health’s clinical trial showed promising results, is a significant step forward in battling COVID-19…” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar.

“NIH, FDA, and scientists across America and around the world have worked tirelessly with patients to get us this new potential treatment for COVID-19…” continued Azar.

Government and private industry, working together, are getting treatment options to patients in record time.

Ventilators are also an essential tool that healthcare teams rely on to treat some of the sickest COVID-19 patients. Ventilators are a well-established respiratory therapy for patients experiencing respiratory distress.

In severe cases of COVID-19, a patient contracts pneumonia; the resulting fluid

UNIQUE VACCINES IN TRIAL

28

AB | September - October 2020 121

THE PACE OF INNOVATION (continued) U.S. VENTILATOR PRODUCTION GROWTH

Vaccines at ‘warp speed’ Normally, the development of a new vaccine is a long and painstaking process.

The previous record of approximately 4 years from start to finish was for the mumps vaccine.

Operation Warp Speed (OWS) has a goal to produce and deliver 300 million doses of safe and effective vaccines with the initial doses available by January 2021, 122

AB | September - October 2020

10,000 5,000-7,000 Ventilators/Week

8,000 VENTILATORS/WEEK

buildup in the lungs reduces the body’s ability to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.

Ventilators help the patient rest and breathe while their body fights the infection. But a ventilator can only help if one is available when it is needed.

Healthcare professionals and government experts were concerned, based on what was occurring in other parts of the world, that we did not have enough.

According to AdvaMed, in 2019, when tallied together, the medtech industry was manufacturing approximately 700 ventilators per week for domestic distribution. As COVID-19 cases were surging in the U.S. and around the world, respiratory device companies dramatically expanded the limits of their production capacity to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.

By May, the industry was producing on average 2,000-3,000 ventilators per week with an expectation that the companies would ramp production to unprecedented levels, producing between an aggregated 5,000 and 7,000 ventilators per week.

“This historic response is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of AdvaMed. “Across the board, our ventilator members have boosted production by more than 285 percent to meet the demands of this global crisis. Through it all, our partners in government agencies have worked hard alongside our industry to help where we’ve needed it most, speeding approvals and fast-tracking the production of these sophisticated life-saving devices so manufacturers can get them where they are needed.”

6,000 2,000 Ventilators/Week

4,000 2,000

700 Ventilators/Week

1,000 500 0 2019

FEB 2020

MAR 2020

APR 2020

MAY 2020

Source: AdvaMed https://www.advamed.org/newsroom/press-releases/tens-thousands-life-savingventilators-deck-combat-covid-19

as part of a broader strategy to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.

According to the OWS fact sheet, “OWS is a partnership among components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and the Department of Defense (DoD).

OWS engages with private firms and other federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

It will coordinate existing HHS-wide efforts, including the NIH’s Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) partnership, NIH’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative, and work by BARDA.” Industry is picking up the pace Pfizer joined forces with German biotech BioNTech to co-develop a potential messenger RNA-based (mRNA) coronavirus vaccine to prevent COVID-19.

The partnership is designed to help accelerate development of BioNTech’s potential first-in-class COVID-19 mRNA vaccine program, BNT162.

Pfizer had been working with BioNTech since 2018 to develop an mRNA influenza vaccine. This allowed the team to quickly pivot and apply their expertise and collective resources to battle COVID-19.

On July 27, 2020, the companies announced that based on extensive review of preclinical and clinical data from Phase 1/2 clinical trials, and in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) and other global regulators, Pfizer and BioNTech would advance their BNT162b2 vaccine candidate into a Phase 2/3 study.

“The initiation of the Phase 2/3 trial is a major step forward in our progress toward providing a potential vaccine to help fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and we look forward to generating additional data as the program progresses,” stated said Kathrin U. Jansen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research & Development, Pfizer in the company’s announcement.

Another example of accelerated vaccine innovation is the work of the

AB | September - October 2020 123

THE PACE OF INNOVATION (continued) BIOTECH COMPANIES ARE RESPONDING FASTER THANK EVER TO EMERGING HEALTH THREATS VACCINE DEVELOPMENT: Months from viral genetic-sequence selection to first human study: teams within the Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) family of companies. On August 5, 2020, JNJ announced that its Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies have entered into an agreement with the U.S. government for the large scale domestic manufacturing and delivery in the U.S. of 100 million doses of Janssen’s SARS-CoV-2 investigational vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S, for use in the United States following approval or Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Johnson & Johnson’s SARS-CoV-2 vaccine program leverages Janssen’s AdVac® technology. The same technology was used to develop Janssen’s European Commission-approved Ebola vaccine and to construct its HIV, RSV and Zika vaccine candidates. More than 90,000 individuals have been vaccinated to date using the Janssen AdVac®-based platform.

According to the announcement, the vaccine will be provided at a global not-forprofit basis for emergency pandemic use.

The U.S. government may also purchase an additional 200 million doses of Ad26.

COV2.S under a subsequent agreement.

“Johnson & Johnson’s global team of experts has worked tirelessly alongside BARDA and scientific partners to pursue a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that can help to stop the spread of COVID-19. We greatly appreciate the U.S. government’s confidence in, and support for, our R&D platform and efforts and the scalability of our vaccine technology. We are scaling up production in the U.S. and worldwide to deliver a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for emergency use,” said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson.

Johnson & Johnson is evaluating oneand two-dose regimens, in its clinical program and have publicly stated that they are working diligently to ensure broad, global access to the vaccine following approval or authorization by regulators and that they aim to meet their goal to supply more than one billion doses globally 124

AB | September - October 2020

0

5

10

15

20

25

SARS (2003) Influenza A/Indonesia (2006) Influenza A/California (2009) Zika virus (2016) COVID-19 Coronavirus (2019)

Note: Timeline for Wuhan virus vaccine is projected. Timelines for first four vaccines published in JAMA in 2018. Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases

through the course of 2021, provided the vaccine is safe and effective.

These are just two examples. In August of 2020, there are 178 vaccines in different stages of development.

will work under CDC’s guidance to ship COVID-19 vaccines to administration sites.

Unprecedented The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) worked with Getting vaccines to where they need to go BioCentury and Biomedtracker to create a granular, interactive view of the range On August 14, 2020, HHS and of products being developed to address DoD announced that McKesson COVID-19. The data in the BIO COVID-19 Corporation will be a central distributor Therapeutic Development Tracker (bio. of future COVID-19 vaccines and related org/policy/human-health/vaccinessupplies needed to administer the biodefense/coronavirus/pipeline-tracker) pandemic vaccinations. demonstrates that “Biopharma companies The Centers for Disease Control and — particularly small biotech companies — Prevention (CDC) is executing an existing contract option with McKesson to support are undertaking a monumental campaign to combat, and hopefully eradicate, vaccine distribution. The company also COVID-19 and that innovation is being led distributed the H1N1 vaccine during the H1N1 pandemic in 2009-2010. The current by U.S.-based companies.”

BIO and its partners update the data contract with McKesson, awarded as part each Monday. At the end of August, BIO of a competitive bidding process in 2016, reported that there were 696 unique includes an option for the distribution of compounds in development including vaccines in the event of a pandemic.

Detailed planning is underway to ensure 328 treatments, 190 antivirals, and 178 vaccines. rapid distribution as soon as the FDA This level of development, innovation, and authorizes one or more vaccines. Once collaboration is truly unprecedented. these decisions are made, McKesson

AB | September - October 2020 125

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

DISEASE

DETECTIVES

By JOAN KOERBER-WALKER

Y

ou have probably seen a TV program or movie where the police detectives find spot of blood and take it to the forensic lab to gain insights and catch a killer.

But, did you know, that we have a team of “disease detectives” at the State Test Lab that analyzes blood spots from Arizona’s newborn babies to screen for diseases or other health challenges that can be best addressed by health professionals with early interventions.

Over 90,000 babies are born in Arizona each year. Most of them are healthy but some have a rare and serious disease or hearing loss. Testing and early detection of these disorders is important for all babies. Early treatment can prevent or minimize serious symptoms like growth problems, brain damage and even death.

Newborn screening is the practice of testing all babies in their first days of life for certain disorders and conditions that can hinder their normal development or identify genetic traits that may indicate the presence of diseases where early intervention can be life changing or lifesaving. In Arizona, the first test is collected when a baby is 24-36 hours old and the second test is collected between 5 and 10 days of age or at the newborn’s first checkup.

126

AB | September - October 2020

Looking for clues What these disease detectives screen for is often determined by the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel. The RUSP is a list of disorders that the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends for states to screen as part of their state universal newborn screening (NBS) programs.

Disorders on the RUSP are chosen based on evidence that supports the potential net benefit of screening, the ability of states to screen for the disorder, and the availability of effective treatments. It is recommended that every newborn be screened for all disorders on the RUSP. What each state screens for is determined based on its review process and the structure of state laws that govern newborn screening. In some states, health departments begin the process of screening for new conditions as soon as they are added to the RUSP. Currently, Arizona screens for 31 of the 35 core disorders currently on the RUSP, including hearing loss and critical congenital heart defects. This is because Arizona law establishes the payment structure for newborn screening. New tests can be recommended but cannot be added until the legislature updates the statute and the governor signs it into law. The 31st condition that was

added to Arizona’s screening panel was SCID in 2017. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is an inherited disease that typically presents in infancy and results in profound immune deficiency condition resulting in a weak immune system that is unable to fight off even mild infections. A bill sponsored by Sen. Kate Brophy McGee in 2020 would have made it possible for two more conditions, SMA and X-ALD to be added to the screening process.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease affecting the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and voluntary muscle movement.

Adrenoleukodystrophy, or X-ALD, is a deadly genetic disease that affects 1 in 18 000 people. It most severely affects boys and men. This brain disorder destroys myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds the brain’s neurons -- the nerve cells that allow us to think and to control our muscle In the case of each of these diseases, early detection is essential and can be lifesaving.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the legislative session was cut short and the bill did not progress to become a law. Arizona’s Newborn Screening process will be a key topic again in 2021 when the legislature is once again called to order.

AB | September - October 2020 127

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

THE JOURNEY OF

PLASMA DONATION

Did you know that you have gold in your veins?

By JOAN KOERBER-WALKER

P

lasma donation has always been essential, as healthy individuals are needed to provide life-saving medicines, but COVID-19 has brought an increased focus on how everyone can help save lives by donating.

The patients Plasma therapies are used to treat individuals with bleeding disorders, primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema, inherited respiratory disease, and neurological disorders. They are also used in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation, burn treatments and to prevent hemolytic diseases in newborns.

Many donations are needed to develop these therapies. For just one year: • More than 1,200 plasma donations are needed to treat one person with hemophilia, according to the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association.

• More than 130 plasma donations are needed to treat one person with a primary immune deficiency.

Now, plasma has taken a central role in the potential treatment of COVID-19.

Plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 — known as “convalescent plasma” — could be a key part of the fight against the new coronavirus. Once convalescent plasma is donated, it can take one of two paths: be directly transfused into patients or used to make a potential medicine for COVID-19.

The plasma donor Healthy adults between ages 18 and 65 who weigh at least 110 pounds may

128

AB | September - October 2020

donate plasma. Potential donors must have a permanent address and consent to undergo a medical screening before their first donation. Two blood tests are performed before each donation (hematocrit and protein level). On the first visit they answer a comprehensive health questionnaire and undergo a brief physical examination. On subsequent visits, donors complete a shorter health questionnaire.

Plasma is only used for injectable product after two successful donations from the same donor in a six-month period.

The plasma donation process Donating plasma is simple and generally safe – much like donating blood. Once the plasma is collected, it starts a journey before becoming the main ingredient in a life-saving therapy. The process utilizes an apheresis technology like that used by blood banks to collect platelets. As a result, the red cells and other cellular constituents are returned to the donor while the liquid plasma is retained. Plasma contains many proteins that have potential therapeutic uses in both patients who lack those proteins (replacement therapy) and for disease modulation. The donation process takes about 45 to 90 minutes. During that time, blood is drawn, plasma is separated from red blood cells and collected, and then the cells and platelets are returned to the donor. Donors are compensated for this time There are nearly 900 plasma centers in the United States, with 25 in Arizona—10 of these are operated by CSL Plasma, a subsidiary of AZBio member CSL Behring.

DONOR: Ruth Sanchez, executive director of Project C.U.R.E., was a firsttime convalescent donor at the Peoria CSL Plasma Center in Arizona.

(Photo courtesy of CSL Plasma) These centers welcome donors every day of the week—including during the COVID-19 pandemic, as plasma donation is an essential critical infrastructure business.

Testing and manufacturing Samples from every plasma unit are tested for hepatitis, parvovirus and human immunodeficiency virus, and plasma units are released if all tests are negative and all other qualifying criteria are met. The frozen plasma units are then fractionated into various proteins that are further purified into therapeutic products.

Manufacturing biotherapies from plasma takes about nine months.

Ensuring product safety Safety measures for donors and patients are applied throughout the plasma collection and fractionation process: • Careful plasma donor selection and screening • Testing to detect viruses • Purification/viral reduction and elimination during manufacturing • Pharmacovigilance A plasma journey starts and ends with a single person – the donor and the patient.

Save a life and donate plasma.

AB | September - October 2020 129

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

INVESTING IN WHAT COMES NEXT

By JOAN KOERBER-WALKER

E

ach time you pay sales tax in Arizona, a small amount is invested into TRIF, the Technology & Research Initiative Fund. Part of Education 2000 (Prop. 301), TRIF investments in Arizona’s universities support the people and research projects that benefit Arizonans.

The Technology & Research Initiative Fund TRIF provides much needed funding to promote university research, development 130

AB | September - October 2020

and technology transfer related to the knowledge-based global economy. It was funded by Prop. 301 in 2000 and extended through 2041 by Governor Ducey and the Arizona Legislature as part of the Prop.

301 extension in 2018.

Arizona’s public universities received approximately $81.4 million in TRIF revenue in fiscal year 2020. The universities leveraged that investment to attract outside research funding, resulting

in $465.7 million return on investment through TRIF-related research. Total TRIF revenue received to date since the inception of the program in June 2001 is over $1.205 billion.

In April of 2020, the Milken Institute published a new report, “Examining Arizona’s Technology and Research Initiative Fund,” that analyzes TRIF’s significant impact on Arizona’s public universities and the innovation economy

the capability to commercialize new technologies and capitalized on the intellectual talent of faculty to achieve the university’s mission of enriching lives and creating opportunities for students and the communities NAU serves.

One of the most compelling examples of NAU’s successful research partnerships is the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April 2020, NAU’s Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (PMI) launched the COVID-19 Testing Service Center (CTSC). By quickly repurposing its existing biodefense research infrastructure for the new testing facility — labs rated at Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3), one of the highest levels of biocontainment — PMI dedicated much of its significant research capacity to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling both industry and nonprofit partners to test potential vaccines and treatments against the coronavirus.

As the largest research university in the state, with nearly $690 million in research expenditures, the University of Arizona is producing results that are creating impactful solutions to many global problems, preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow and contributing as one of the largest economic engines for Arizona.

“TRIF funding enables the University of Arizona to advance knowledge and its applications by investing across our institution so that we not only stimulate the highest quality thought leadership, research and scholarship, but also allow our faculty, students and staff to translate Impact throughout Arizona knowledge into impact. Now — perhaps Northern Arizona University’s TRIF more than ever — we have seen just how investments have had a meaningful impact truly transformative and impactful TRIF throughout Arizona, producing economic has been in enabling our researchers to benefits through scientific advancements, give Arizonans significant returns on their workforce training and access to higher investment as our research enterprise education. collectively pivoted to address COVID-19 In fiscal year 2020, TRIF funding has swiftly, head on and statewide. No matter enabled NAU faculty to attract a total what complex challenges come our way in the years ahead, we look forward to of $23,685,184 in external funding. continuing to leverage our TRIF dollars Beyond their economic benefits, NAU’s investments have also increased the to provide an even greater economic and university’s capacity to form successful societal benefit to our state for generations research partnerships, strengthened to come,” according to Dr. Elizabeth

in the state. The report, commissioned by the Flinn Foundation, stresses TRIF’s importance to Arizona’s continued success, citing it as a major reason for the growth of the biosciences in the state.

In fiscal year 2020, Arizona State University (ASU) leveraged TRIF investment to attract $220 million in new funding.

The value of Arizona’s long-term commitment to research and innovation has never been more apparent than during the coronavirus pandemic that began in early 2020. Researchers across ASU were able to quickly leverage TRIF-enabled technologies, expertise, and infrastructure to assist in the global crisis. For example, researchers in the Biodesign Institute pivoted automated diagnostic technology originally developed to detect radiation exposure. This technology now provides the capacity to process thousands of COVID-19 tests per day. The institute also launched the first saliva-based COVID-19 test in the western U.S., providing a safer and less invasive alternative to nasopharyngeal swabs.

TRIF-supported research also engaged 1,219 undergraduates, 2,426 graduate students and 398 post-doctoral appointees in the past fiscal year. Through innovative programs such as Practice Labs™, ASU is connecting students to companies, nonprofits, and government organizations to help solve their critical business challenges while providing hands-on professional experience and exposing students to potential employers and career paths.

Cantwell, Senior Vice President, Research and Innovation, The University of Arizona.

UArizona’s TRIF funding enabled assistantships, employment, scholarships, grants, and research experiences for 535 graduate students, 557 undergraduate students, 126 post-docs and 49 high schoolers, preparing them to enter the workforce through education and experiential learning. In addition, Michael Marty has developed the Arizona Science, Engineering and Math Scholars Veterans Program to support veteran students who are pursuing STEM degrees at UArizona and bring their skills into research labs.

What comes next You invest in TRIF, each time you pay sales tax in Arizona, and your investment is increasing our collective power to create what comes next.

When the people of Arizona voted for TRIF as part of Prop. 301 in 2000, the dedicated TRIF funding allocation as well as other allocations for K-12 education and community colleges became voterprotected under the Arizona Constitution for the 20-year term that was defined in the proposition. Governor Ducey and the Arizona Legislature worked together and extended the .6 sales tax for education through 2041, but as this was a legislative action, in 2021, that voter protection will end.

During the 2020 legislative session, Senator Kate Brophy McGee was a key evangelist for once again adding voter protection to essential education, workforce development, and TRIF research funding by again asking the legislature to put a new proposition on the Arizona ballot. COVID-19 caused the legislature to adjourn sine die before her bills could get to the finish line and the proposition will not be on the 2020 ballot.

There is more work to do to ensure that in 2022, Arizona’s voters can make their voices heard and reaffirm their commitment in investing in what, and who, comes next.

To learn more about TRIF, visit FACESofTRIF.org AB | September - October 2020 131

132

AB | September - October 2020

AB | September - October 2020 133

ARIZONA BIOINDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

AZAdvances: Moving Arizona innovations

FORWARD FASTER

By AZBio

A

team of Arizona life science leaders have set a big goal for a program designed to move Arizona innovations forward faster. When it is achieved, the result will make an even bigger impact on the lives of people in Arizona today and for generations to come.

They named it, AZAdvances™.

AZBio and the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation are working to capitalize the AZAdvances Today Fund™ and the AZAdvances Legacy Endowment™ which will provide immediate and sustainable funding to support the development and delivery of lifesaving and life changing innovations that are being created by 134

AB | September - October 2020

Arizona’s early-stage life science and medical technology companies.

Arizona has benefited from billions of dollars in philanthropic and government support that has helped to significantly increase its university research capacity and doubled the size of its healthcare delivery systems over the last two decades. Unfortunately, the levels of investment into the early-stage companies that will develop these discoveries and get them into the hands of our healthcare professionals so that they can benefit patients has not been at sufficient levels to rapidly grow these young companies.

While angel and venture capital investments in Arizona’s life science sector have grown in recent years, they have also often moved towards companies that are further down the development path. Earlystage companies are often viewed as too risky or immature by these investors and require additional support before they are ready to be added to their portfolios. This creates a challenging paradox. Without early-stage investment, it is difficult to attract the talent or complete the technology or business milestones that these young companies are expected to achieve.

“Arizona innovators are making life science discoveries with the potential to

become life changing innovations yet they develop slowly due to lack of early-stage funding needed to take them to the next step,” stated Joan Koerber, chairman of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation and president and CEO of AZBio. “AZAdvances is being developed to meet this challenge.”

Purpose and mission Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap has been the guide for the community as it has grown to become one of the top emerging bioscience states. Arizona’s bioscience sector has made significant progress in every area except one – access to early-stage capital.

The concept of AZAdvances was developed by Arizona leaders specifically to fill this gap in a way that is both strategic and sustainable.

The mission of AZAdvances™ is to provide entrepreneurial education and support, including grants and mission related investments into Arizona life science companies, that help to advance life changing and lifesaving products and services along the path from discovery to development to delivery.

How it works AZAdvances is structured as a division of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation (OTEF). An Arizona-based 501c3 public charity, OTEF was established in 2005 and provides entrepreneurial education, mentoring and support to individuals and organizations based in Arizona. Donations and other funding received for AZAdvances are maintained as separate accounts within OTEF. Grants and investments into emerging life science companies will be directed by an independent board of AZAdvances trustees made up of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and life science leaders.

Following a three-year period of best practices benchmarking, the AZAdvances team chose to model AZAdvances as a charity similar to the Wellcome Trust in

the United Kingdom. Sir Henry Wellcome, a pharmacist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and collector, died in 1936. On his death, his will established a charity for “the advancement of medical and scientific research to improve mankind’s wellbeing.”

Today, the Wellcome Trust has grown to hold £26.8 billion in assets and that funds its work. In the next five years, it is expected to spend around £5 billion helping people across the world explore great ideas making it one of the most significant supporters of life science innovation in the world.

As an independent, charitable trust, the Wellcome Trust is not tied to any specific institute, university, healthcare organization, or government. It instead supports researchers and programs at a variety of them based on the merits of the project, the potential impact, and the alignment with the Wellcome Trust mission.

This was a key decision point for the team when designing the AZAdvances structure.

By focusing on the early-stage companies that have the greatest potential for impact and mission alignment, AZAdvances decisions would not be swayed by broader or conflicting organizational priorities that can arise within more diversified organizations.

The team also recognized that long term partnerships with later stage investors would be essential. The team has been leveraging AZBio’s existing relationships and engaging nationally and locally to keep these future investors abreast of the latest developments across Arizona’s life science ecosystem and how individual companies are maturing. These relationships and the shared knowledge will help to attract additional outside investment as the companies continue to grow.

Once capitalized, the AZAdvances Today Fund will provide support to Arizona-based life science innovators (grants to nonprofits and loans or equity investment to early stage life science companies) while the AZAdvances Legacy Endowment will grow the core capital over time so that as the need for future funding grows, so does our

capacity to meet it.

Support for AZAdvances is currently provided by OTEF thanks to community donations and the Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio).

AZBio serves as the operational lead in the development of AZAdvances with additional support via a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) 2018 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program competition which is specifically designated to support the creation of a sustainable seed fund for life science innovation in Arizona.

In addition to the federal contribution to the project, AZBio and its partners are providing matching financial support over the three-year term of the project. These resources support the seed fund capital campaign, structure, and operations as well as programs designed to help Arizona life science companies prepare for the investment process. Neither the federal funds or the matching funds may be used to capitalize the fund itself or for direct investment into individual companies.

A big goal The AZAdvances team has set a capital campaign goal of $50 million for the AZAdvances Today Fund and a $200 million goal for the AZAdvances Legacy Endowment which will support the mission over time through its annual distributions into the AZAdvances Today Fund.

Once capitalized, AZAdvances will deliver a bigger impact: More life science companies being founded, attracted, and grown in Arizona Faster job growth across our life science sector More jobs for the great students graduating from our universities More cures and life changing innovations The result will be a better life for Arizonans today and even greater possibilities for generations to come.

AB | September - October 2020 135

NEVER ENOUGH Each day we have with the people we love is precious, and there are never enough.

When someone we love lives with disease, we do what we can to help; and feel like it is never enough.

Every time as researchers, innovators, and healthcare teams we are not able to conquer a disease in time, we know that for all that we do, until we succeed, it is never enough.

So we keep loving, keep helping, keep working to find answers.

For when we do, someday, it will be enough.

Thank you to all of the family members, friends, caregivers, researchers, innovators, investors, philanthropists, healthcare teams, and, most of all, to the patients who work together to get us to someday.