11 minute read
Great Women Make PV Chamber Greater
Great Women
Make PV Chamber Greater
by Marnie Uhl, President/CEO, Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce
Women from all areas of business have served on the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce board, and many rose to the top serving as President; now called Chairman/Chairwoman.
Thank you for your inspiration and dedication to our businesses and community.
Our Current Board Members:
Meredith Dunlap-Sterrett
Meredith has served on the board since 2019 and has been active on the Leadership, Education and Advocacy committee and is chair this year. She has tirelessly volunteered for Prescott Valley Days, Team Up to Clean Up and the Flying High Turkey Drive. Meredith is the Vice President, Northern Arizona Regional Manager for National Bank of Arizona. National Bank is a Chairman’s Circle member.
Diane Tenison
Diane was elected to the board in April 2021. She has a history of leadership having served as an active member of Prescott Association of Realtors and on the board as Property Manager Director. Diane’s chamber board service includes participating on the Community Engagement Committee, Prescott Valley Days, Valley of Lights, Team Up to Clean up and she regularly attends chamber ribbon cuttings and networking events. Diane is the owner/broker of Pierce Property Management.
Robyn Hazlewood Robyn joined the board of directors in 2021. She serves on the Membership Services committee and has been a volunteer with the Valley of Lights, the Pronghorn Golf tournament, the annual Banquet and Community Excellence awards night and she is a driving force behind membership recruitment and retention. Robyn is the co-owner of Pet Headquarters and in 2020 received the Prescott Valley Community Excellence Award for Business Leader of the Year.
Vice-Mayor Lori Hunt Lori was appointed to serve as the Town of Prescott Valley’s council liaison in 2021 and as an ex-officio board member. Economic development is Lori’s passion and she immediately jumped in participating first on the Membership Services committee for 2021-2022 and on the Economic Development committee for 2022-2023. Lori volunteers at chamber events. She has served on the Prescott Valley Town Council since 2019 and is also a member of the Humboldt Education Foundation and a partner at Heights Church.
Other great women who have served:
Marilyn Rabideau — President 1997-1998 Jean Knight — President 2000-2001 Patti Venuti — President 2002-2003 Kit Atwell — President 2003-2004 Jane Fielding — President 2004-2005 Irene Evens — Chairwoman 2012-2013 Jeri Ann Kooiman — Chairwoman 2013-2014 Donna Laxson — Chairwoman 2016-2017 Erin Vredeveld — Chairwoman 2017-2018
Other outstanding women board members from the past include: Betty Robinson, Executive Director of CASA Senior Center; Annette Gonzales, Safeway Stores; and Jody Pariseau, Norm’s Lock and Safe.
Republican
THE LARGEST FEDERATED
Submitted by Republican Women of Prescott
With COVID in our rearview mirror, 2022 brought a renewed enthusiasm to Republican Women of Prescott with an active board of directors headed by a Prescottraised President, Sherrie Hanna.
RWOP hit the ground running with an aggressive fundraising plan and over 50 candidates running for 2022 offices in both state and local elections booked for monthly luncheon speaking engagements.
All of this planning reinforces RWOP’s mission statement that we are dedicated to promoting the principles of the Republican Party through an informed electorate by educating and empowering its members
and by electing Republicans to local, state and national offices.
In 2022, the RWOP members’ generosity was evident. Although we could not hold our major fundraiser because of COVID restrictions, our ways and means committee came through with many successful events.
Fundraisers included a Kentucky Derby, Dignitary Speaking Breakfast, Jeans and Jewels BBQ & Dance, Chili Cook Off, Tea and Fashion Show as well as RWOP merchandise sales.
Fundraising proceeds support our operation and the annual scholarship awards program. Generosity also was shown at our luncheons as our members contributed over $23,600 for our veterans, law enforcement personnel and first responders through our Red and Blue Envelope contribution program.
RWOP supports our women and men who have served in the Armed Forces. In February we donated $7,882 to Honor Flight, plus raised $6,875 toward lunches, food and necessities for several veteran organizations in Prescott.
Our November Veteran Luncheon is a tribute to all military branches. We provide over 100 lunches and a token gift of appreciation to each service woman and man in attendance.
A packed crowd of 430 were present in May to honor the 13 recipients
Women of Prescott
CLUB IN THE NATION!
of the RWOP annual scholarship program. The total scholarship award in 2022 was $14,000. This year we expanded the program to not only include quad-city high school seniors, but also two recipients from EmbryRiddle Aeronautics University (ERAU).
Next year we hope to help establish a Young Republican Club at ERAU. Since 2015, RWOP has awarded a total of 79 recipients with scholarship funds totaling $105,000.
In mid-2022, the education committee launched two Parent Empowerment Forums inviting parents, as well as concerned citizens, to learn how to stop Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) from being taught in our local schools. RWOP also hosted several events featuring Republican candidates running for the PUSD governing board. Candidates presented their qualifications and plans for involvement with our Prescott public schools.
In December 2021, a dedicated executive committee member developed RWOP 101, a twohour in-depth orientation class for RWOP members. It is a deep dive into the inner workings of RWOP. In 2022, nearly 100 members completed the course.
RWOP 101 gained recognition at the Arizona Federation of Republican Women state meeting in June and will become a workshop for other Arizona Federated clubs in the spring. In addition, RWOP offered a 10-hour Constitution class taught by Kelly Cordes, a highly decorated American Civics teacher now retired from Prescott High School.
Currently, plans are underway for an 80th anniversary Celebration for RWOP. We will honor the past RWOP presidents and invite our 1,000-plus members to this joyous occasion. We are proud to say we are guided by the same mission statement established by our Founder Dora Heap in 1942.
Interested in joining this amazing organization? Check out www. rwop.info for details.
This rendering shows the 3,360-square-foot, one-story building that will be the latest branch of Desert Financial Credit Union. It is under construction at 3179 Lakeview Plaza Dr. in Prescott. (Photo by Ray Newton)
The newest branch of Arizona’s largest credit union — Desert Financial — is being constructed at 3179 Lakeview Plaza Lane along Willow Lake Road in Prescott.
Miles Kastner, marketing manager of Desert Financial of Northern Arizona, said the 3,600-square-foot, one-story building likely will be completed by the beginning of January 2023.
Kastner declined to comment about the construction cost. He said the new building will incorporate the latest and best of contemporary technological construction materials and design.
The contractor is Frontline STC, a Phoenix-based builder that specializes in banks and credit unions.
Kastner said interviews already are being conducted for employees. When full-time and part-time positions are filled, they will include about 10 positions, including a branch manager.
Kastner said:”We’re excited about instilling passion for creating exceptional experiences for our members, and we focus on giving back to local communities.”In 2020, Desert Financial gave $3.9 million back to Arizona communities through COVID-19 relief funds, scholarships and what Kastner called “random acts of kindness.”
Founded more than 80 years ago in Phoenix by 15 educators, the original name was Desert Schools Credit Union. The corporate headquarters are at 148 N. 48th St. in Phoenix.
The organization now has more than 400,000 members and is approaching 50 branches. A name change occurred in 2018. It now has more than $6 billion in assets in its not-for-profit cooperative status.
“We have had solid stable growth, especially since our rebrand and the expansion of our charter,” Kastner said.
Desert Financial has another branch in the Quad Cities area inside the Fry’s Food and Drug Center at 3100 Glassford Hill Road in Prescott Valley,
For additional details, go online at www.desertfinancial.com.
Sip & Savor Builds Support for PUSD
The 8th annual Sip & Savor fundraiser for the Prescott Unified School District (PUSD) helped create awareness, public enthusiasm and raised cash to support publicschool students, teachers and staff throughout the school district.
Paul Kirchgraber, PUSD Education Foundation executive director, said the sold-out event had a goal of raising at least $75,000. All funds will directly benefit schools.
The historic Sam Hill Warehouse behind the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Prescott on Montezuma Street was the site for the Sept. 24 gala.
Greg Mengarelli served as auctioneer for the live auction. He is a former school board member and immediate past mayor of Prescott. The evening featured live music and a gourmet meal planned by Chef Alex Rivera. Raskin’s Jewelers donated a special “I in 100” Diamond Raffle, where the winner received a $4,000 1-carat diamond.
An after party immediately followed the gala at Founding Fathers Collective, directly adjacent.
Jenna James, PUSD Education Foundation board chair, praised the event.
“Our school district and teachers are challenged with limited resources to provide the best educational experiences for the students,” she said. “For example, many of our teachers end up paying for school supplies out of their own pockets. If they don’t, many students will have to do without. A portion of the proceeds from Sip and Savor supports the Teacher Closet Program, which provides classroom supplies.”
More information is available online at www. pusdeducationfoundation.com or by calling 928.445.5400, ext. 70136.
A large crowd gathered Sept. 8 prior to the ribbon-cutting at Pro Solutions Dental Group at 3192 Willow Creek Rd. (Photo by Ray Newton)
Pro Dental Opens New Office Facilities
About 50 patients, friends and supporters gathered for the ribboncutting and opening of the Pro Solutions Group Dental on a bright Thursday afternoon Sept. 8 at the new offices and laboratories at 3102 Willow Creek Road.
Pro Dental Solutions group specializes in family, implant and reconstructive dentistry.
Organized by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sheri Heiney and her team, the celebration featured Jason Campbell, DDS, and his 23-member staff. A dentist in Prescott for the past 18 years, Campbell said he began planning the new facility four years ago but had been delayed a bit because of COVID-19.
“Things really slowed for a while. But these past few months, the builders and contractors have outdone themselves in preparing what is likely one of the most technologically and digitally sophisticated dental facilities now in Arizona,” Campbell told the crowd.
“I can’t express the pride I have in our efficient professional team. With six dental practitioners and 17 technical and support staff, we think we can take on virtually any dental challenge presented to us. Our increased space — more than 5,000 square feet — and 13 treatment rooms, and the additional offices, imaging, digital, analytic space and laboratory space is going to let us serve more patients in less time and in a very efficient manner.”
In addition to Chamber of Commerce, community and business personnel who welcomed Campbell and team, representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Rep. Paul Gosar’s offices were present.
In a light moment, Chamber Ambassador Stephanie Miller presented Campbell and his team with a crisp framed U.S. dollar bill, saying the Chamber was glad to give Pro Dental its first symbol of profit on the opening day for the spacious new building.
Following formal ceremonies, visitors toured the building where they received refreshments and were given raffle tickets. On entering a hallway, they passed a pastel lighted sign that said, “Smiles are made here.”
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The telephone number is 928.776.1208. More details are available online at www.prescottdentist.com.
Dignity Health Clinic Now Under Construction
After several years in planning, construction of a family and specialty medical clinic is in process on the north side at Highway 69 and Lee Boulevard.
When open in 2023, the $8-million, 10,000-square-foot building will be the site for two primary care providers and two advanced clinical practitioners, as well as for specialists who need that kind of clinical space on demand.
The immediate past president of Dignity Health and Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC), John Amos, earlier said the new hospital will welcome more family and specialty physicians on an “as needed” basis.
The new clinic is part of the Dignity Health-YRMC long-term master strategy in providing adequate health care for residents in the greater region over the next several years.
The land currently under construction was made available by longtime supporters of YRMC and Dignity Health Jim and Linda Lee, prominent community philanthropists. The Lees said the facilities were particularly needed by potential patients on the southeastern border of Prescott.
The complex was designed by Archsol Architectural Solutions and is being built by Venn Construction; both Scottsdale firm.
Anthony Torres, M.D., newly named president and CEO for Dignity Health and Yavapai Regional Center recently said he is happy to be “…shepherding the next generation of health care into the community. I’m excited to see this come to life. “
