SPECIAL REPORT 2015
THE REGION’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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New Model
Competi
Maximizing Southern Arizona’s Economic Opportunities By Gabrielle Fimbres Southern Arizona is harnessing the power of Arizona’s Sun Corridor – a megaregion of potentially limitless economic growth – to create opportunity and prosperity. Leading the effort in the central and southern swath of the corridor is Sun Corridor Inc., which recently changed its name from Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities or TREO. Sun Corridor Inc. is bringing together the major players in the megaregion across Southern Arizona, including key employers, public sector partners, higher education and nonprofits. The organization has expanded its geographic horizons to extend from Mexico to northern Pinal County. This rebranding and sharpened focus builds on the collective strengths of a united binational region, said Joe Snell, president and CEO of Sun Corridor Inc. “We are much more powerful with unity of voice as we rep94 BizTucson
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resent Arizona to companies looking for a prosperous region for their growth and expansion,” said Snell, who has led economic development efforts throughout the organization’s 10year history. “We have to sell them on the Southern Arizona market. Sometimes Tucson wins, sometimes Pinal County wins – but we all win with a unified effort.” TREO/Sun Corridor Inc. recently completed one of its most successful years, supporting the relocation or expansion of 16 companies, with an economic impact of nearly $2.6 billion. Among them, HomeGoods announced a new distribution center that initially will employ 400. Comcast announced a new customer support center to be staffed by 1,125 customer service representatives and managers. The Sun Corridor concept to make the most of regional aswww.BizTucson.com
BizECONOMY
for Global
tive Edge sets in combination with the proximity and strength of Mexico as a trading partner was first identified in about 2007. Snell and Sun Corridor Inc.’s leadership believe the economic development organization’s new approach will benefit Southern Arizona by: u u
u
u u u
Promoting the megaregion as a gateway for near-shore products and movement of goods Developing a stronger binational position with Arizona’s largest trading partner, leveraging Mexico’s economic growth Creating greater synergy to compete in a new global economy post-recession Enhancing influence at state and federal levels, representing a greater geographic region Leveraging a larger talent pool Combining resources and expertise to address complex economic trends
Denny Minano, board chair of Sun Corridor Inc., is a retired General Motors executive and current consultant in environcontinued on page 96 >>> www.BizTucson.com
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We are not just competing against California and Texas, we are competing against Taiwan and central Europe in this global economy – and this move makes us stronger competitors. – Guy Gunther, Immediate Past Chair, TREO Board Member, Sun Corrridor Inc.
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BizECONOMY
TREO
(Now Sun Corridor Inc.) Performance 2005–2015 Total New Jobs Supported* 27,553 Capital Investment
$1.07 billion
Total Economic Impact
$7.9 billion
Successful Projects
106 companies
* Direct and Indirect
One Year
July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 Total New Jobs Supported* 5,001 Direct New Jobs
3,983
Capital Investment
$157 million
Total Economic Impact
$2.58 billion
Successful Projects
16 companies
* Direct and Indirect Source: Sun Corridor Inc.
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continued from page 95 mental, energy, governance and transportation infrastructure strategies. He said this broader regional focus of Sun Corridor Inc. makes Arizona more marketable. “Our core, Tucson, is good, and Pima County is very strong,” Minano said. “When you add other counties, it allows us to present the very best of Southern Arizona and gives the area more power to collaborate with Phoenix.” The timing was right for the change in name and focus, especially as economic development in Mexico is starting to soar, Minano said. “Sonora has an economic development plan focusing on auto and aerospace and they have achieved that,” Minano said. “Their success is important to our success. Their moving forward in that area is a strong indication that we can have success not just at the border but deep into Mexico.” The region’s proximity to Mexico – with its opportunities in manufacturing, Port of Guaymas and transportation of goods – makes the entire region more attractive internationally, said Guy Gunther, immediate past chair of TREO and VP of operations for CenturyLink in Arizona. “We are not just competing against California and Texas, we are competing against Taiwan and central Europe in this global economy – and this move makes us stronger competitors,” Gunther said. “We are improving our product.” Key to the region’s success are its counties and communities, including Cochise County, Santa Cruz County, Pima County and Pinal County, which serves as a linchpin between Phoenix and Tucson. In November 2014, Pinal County Supervisor Anthony Smith joined forces with TREO, embracing the Sun Corridor concept of economic development. He now serves as a member of Sun Corridor Inc.’s Chairman’s Circle. “I recognized in the next few decades most of Arizona’s growth will be in the Sun Corridor and I believe the Sun Corridor will be characterized by higher-than-average population growth,” Smith said. “We have certainly experienced that in Pinal County.” Pinal County’s population has doubled in the past decade, and Smith is on a mission to build economic development in his county, so residents don’t have to travel to Tucson or Phoenix for work. Currently, half of Pinal County’s working population travels out of the county for jobs, he said. “Pinal County is geographically located in the heart of the Sun Corridor, and I believe it is important that we be proactive and work with the economic development organizations to leverage our collective interests,” Smith said. “The fit with Sun Corridor Inc. seemed like an absolutely natural one.” As mayor of Maricopa for four years, Smith said he worked closely on economic development efforts in Phoenix with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. “I’m thrilled that Tucson, Pima County and Southern Arizona have a similar organization with the potential for a lot of high achievement in the future,” Smith said. Among the assets Pinal County brings to the Sun Corridor are a population of 402,000 and workforce of 154,018. Also key are its manufacturing, mining, agriculture, continued on page 98 >>> www.BizTucson.com
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BizECONOMY
continued from page 96 healthcare and aerospace & defense assets. Key Sun Corridor infrastructure strengths provided by Pinal County are: u u
u u u u
Access to major California markets via Interstate 10 and Interstate 8, as well as access to Mexico via Interstate 19 Union Pacific Railroad’s double-tracked main line from the ports of Los Angeles to the East Coast, the railroad’s short line at Picacho servicing Phoenix, and the Copper Basin Railway servicing eastern Pinal County copper mines Seven major rail-served industrial parks Four major electric companies Access to major airports A large regional workforce
“Arizona is a day’s drive to many of the major markets, including the international markets, which minimizes any business interruptions and increases people’s quality of life,” Smith said. “I think these kinds of factors make communities within the Sun Corridor a very attractive place to grow a business.” Smith hopes the collaboration will draw aerospace & defense jobs and other high-tech industries to the region. “I think that is the way of the future for us.” Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson said regional partners bring assets that make Southern Arizona highly attractive to companies nationally and internationally. She sees the new name and focus of Sun Corridor Inc. as beneficial to the economy and the region, signaling a new era for the region’s economic development.
“
All of our counties and cities share the same last name, we have the same asset base and the same challenges – but collectively we are speaking together as a big, binational population center.
”
“Economic development does not stop at the jurisdictional boundaries – it’s about the region – and this branding lets people know we are serious about 21st century economic development,” Bronson said. Partnerships with Mexico are key. “Mexico’s economy is taking off and that can only aid our efforts,” she said. Snell said the evolution from TREO to Sun Corridor Inc. is a natural one, as Arizona’s Sun Corridor builds in strength and momentum. “We worked with Eloy to create a foreign trade zone and it occurred to us that we are really not Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities anymore. We are really much more than that,” Snell said. “We were almost limiting our opportunities through our name.” He said the organization, founded in 2005, has embraced the Sun Corridor concept since 2007. “We are going to do some of the things TREO did as well as add several new initiatives – but in an expanded footprint,” Snell said. “We are going to continue to work to increase the prosperity of Southern Arizonans, and we are going to do that through job recruitment and job expansion. But those jobs might go to Cochise County just as easily as they would to Pima County.” The organization will continue to use its updated Economic Blueprint as a roadmap to prosperity – focusing on bolstering infrastructure, education and training, a healthy community and a positive business climate to draw key high-wage industries to the region. “All of our counties and cities share the same last name, we have the same asset base and the same challenges – but collectively we are speaking together as a big, binational population center,” Snell said. “It just makes good business sense.”
Biz
TREO Company Successes FY14-15 by Industry TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
6% EDUCATION
TECHNICAL CENTER
6%
6%
BIOSCIENCE & HEALTHCARE
44%
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE
25%
CUSTOMER SERVICE
13%
– Joe Snell, President & CEO, Sun Corridor Inc.
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Source: Sun Corridor Inc.
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. LEADERSHIP
Denny Minano Board Chair By Gabrielle Fimbres
PHOTO: BRENT G. MATHIS
Denny Minano has studied infrastructure and crossborder trade strategies for much of his career – and he’s bringing his knowledge to Sun Corridor Inc. as board chair. Before making his home in Tucson, Minano spent 32 years at General Motors in Michigan, concluding his GM career as VP of public policy and chief environmental officer. He has worked as a consultant around the nation on infrastructure and binational business expansion issues. The work of Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities over the past decade is helping to solidify the success of the Southern Arizona region now and in the future, Minano said. “This region is important strategically for the U.S. and for North America. In this time of great change and companies repositioning themselves, I believe Sun Corridor Inc. will have a place at the larger table of companies making decisions, because we are thinking beyond the next two or three years, we are taking those steps and making success a reality,” Minano said. Minano, who chaired the infrastructure committee for TREO’s Blueprint Update in 2013, said the organization’s transition to Sun Corridor Inc. “is the next natural business step of how we want to operate.” “Sun Corridor Inc. is the necessary step for our 102 BizTucson
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region in creating a global competitive edge,” he said. “One of the great assets of our region is the geography – our proximity to California, Texas, New Mexico and Mexico, which now everyone recognizes as a potential booming economy.” At the core of the region’s success is infrastructure, Minano said. “When you look at infrastructure, you think of transportation, you think of mobility and as a business person, I look at it as speed to market and access to market. That doesn’t happen overnight.” Minano said more and more, businesses are seeing borders as merely lines on a map and not a barrier. With the correct infrastructure in place – including Interstate 11, which, if approved, would connect Las Vegas to Phoenix, Tucson and Nogales – the region can become an economic powerhouse, he said. Members of TREO rallied to show support for extending the proposed I-11 south of Phoenix, and their voices were heard. “It was critical for us to show how Southern Arizona, Tucson and this region work together. I am hoping companies in our pipeline will accelerate their decision to say, ‘I want to be part of Tucson, Southern Arizona and all that makes up the Sun Corridor.’ ”
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. LEADERSHIP
David Hutchens Vice Chair By Gabrielle Fimbres
PHOTO: BRENT G. MATHIS
Arizona’s Sun Corridor – where economic development is poised to expand from the Mexican border north through Central Arizona – covers much of the territory of energy services provided by Tucson Electric Power and its sister company, UniSource Energy Services, or UES. Shoring up resources along that corridor makes sense to David Hutchens, president and CEO of TEP, UES and parent company UNS Energy Corporation. “Geographically, if you look back to the old days, where rivers came together is where you would see big metro areas develop – and now it’s where highways and infrastructure come together,” Hutchens said. Among the critical infrastructure required to grow the region is energy infrastructure – which is one reason TEP and UNS, with 2,000 employees statewide, is committed to growing economic development through Sun Corridor Inc., benefiting companies, employees and all Arizonans. Hutchens is in line to serve as chair of Sun Corridor Inc. starting in 2016. He said the organization’s new expanded focus provides greater critical mass with a more unified front. “Instead of having a handful of small counties now you have a powerful region that gives us a better competitive advantage 104 BizTucson
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and critical mass,” he said. “We want to focus on being a critical corridor between Mexico and Phoenix. That is a huge growth opportunity.” This unity “provides a bigger product menu” for companies considering moving to or expanding in the region. “When you have the bigger umbrella, you suddenly have a bigger workforce, more infrastructure and a bigger set of offerings,” Hutchens said. As Mexico grows to become a mighty economic partner, that infrastructure is crucial. “When you look at trade between Mexico and the rest of the U.S., we have a great corridor. It comes right up Interstate 19, right to 1-10, and you can take I-10 to Texas and the eastern markets, or you can go west on I-10 and I-8 to California. With a little luck in the future, you can take (the proposed) I-11 straight to Las Vegas. Look at where all of those come together – they all come through Tucson. We have a lot of potential for new businesses.” growth Well-planned benefits all, Hutchens said. “Good education, good jobs – in the end that means we grow but we grow in the right way – with high-wage jobs that improve quality of life.”
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. LEADERSHIP
Guy Gunther Immediate Past Chair By Gabrielle Fimbres
PHOTO: BRENT G. MATHIS
The United States has weathered an economic reset – one that hit the Tucson region particularly hard. But economic development efforts by TREO – now Sun Corridor Inc. – coupled with a focused vision for the future, have poised the region for prosperity, said Guy Gunther, who recently completed a two-year term as chairman. He said the economic development organization is now more regionally focused as Sun Corridor Inc. Gunther is VP of operations for CenturyLink in Arizona, which employs 3,100 statewide. “It’s not just about Tucson, it’s not just about Southern Arizona. It’s about the Sun Corridor. If you look at all that Pima County, Pinal County, Cochise County, Santa Cruz County and northern Mexico have to offer, this is truly a regional opportunity,” he said. The work of TREO and its partners over the past two years helped draw new business, aided existing businesses in expansion and redefined priorities that will make the southern region of the Sun Corridor an economic success, Gunther said. “In 2007, through the Economic Blueprint, TREO identified key industries that would leverage Tucson’s assets – those industries being transportation & logistics, aerospace & defense, biosciences and 106 BizTucson
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alternative energy & natural resources,” he said. “Those four sectors would allow us to build on the strengths of this region.” TREO was proactive in updating the Blueprint in 2013 to re-examine and focus priorities. Sixteen new and expanded companies in FY 2014-15 are a testament to that redefined focus, Gunther said. “Two years ago we realized because of this economic reset, it wasn’t just about going after jobs in targeted industries. We needed to look at the drivers that would get us to the next level – a talented workforce, a healthy community, solid infrastructure and a good business environment,” Gunther said. Harnessing the power of all counties in the southern end of the megaregion, linking strongly with Mexico and strengthening partnerships will take the region to that next level, Gunther said. “I believe we have an unprecedented amount of collaboration in our region – thanks to city leaders, county leaders, big industries that employ a lot of people in the private sector, the nonprofit sector and educational institutions,” he said. “Two years ago that collaboration wasn’t there. TREO – now Sun Corridor Inc. – is a significant driver for connecting the dots among all regional partners.”
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. LEADERSHIP
Greg White Secretary/Treasurer By Gabrielle Fimbres
PHOTO: BRENT G. MATHIS
As VP and CFO of Southern Arizona’s largest private employer – Raytheon Missile Systems – Greg White knows the importance of a highly skilled, educated workforce. “As people retire, the United States’ workforce is going to stabilize and even decline,” White said. “It’s very important that people look at the big picture and support education.” Education is a critical factor in building economic development in the region, a cause that is vital to companies like Raytheon, with about 9,600 employees locally. “Economic development is important for Raytheon because the more vibrant the economy, the more opportunities there are for people to come to the area and come to Raytheon,” White said. Raytheon has long supported the efforts of TREO, and the change in name and focus bodes well for the future of the region, he said. “We are all parts of a whole and we have different strengths that will benefit new business here,” White said of Sun Corridor Inc.’s regional approach. “The fact that we have so many defense installations in Arizona is very important in bringing the aerospace & defense businesses here. The wide-open spaces we 108 BizTucson
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have are crucial for some of the missions – and without the strengths of Pinal County and other surrounding counties, we wouldn’t be in such an advantageous position.” White said TREO’s efforts during lean economic times are coming to fruition. “Even with the economy down for such an extended period, that is when Joe Snell and his team have been working hardest. We are starting to see the benefit come back to the community. It hasn’t been a slowdown for TREO and now Sun Corridor Inc. It has been a speedup. We are starting to hit the ground running.” White said partnership and collaboration is the foundation for prosperity. “Sun Corridor Inc. is so important because you are not choosing between Tucson or Pinal County, you are choosing the collective assets of Southern Arizona,” White said. “To have economic development, you have to have all of the factors – an educated workforce, a pleasant place to live, schools where people want their children educated, businesses with vibrant growth and opportunity. You have to put that all together to make it fertile for real economic development.”
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. LEADERSHIP
Joe Snell President & CEO
PHOTO: BRENT G. MATHIS
By Gabrielle Fimbres
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Joe Snell led the Tucson region through a decade of economic turmoil, navigating the swells of challenge and opportunity. As the Great Recession eroded segments of the local economy, Snell and TREO – now Sun Corridor Inc. – worked toward the future, strategizing a roadmap that could help lead the region out of recession, Snell said. “We have the key ingredients to be an economic juggernaut. We just have to have the right recipe, which is what we have been working toward,” Snell said. That recipe includes bringing together all major players across the southern segment of Arizona’s Sun Corridor south of Maricopa County down into Mexico. “My goal is to have a comprehensive and strategic plan that ties all of Southern Arizona and northern Mexico together in a binational effort,” Snell said. He said the area’s proximity to the border and strong collective assets provide exceptional possibilities. Still needed is stronger infrastructure investment, continued coordination between business, government and nonprofits, and improved worker skills. “We can’t step over a dollar bill to pick up a nickel in our thinking,” Snell said. “We have got to con-
tinue to invest in ourselves – and to me the best investments are people – specifically investing in workforce and infrastructure.” Snell said Sun Corridor Inc.’s role is to serve as a transformational organization, not a transactional one. “Small communities can get caught up in the transactions, and we must be transformational in our thinking. “Our goal is to advance prosperity. Working together on this is the Sun Corridor Inc. board of 57 of the smartest people in the state, including members from Phoenix,” he said. Work by members of Sun Corridor Inc. – in collaboration with other regional partners – has resulted in recent business developments. “Things have picked up,” Snell said, pointing to 16 companies that either expanded or moved into the region in FY 2014-15. “We had our best year since 2007.” Snell said the transition to Sun Corridor Inc. is a move toward capitalizing on the assets of the region. “I am proud of TREO’s accomplishments over the past 10 years and I am looking forward to a sustainable future with the smartest people at the table,” Snell said. “I think that the future is bright for Sun Corridor Inc.”
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Kathy Bollinger Executive VP Banner-University Medicine
“On behalf of Banner-University Medicine, I’d like to thank the Tucson business community for such a warm welcome to Southern Arizona. We are thrilled to be here and become part of Tucson’s unique marketplace. With our partners at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Banner sees endless possibilities for academic medicine, for our patients and for this city. Our many investments here reflect our confidence in Tucson.”
800+ faculty physicians, dozens of clinics and three hospitals – Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, Banner-University Medical Center South and Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix 6,400+ employees in Tucson Largest private employer in the state $500 million over the next five years in new and remodeled healthcare facilities in Tucson in addition to millions to the UA for physician recruitment, program enhancement and medical research Groundbreaking late 2015 on an 11-story hospital tower on the campus of Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, pending zoning and other approvals
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PHOTOS COURTESY BANNER-UNIVERSITY MEDICINE
Banner–University Medicine
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Sharon Bronson Chair Pima County Board of Supervisors
PHOTO: CHRIS MOONEY
“Improving our regional economy is job No. 1 for me and for Pima County. We are working to protect our largest employers, we are developing a workforce for the future and we are creating opportunities for existing business expansion and new business attraction.” Pima County Spearheading a regional effort to make the Tucson International Airport area a major logistical, manufacturing and employment hub
Improved development permit-processing system to have the shortest processing time in the region Supports small business growth and development through Small Business Commission, with a Business Resource One-Stop Center in development Hosting a tourism and economic development office in Hermosillo, Sonora, in collaboration with Visit Tucson and the City of Tucson
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PHOTOS COURTESY PIMA COUNTY
Aiding employers in finding skilled workers through Pima County One-Stop Career Centers and helping veterans find employment through Kino Veterans’ Workforce Center
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Photo: BalfourWalker.com
Jim Click President
“I can’t stress enough how important continued economic development is to keep Tucson the healthy, prosperous city that my family and I have grown to love since arriving here in 1971. Sure, we have a lot of wonderful attributes – beautiful scenery, great weather, a world-class university – but we need strong economic growth that supports higher wages, with clean industry, to encourage people and corporations to come here and prosper together.” Jim Click Automotive Team 1971 – A small Tucson dealership at 22nd Street and Wilmot Road is bought by Jim Click and turned into what is now Southern Arizona’s largest dealership 1,000 employees at dealerships in Tucson and Sahuarita/Green Valley
PHOTOS COURTESY JIM CLICK AUTOMOTIVE TEAM
Jim Click Automotive Team
1 out of 3 vehicles sold in Tucson is from a Jim Click dealership Brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, Hyundai, Nissan, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Kia – plus 1,000 used vehicles Community giving is a long-held company value, with major support to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, the Beacon Group, San Miguel High School, The University of Arizona, Linkages, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona and more. Jim Click’s sponsorship of the Millions for Tucson car raffle has raised nearly $3 million for local charities.
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Photo: BalfourWalker.com
Michael Crow President Arizona State University
“Regional economic development takes place in the context of a global knowledge economy, so it is essential to foster perpetual and ubiquitous innovation. ASU and other universities provide the critical components of that innovation. We produce graduates who are critical thinkers in every field. Each has some level of competence critical to our economic competitiveness.
Arizona State University Research enterprise has more than tripled from 2002 to 2014 to more than $425 million Graduation rate has nearly doubled since 2002 Third in the nation – tied with Princeton University – in producing Fulbright Scholars $163 million in investor funding in the past three years for companies started by ASU discoveries 207,000 ASU graduates work in Arizona, earning $11.4 billion and contributing $819 million in state revenue
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PHOTOS COURTESY ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
“We also generate creativity – ideas and ‘stuff.’ Every day I encounter new technologies, new ideas, new perspectives, new insights. The ultimate goal of economic development is to better the life of the community and its people, so at ASU we measure our research by the impact that we have on the public good. The question we ask is – did we better the outcome for the communities where we operate in a measurable way?”
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Ann Weaver Hart President
“As Arizona’s land-grant university, The University of Arizona is proud to be an engine of economic development for our state. From educating students in high-demand fields to innovating technologies that help power the state’s 21st century economy, the UA is focused on improving the prospects and enhancing the lives of all Arizonans. With $8.3 billion in annual economic impact, success in that mission is a vital source of economic well-being. We are absolutely committed to continuing the university’s impact and I am so pleased to see the growth of vital partnerships here in Tucson and Southern Arizona that leverage the UA’s strengths for the good of our entire community.” The University of Arizona Total economic impact $8.3 billion, with an impact of $6.5 billion locally Jobs More than 12,000 Ranks 16th in the world for graduates’ employability among U.S. public universities Enrolls more than 42,000 students Attracts more than $580 million in research investment Alumni 70,000 in Pima County, 125,000 statewide
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PHOTOS COURTESY THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
The University of Arizona
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PHOTO: CARTER ALLEN
SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Lee Lambert Chancellor & CEO Pima Community College
“Workforce quality is a key factor in the development of individual businesses and Tucson’s ability to provide high- and middle-skilled jobs for its residents. Educators should have as a common goal producing college- or career-ready adults. Achieving that goal includes both preparing students for industry-specific careers and giving them so-called soft skills in communication, critical thinking and digital literacy. Increasingly, economic success in a globalized world also will depend on cross-cultural leadership skills, fluency in multiple languages, respect for other peoples’ perspectives and ability to work collaboratively.”
$2.2 billion economic impact in Pima County $551.2 million in higher tax receipts collected by state and local government over PCC students’ working lives Elite Aviation Technology program one of the few in the U.S. providing hands-on training on commercial and regional jets, thanks to donations of two Boeing 727s by FedEx Zero long-term debt, having paid the last long-term obligations in 2014 $2.5 million federal grant won in 2014 to train trade-affected workers, veterans and other underemployed adults for careers in high-demand fields
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PHOTOS COURTESY PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Pima Community College
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Marc Lebowitz CEO Tucson Association of Realtors/MLS
“We believe that sustainable homeownership creates strong communities and healthy families. A key component in building healthy communities is an expanding job base. On average, two jobs are added to a community from every home sold. A community needs a diversified employee base and a variety of housing options to thrive. The resulting increase to our tax base supports essential infrastructure needs. Housing has long been the ‘engine of recovery,’ but is starved without a strong economy that results from steady job growth. Tucson’s economic recovery will continue to accelerate so long as our leaders focus on solid economic policy fundamentals.” Tucson Association of Realtors/MLS 4,800 Southern Arizona real estate professionals’ interests represented Promotes a positive regulatory climate, defends private property rights and elevates the professionalism and public perception of members Established 1921 Sponsors Tucson Association of Realtors Shootout, presented by Fort Lowell Soccer Club
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PHOTO: CHRIS MOONEY
SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Lisa Lovallo Market VP, Southern Arizona Cox Communications
“Cox is committed to investing in advanced technologies that are essential for a healthy economy and vibrant community. As our community grows, there are more opportunities for service providers like Cox to expand as a strong employer in Southern Arizona, allowing us to enhance our support of the communities in which we serve.”
Third largest private for-profit employer in Arizona, paying wages and benefits 45 percent higher than the state average Millions of dollars in new telecommunications infrastructure investment, resulting in 50 Wi-Fi hot spots in the community and the fastest and most reliable broadband product to residential and commercial businesses $2 million+ in cash and in-kind services donated to local nonprofits in 2014 Nearly 3,500 hours of employee community service in 2014
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PHOTOS COURTESY COX COMMUNICATIONS
Cox Communications
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PHOTO: CHRIS MOONEY
SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Fletcher McCusker CEO Sinfonía HealthCare Corp
Sinfonía HealthCare Corp and its related divisions 7.5 million patients receive services from Sinfonía HealthCare, launched January 2013 Assurance HealthCare provides home-based medical services Assurance Health & Wellness integrates traditional medical care with behavioral health SinfoníaRx medication-management company provides healthcare solutions for health plans, patients and caregivers Sinfonía Family Services provides evidenceinformed comprehensive services to children, adults and families
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PHOTOS COURTESY SINFONÍA HEALTHCARE CORP
“Like any business, a city’s prosperity improves with growth. Population growth for Tucson, creating new jobs and creating a desirable and livable city should be important to every business leader – in fact, every resident. I travel often and people always say ‘Tucson – must be hard to run an international company from there?’ I would like to change that conversation.”
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Judy Patrick Board Director
“TREO (now Sun Corridor Inc.) played an integral role in the creation of a blueprint to guide our area’s economic development and influence the factors that give our region a competitive edge. This not only helped us identify Southern Arizona’s driving industries and growth opportunities, but garnered national recognition as a best practice for community and economic development. Since then, we’ve seen a steady stream of successes. Perhaps the most important benefit of the blueprint is the mindset it manifested. Economic development isn’t just about Tucson, it’s about the Sun Corridor – meaning all of Southern Arizona’s assets regardless of county. Our link to Mexico and our complementary infrastructure are unifying the region like never before and resulting in increased jobs and business growth. Those outcomes are the very things that fuel companies like CopperPoint Mutual because, as local business expands, so does the need for affordable workers compensation insurance and workplace safety services.” CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Company A- Excellent XIII with a “stable outlook” rating from A.M. Best Premier provider of workers compensation insurance in Arizona 15,600+ policyholders and their employees insured by subsidiary companies in 2014 $77.5 million paid in lost wages to injured workers and their families in 2014 and another $120 million to medical providers 5,500 employee volunteer hours with 100 nonprofit organizations throughout Arizona
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PHOTO COURTESY BANNER-UNIVERSITY MEDICINE www.BizTucson.com
PHOTOS COURTESY COPPERPOINT MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Company
www.BizTucson.com
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PHOTO: CARTER ALLEN
Robert D. Ramirez President & CEO
“Vantage West has 60 years of history in Southern Arizona. We are committed to economic development because it stimulates regional growth, creates jobs and builds stronger communities. As a local business, our success is fueled by a strong and thriving economy, which provides more opportunities for Vantage West members and community partners to reap the benefits of all that Tucson has to offer. Regional economic development strengthens businesses like Vantage West, which in turn, affords us the ability to reinvest in the community by way of support for local charitable and civic organizations.” Vantage West Credit Union $1.5 billion financial institution, with 135,000 traditional and business members Largest credit union in Southern Arizona Named among the nation’s top 200 healthiest credit unions by DepositAccounts.com Five-star rating by Bauer Financial Recognized among the top 10 best credit unions to work for by Best Companies Group and the Credit Union Journal
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PHOTOS COURTESY VANTAGE WEST CREDIT UNION
Vantage West Credit Union
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PHOTO: CHRIS MOONEY
SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Judy Rich President & CEO TMC HealthCare
“Operating within a vibrant business environment helps us to recruit and retain top-notch employees – and to develop new services and collaborations to benefit our community.
TMC HealthCare Southern Arizona’s largest hospital, licensed at 600+ beds with 30,000 admissions, 120,000 outpatient visits and nearly 6,000 births annually Tucson Medical Center is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a national network of organizations committed to better serving patients and families through collaboration. Members have access to Mayo Clinic knowledge and expertise to give patients additional peace of mind when making healthcare decisions, while allowing them to stay close to home. 70th birthday celebrated, commemorating the first patient admission on Nov. 9, 1944 ‘Paperless’ since introducing its comprehensive electronic medical record in 2010, and recognized as a ‘Most Wired’ hospital Children’s Miracle Network’s sole Southern Arizona representative, with a relationship that dates back to 1986
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PHOTOS COURTESY TUCSON MEDICAL CENTER
Our goal is to provide the very best care possible to our patients, dedicated to serving the needs of this region while remaining a locally governed, independent community hospital.”
www.BizTucson.com
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Anthony Smith Chair Pinal County Board of Supervisors
“Besides expanding and diversifying our tax base, Pinal County’s continued focus on quality economic development ensures that our residents will have an enhanced quality of life with great housing opportunities, high-wage jobs with employee benefits, better and safer roads, healthy outdoor activities and the needed funding for social programs that benefit our elderly, indigent or those with marginal means of support.” Pinal County Population 402,000 Workforce 154,018, including an estimated 6,000+ in aviation-related jobs
Key industries Manufacturing/research and development, transportation and logistics, aerospace and defense, natural/renewable resources, health services Communities include Florence, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Apache Junction, Eloy, Coolidge, Superior, Kearny, Mammoth, Red Rock, SaddleBrooke, Gold Canyon, San Tan Valley, Arizona City, San Manuel, Oracle, Hidden Valley and Stanfield
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PHOTOS COURTESY PINAL COUNTY
Area 5,374 square miles
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Kevin Stockton CEO Northwest Medical Center
“As a healthcare provider committed to delivering the depth and breadth of services needed by our community, we are reliant on a vibrant, economically strong Tucson. We prefer to hire staff and physicians from Tucson, but when we need to recruit from across the country Tucson has to be able to compete as one of the best places to live and work. Offering a diverse mix of employers for partners/ spouses of the people we’re recruiting is also essential, among other things, to attract top talent to our organization. A robust economic development program in our city ultimately results in an employer base that can have a positive impact on every facet of life in Tucson.”
Includes Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital, Northwest Allied Physicians, Desert Cardiology and the Heart Center of Southern Arizona 2,500+ Tucsonans employed, and with support from Sun Corridor Inc., Shared Services Center Tucson, an affiliate of Northwest Medical Center and Oro Valley Hospital, is creating 200 new jobs 170,000+ patients treated in Northwest Healthcare emergency rooms and urgent care facilities in 2014 29 physicians recruited to Tucson from other parts of the country, 2013-14 $7.3 million in sales and property taxes paid, 2014
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PHOTOS COURTESY NORTHWEST MEDICAL CENTER
Northwest Healthcare
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
Sandra Watson President & CEO
“Our work to strengthen the state’s business environment is ultimately about creating sustainable opportunity for all Arizonans. Through collaborative economic development efforts with state, regional and local partners, as well as the business and academic communities, Arizona is creating an ideal place to live, work and do business. The alignment of strategic assets and resources among partners is bolstering our competitiveness in the global market, spurring economic growth, and continues to support innovative job creators that are hiring Arizona’s talent throughout the state.” Arizona Commerce Authority Leads state economic development efforts, promoting Arizona’s assets and competitive advantages to businesses in the global marketplace Overseen by a public-private sector board chaired by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey Recruits innovative out-of-state companies to expand operations in Arizona, helps companies already in the state to grow, and partners with entrepreneurs to create new businesses and jobs Worked with companies to announce 52,000+ new jobs in the past 3½ years
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PHOTOS COURTESY ARIZONA COMMERCE AUTHORITY
Arizona Commerce Authority
www.BizTucson.com
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PHOTOS: JOSE BELTRAN AND CHRIS MOONEY
FINANCE
Marc Fleischman President BeachFleischman One of Arizona’s largest locallyowned CPA firms, headquartered in Tucson A “Top 200” largest CPA firm in the U.S. Serving 6,000+ private enterprises, nonprofit organizations and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and Mexico
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Adriana Kong Romero Senior VP Tucson Market President Bank of America 25 Tucson financial centers $38.3 million in new loans to Tucson small businesses in 2014 $309,551 in grants and matching gifts to local nonprofits in 2014
Duane Froeschle President Alliance Bank of Arizona Founded 2003 11 offices in Greater Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona and Flagstaff Division of Western Alliance Bank, with $10 billion in assets
www.BizTucson.com
SUN CORRIDOR INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FINANCE
Frances Merryman
PHOTOS: CHRIS MOONEY
VP, Wealth Strategies Group The Northern Trust Company Northern Trust Wealth Management ranked among top 10 U.S. wealth managers $233 billion in Wealth Management Assets Named Best Private Bank in the U.S. by Financial Times Group six consecutive years
David Smallhouse Managing Director Miramar Ventures Real estate, private equity and venture capital investments Active investor in angel and early-stage ventures, many with close ties to The University of Arizona and Desert Angels of Southern Arizona
www.BizTucson.com
Frances Merryman VP Wealth Strategies Group The Northern Trust Company
Xavier Manrique Senior VP Arizona Regional Commercial Banking Office Wells Fargo Bank
Northern Trust Wealth Management ranked among top 10 U.S. wealth managers
No. 1 commercial bank agribusiness lender and No. 1 in total commercial real estate originations in the U.S.
$233 billion in wealth management assets Named Best Private Bank in the U.S. by Financial Times Group six consecutive years
$500,000 to Tucson nonprofits in 2015 $4.5 million to help Tucson area families achieve homeownership
Mark Mistler CEO, Southern Arizona BBVA Compass (Not Pictured)
Company ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. banks, with 672 branches 17 Southern Arizona branches Benefits Southern Arizona charitable organizations through employee volunteerism and financial contributions
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PHOTOS: JOSE BELTRAN AND CHRIS MOONEY
H E A LT H C A R E / N O N P R O F I T
Matt Wandoloski VP of Corporate Strategy and Analytics Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Founded 1939 1.4 million customers Offices in Tucson, Phoenix, Chandler and Flagstaff 1,400 employees statewide
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Tom Dickson CEO Banner–University Medical Center Tucson and Banner–University Medical Center South Banner–UMC Tucson 4,090 employees 22,301 inpatient admissions, 2014 Banner–UMC South 992 employees 8,026 inpatient admissions, 2014
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Tony Penn President & CEO United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona
Nancy Johnson Interim CEO El Rio Community Health Center
Clint Mabie President & CEO Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Building a better community by uniting people, ideas and resources
Founded 1970 by neighborhood activists and The University of Arizona
Connects individuals, families and businesses to causes they care about
Working to bring a collective impact strategy to Southern Arizona to address poverty 80+ years in Tucson
Serves 1,000 people a day 54 percent live below the federal poverty level
$150+ million granted to the community by the foundation and its family of donors since 1980
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I N N O VAT I O N
Frances Merryman VP, Wealth Strategies Group The Northern Trust Company
PHOTOS: CHRIS MOONEY
Northern Trust Wealth Management ranked among top 10 U.S. wealth managers $233 billion in Wealth Management Assets Named Best Private Bank in the U.S. by Financial Times Group six consecutive years
Jacqueline Bucher VP, Marketing and Corporate Communications Roche Tissue Diagnostics and Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a Member of the Roche Group A world leader and innovator of tissue-based cancer diagnostic solutions Manufactures 220+ cancer tests with related instruments in Southern Arizona, touching the lives of 11 million cancer patients each year in 90+ countries www.BizTucson.com
Dr. Ray Woosley Founder and President AZCERT Nonprofit medical research and education organization launched to foster safe use of medicines Developed and maintains the internationally respected Web-based CredibleMeds program with 35,000 registered members and 1,000 visitors daily from more than 135 countries
Steven G. Zylstra President & CEO Arizona Technology Council Established 2002 Arizonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier trade association for science & technology companies Events, resources & educational forums to grow Arizonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology industry
Steve Eggen Strategic Consulting Aerospace & Defense Industry
Mara Aspinall President & CEO ProNeurogen, UA technology for the prevention of Retired CFO, Raytheon inflammation-based Missile Systems dementia A&D industry for President & CEO, 38 years, serving in Rencarex, targeted executive positions antibody drug for with General Dynamics, kidney cancer Hughes Aircraft Executive Chairman, Company and Raytheon GenePeeks, gene sequencing meets computational genomics for pre-conception testing to eliminate Summer 2015 > > > recessive BizTucson 145 disease
INFRASTRUCTURE/REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT
Michael Hammond President & CEO Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services Founded 1985 Leading independently owned, full-service commercial real estate company Licensed in Southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico
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Omar Mireles Executive VP HSL Properties Founded 1975 Owns and operates 41 apartment communities in Arizona, with 32 in the Tucson metro area, representing 10,000+ units and 8 million square feet Owns and operates hotels and resorts, including Oro Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hilton El Conquistador Resort
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Walter Richter Public Affairs Administrator Southwest Gas
Bill Kelley CFO Diamond Ventures
Founded 1931 in California
Privately held company specializing in real estate development and private equity investments
Investor-owned utility 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in parts of Arizona, Nevada and California
Founded 1988
2 million+ square feet of developed industrial, office and retail projects 20,000+ acres of developed and planned residential projects
Ed Hadley President Southwest USA Walton Development & Management (USA) Part of Walton Group of Companies, a multinational real estate investment & development group 97,000 acres of land under administration Assets over $4.1 billion
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H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N
PHOTOS: JOSE BELTRAN AND CHRIS MOONEY
SUN CORRIDOR INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Teri Lucie Thompson Senior VP for University Relations & Chief Marketing Officer The University of Arizona $860 million total payroll
Gregg Johnson Campus Director University of Phoenix Founded 1976 to cater to working adults seeking higher education
$587 million annual research expenditures
Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest private university
Ranked 19th among public universities for research and development in science and engineering
Degree programs offered at 100+ locations, including Tucson, and online
$8.3 billion economic impact www.BizTucson.com
14,000 alumni in Southern Arizona
Kelle Maslyn Director Community Relations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tucson ASU Office of University Affairs Arizona State University 83,301 enrollment 11,000 FTE $981 million total payroll $2.7 billion in labor income and nearly $4.3 billion in gross product overall economic impact to Arizona
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LEGAL, ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION
Kevin Burnett Senior VP & CFO Sundt Companies Headquartered in Tucson since 1929 100 percent employee owned with revenues of about $1 billion Won more Associated General Contractors Build America awards than any other U.S. contractor
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Robert Lamb COO GLHN Architects & Engineers Established 1963 Employee-owned, offering services in architecture and mechanical, electrical, civil and technology engineering 75+ employees
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Lawrence M. Hecker Managing Member Hecker PLLC Of counsel, Sun Corridor Inc. 41 years practicing law in Tucson Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, 1993-2015
Garry Brav President & CEO BFL Construction Founded 1973 Ranked among Tucsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top 10 commercial contractors $60 million annual revenues 40 FTE
Keri Lazarus Silvyn Partner/Owner Lazarus, Silvyn & Bangs Land use law firm that helps communities and developers grow responsibly across Arizona Lawyers in the firm practicing zoning, planning and land use law in Arizona for 40 years www.BizTucson.com
SUN CORRIDOR INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bonnie Allin President & CEO Tucson Airport Authority Established 1948 Operates Tucson International Airport and Ryan Airfield Supports 35,000 jobs and houses more than 100 tenants Six airlines serve TIA with non-stop service to 16 destinations
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T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
Steve Lace Past President Tucson New Car Dealers Association
Farhad Moghimi Executive Director Pima Association of Governments/ Regional Transportation Authority
VP Royal Automotive Group & Lexus of Tucson
Coordinates regional planning efforts to enhance mobility, sustainability, livability and economic vitality of the region
Tucson New Car Dealers Association established 1947 Organized by dealers to offer support for economic development and transportation initiatives Collectively employed 2,700+, produced $750+ million in revenue and collected $60+ million in sales tax revenue, 2014
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PHOTO: CHRIS MOONEY
P U B L I C PA R T N E R S
Satish Hiremath, DDS Mayor Town of Oro Valley
Jonathan Rothschild Mayor City of Tucson
Ed Honea Mayor Town of Marana
36 square miles
$69,425 median household income
520,116 population
126 square miles
$71,950 median household income
Population rose nearly 700 percent 2000-2010
236 square miles
334 FTE
125 FTE
41,627 population
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Duane Blumberg Mayor Town of Sahuarita 27,777 population
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Incorporated 1877 $46,706 median family income
42,000 population $71,000 median household income 328 FTE
Patrick Call Chair Cochise County Board of Supervisors 6,219 square miles, including Fort Huachuca 127,448 population $45,755 median family income 8,740 total business firms
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New and Expanding Businesses in Tucson and Southern Arizona FY 2014 -15 APAC Customer Services
APAC Customer Services serves as a leading provider in customer care outsourcing solutions with global BPO services. The company is expected to hire 657 employees.
Arizona Optical Systems
Arizona Optical Systems is a leading manufacturer of precision optical systems for the aerospace and astronomical communities. The company is expected to hire 40 employees.
Cenpatico Integrated Care
Cenpatico will take over as the Regional Behavioral Health Authority overseeing the public system’s mental healthcare for adults and children in Southern Arizona. The company is expected to add 250 jobs.
Centene
Centene is a leading multiline healthcare enterprise providing programs and services to government-sponsored healthcare recipients. The company is expected to hire 100 employees.
Comcast
Comcast plans to open a new customer support center this fall. The 100,000 square-foot facility will be staffed by 1,125 customer service representatives and managers. With the addition of the call center, Comcast will have more than 1,250 employees in Tucson. Comcast plans for at least 15 percent of the new positions at the customer support center to be filled by military reservists, veterans and their spouses or domestic partners.
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The CORE Institute
Hydronalix
Don Zavis & Associates
LCMS Solutions
The CORE Institute is Arizona’s largest orthopedic and neurology practice. The CORE Institute will service the region at the new 50-bed, fullservice acute-care facility in Green Valley. The company is expected to hire 25 new employees.
Don Zavis & Associates provides training through individual or corporate coaching. The company is expected to hire 12 new employees.
Garmin
Garmin is a leading worldwide provider of navigation for automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor and fitness markets. The company is expected to hire 138 new employees.
GEICO Insurance
GEICO serves more than 13 million auto policies nationwide with more than 22 million vehicles, and offers a wide range of other insurance products, including identity theft protection, homeowners insurance and life insurance. The company is expected to hire 230 employees.
HomeGoods
National home furnishings retailer HomeGoods purchased 100 acres of undeveloped property near Tucson International Airport and plans to build an 800,000-square-foot distribution center on the site to help service the company’s growing network of stores in the Southwest and Western parts of the U.S. The company plans to hire at least 400 people initially, with employment expected to grow to 900 workers over the long term.
Hydronalix is a new technology company that focuses on concepts for maritime robotics. The company engineers and designs devices for littoral and brown-water operations, and plans to add 80 employees to its headquarter operations.
LCMS Solutions is a CLIA-certified reference laboratory that provides comprehensive toxicology and clinical testing services. The company is expected to hire 31 new employees.
Northwest Medical Center
Northwest Medical Center will open the first freestanding emergency department in Tucson, and expects to hire 26 employees.
Santé of Tucson
Santé is a senior housing and postacute healthcare company that is expected to hire 150 employees.
TP3 Global
TP3 Global, headquartered in London, is a manufacturer of cold-chain and temperature-controlled thermal pallet covers. The company is expected to hire 32 employees.
Watermark Hacienda Tucson
The Hacienda will be an innovative senior living community and a medical office complex. The company is expected to hire 192 employees. Source: Sun Corridor Inc.
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SUN CORRIDOR INC. INVESTORS
Sun Corridor Inc. Investors Aerotek
Cox Communications
Randstad
Alliance Bank of Arizona
Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services
Raytheon Missile Systems
Arizona Commerce Authority
Diamond Ventures
Arizona State University
El Rio Community Health Center
AZCERT
Freeport-McMoRan
Bank of America
GLHN Architects & Engineers
BBVA Compass Bank
Hecker PLLC
BeachFleischman
Hilton El Conquistador Resort
BFL Construction
HSL Properties
BizTucson
The Jim Click Automotive Team
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Lazarus, Silvyn & Bangs Miramar Ventures
Business Development Finance Corporation
Chase Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Tucson Association of Realtors/MLS TMC HealthCare The University of Arizona The University of Phoenix UNS Energy, Tucson Electric Power and UniSource Energy Services Vantage West Credit Union
Venture West
Northwest Healthcare
CenturyLink
The Temp Connection
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a Member of the Roche Group
The Northern Trust Company
CBRE
The Sundt Companies Tucson Airport Authority
GEICO
Banner-University Medicine
Southwest Gas Corporation Suddath Relocation Systems
DPR Construction
Arizona Technology Council
Sinfonía HealthCare Corp
Nova Home Loans
Walton Development & Management (USA)
Pima Association of Governments
Wells Fargo
Pima Community College
Wist Office Products
Pima County
CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Company
Effective Aug. 1
Sun Corridor Inc. will be located at 1985 E. River Road, Suite 101 Tucson, Ariz., 85718 Office 520-243-1900 Toll Free 866-600-0331 www.suncorridorinc.com info@suncorridorinc.com 154 BizTucson
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PHOTO: CHRIS MOONEY
SUN CORRIDOR INC. STAFF
From left
David Welsh, Executive VP Melody Brooks, Executive Assistant Michael Guymon, Economic Development Director Joe Snell, President & CEO Daniela Gallagher, VP of Economic Development Laura Shaw, Senior VP of Marketing Cathy Casper, CFO Not pictured â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerah Yassine, Project Manager www.BizTucson.com
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