Inside Tucson Business 110422

By Jimmy Magahern

Inside Tucson Business is published 26 times per year (once every other week on Fridays) plus the Book of Lists in January. Cost is $1 per single issue, $50 for 26 issues, $85 for 52 issues and $105 for 78 issues. The Book of Lists is included in annual and multi-year paid subscriptions. Back issues from within the past 12 months are $1 each. Delivery is available by U.S. Postal Service.

ADMINISTRATION

Steve T. Strickbine Publisher

Michael Hiatt Vice President

Claudine Sowards Accounting, claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com

EDITORIAL

Christina Fuoco, Executive Editor, christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Katya Mendoza, Staff Reporter, kmendoza@timespublications.com

Hope Peters, Staff Reporter, kmenhpeters@timespublications.com

Karen Schaffner, Staff Reporter, kschaffner@timespublications.com

PRODUCTION

Courtney Oldham Production Manager, TucsonProduction@timespublications.com

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CIRCULATION

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ADVERTISING

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NATIONAL ADVERTISING

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EDITORIAL & AD CONTENT

Inside Tucson Business expresses its opinion in the editorial. Opinions expressed in guest commentaries, perspectives, cartoons or letters to the editor are those of the author. The content and claims of any advertisement are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Tucson Local Media assumes no responsibility for the claims or content of any advertisement. Publisher has the right to edit for size or refuse any advertisement at his or her discretion.

Visit Tucson CEO brings in plenty of Tucson guests

By Karen Schaffner Tucson Local Media

There’s a reason J. Filipe García has been named the 2022 Hispanic Busi nessman of the Year by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

In fact, there are nearly a billion reasons.

“For us to take a lead in the Mexico market, I can tell you we’re a leader in the U.S.,” García said.

“I talk to peers in com munities in California, New Mexico and Texas and they all see us as an exam ple, a model of tapping into that market. We were able to go from close to $300 million a year in the eco nomic impact from Mexico visitors to close to $1 bil lion, so the Mexico market is really good for us.”

García can take credit for that. As president and chief executive officer of Visit Tucson, he has touched every Tucsonan with his work.

He oversaw and contin ues to oversee the growth of the Mexico market here in Tucson to the tune of 21 million visitors last year. That, among other reasons, is why he is being recog nized by the chamber.

“When Felipe’s name was brought up to our com mittee it was an obvious and easy decision for us to make,” said chamber presi dent Rob Elias. “The things that he’s done for our city over the years, Tucson would be a much different place without him.”

The chamber has certain

criteria nominees must meet to be considered.

“We take into consider ation a number of items when we’re voting for Businessman of the Year,” Elias said. “None more important than what is the contribution that they’ve made to Tucson, and would Tucson be the same without this individual?”

Garcia met that criteri on, but many Tucsonans do not realize how much of an impact he makes on the city; he works quietly behind the scenes.

Expanding the market

Considering that it’s practically a Herculean task to get here legally (and ille gally) from Mexico, it’s sur prising that so many come.

The actual travel is the easy part. It’s the paperwork that wears one out.

“When people from Mexico come to the U.S., they need to get a visa,” García said. “First you have to get your Mexican passport, and you pay about $80, $90 for a 10-year passport. Then you have to make an appointment at a U.S. consulate or embas sy. Then you pay for the interview, not for the visa, so if you are denied you lose the money. Once you are granted an interview you fill out paperwork. If it’s a renewal, it’s an easier process but you still have to pay for it.”

The day comes when your

Business tips for launching a startup

Tucson supports and nurtures the entrepreneuri al spirit with a rich sense of community that encourages small businesses to thrive. Launching a business is no small feat, and it’s important to lean on your community and resources to ensure a successful startup. Cox BLUE shares helpful articles for business owners to stay up to date on industry trends and provides tips for running a successful business at coxblue. com. Check out the additional tips listed below for getting your business up and running.

1. Create a brand. Map out how you’d like your business to appear visually and keep it consistent across channels including on your website, in your marketing and on social media. Things like a mission statement, key messages, logo, and brand colors are impor tant pieces to include in your brand guidelines.

2. Utilize templates. When it comes to starting a business, there are many forms and templates available online, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Bplans. com offers many free busi ness templates for proposals, investor pitches, branding, cash flow, and more.

3. Pick a home. When selecting an office or business space, keep in mind where your potential customers are located, zoning restrictions, parking situations and com petition. Nowadays, many companies are opting to be fully remote as well.

4. Prioritize legal. In vesting in an attorney early on is a smart move to protect yourself from legal issues in the future, such as copyright and contractual concerns. Skipping this step can lead to detrimental consequences down the line.

5. Know your finances. Read up on how to track and manage your revenues,

expenses, profits, etc., or hire someone who can do it for you.

6. Hire to win. While staffing your startup, look for candidates who will share your passion for success. Open minded, action ori ented and a positive attitude are three traits you’ll want to check off.

7. Find your audience. A majority of start-ups need to focus heavily on marketing to get the word out about their new business. At Cox, we use our social media pages to engage with customers and to provide information on new products. Consider setting aside a sepa rate fund to invest in social and traditional marketing.

8. Perfect your pitch. You want to be ready for any opportunity to sell your idea. Put together a 5-minute sales pitch that will spark inter est and keep it handy while networking — you never know who will be moved by it.

9. Test it out. Focus groups and surveys can be lifesavers when it comes to launching anything new. Test out your product ideas, branding and messaging on target audiences to see what resonates with them most, and where you can make improvements.

10. Leverage resources. Several government programs offer free assistance with business funding, advice, training, mentoring and more. The Arizona Small Business Association, Busi nessUSA and Tucson SCORE are a few great places to find small business support.

Lisa Lovallo is the Southern Arizona market vice president for Cox Com munications. A Tucson native, Lovallo serves on numerous community boards including Sun Corridor Inc., the Southern Arizona Leadership Coun cil, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Mu seum and The Arizona We Want. To learn more about Cox’s philanthropy projects, visit coxcharities.org.

PEOPLEINACTION

Cradle to Career Partnership names two co-chairs

The Cradle to Career Partnership — a results-focused collaborative anchored at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona committed to ensuring that children and youth in Pima County have access to opportunities and resources to succeed not only in school but in life — named Dr. Dolores Durán-Cerda and Marc Cameron co-chairs in its Leadership Council.

The Cradle to Career Leadership Council is comprised of leaders from business, education, govern ment, and other sectors across Southern Arizona who are dedicated to equitable outcomes for all young people in our community. The Leadership Council supports the work of C2C by lending their expertise to guide the work and amplify the impact of the Partnership.

Durán-Cerda serves as provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at Pima Commu nity College, where she focuses on student success, community engagement and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has served on several national and state boards and advisory panels including The University of Arizona’s W.A. Franke Honors Advisory Board, the National Phi Beta Kappa Senate, the Ari zona Minority Education Policy Analysis Center, Arizona Women in Higher Education Board of Directors, Women United of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, the Cradle to Career Leadership Council of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, and others.

Cameron is a senior vice president of Caterpillar Inc. with responsibility for the resource industries sales, services and technology division. He oversees all aspects of go-to-market strategy for surface and underground mining, as well as services and technology. Prior to joining Caterpillar in 2020, Cameron spent 18 years at Rio Tinto, one of Caterpillar’s largest customers, where he held various leadership roles including President and Chief Operating Officer for Diavik Diamond Mines and the Managing Director for Kennecott Utah Copper.

“We are very proud of the Cradle to Career Partnership and the valuable work they do in our community,” stated Tony Penn, president and CEO of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. “This critical work of improving educational and economic outcomes is more important than ever. We need all hands-on deck to train the current and fu ture workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. On behalf of our staff and volunteers, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Dolores and Marc as they step in to take these new servant leadership roles.”

Kevin Boyle joins Tierra Antigua Realty

After retiring from Merit Foods of Arizona earlier this year, Kevin Boyle complet ed his real estate licensing and joined Tierra Antigua Realty, Southern Arizona’s largest local real estate sales team.

“I have always been interested in real estate, having bought and sold several houses and invested in rental property. I look forward to helping people find their new homes,” he said.

Boyle has also started a food service consulting business, KCB212 Enterprises LLC, geared toward restaurant operators, food service distributors, and food brokers and manufacturers. With over 40 years of experience in restaurants and distributing, he has a passion to helping build teams and increase efficien cy and profitability.

He is also representing Lynco West Food Brokers in Southern Arizona.

Peterson named Imago Dei Middle School’s development officer

Randy Peterson was recently hired as development officer for Imago Dei Middle School.

He will oversee individual, business and corporate donations and tax credits, grant writing, special events and other ways to support the mission of Imago Dei Middle School.

Peterson brings more than 23 years of local experience in nonprofit development and management to the role. He was previously with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, and KXCI Community Radio.

2022 Book of Lists

Dr. Dolores Durán-Cerda

Kevin Boyle

Marc Cameron

return-to-office phase

By Jimmy Magahern Tucson Local Media

Return-to-office man dates, on the increase since Labor Day, have sparked a national debate in business over the value of in-person collaboration. CEOs are finding that value proposi tion an especially hard sell when hybrid plans often result in staggered handfuls of employees coming in to a barren office, with no one to collaborate with.

But Mark Van Dyke, for

associate dean of research at the University of Arizona’s Department of Biomedical Engineering in 2020, as re mote work was fast becom ing a necessity.

“I mean, even though we’ve all kind of adapted to life after the pandemic and doing things by emails and phone calls and Zoom calls, when you’re working in the development of new medical technologies, so much of this stuff is kind of hands on.”

For Van Dyke and other

move innovations forward –are a big part of what’s made the city a hub of biosciences

UA’s “innovation ecosys tem,” as its directors like to call it, encompasses a wide swath of facilities: the university’s Health Sciences academic medical center; the biomedical engineer ing program at its College of Engineering; the BIO5 Institute; Tech Launch Arizona, the “commerciali zation arm” of the universi ty; and Tech Parks Arizona, which operates a network its associate VP Carol Stewart describes as “the intersec tion between academia and industry.”

“There is an incredible number of opportunities for businesses to collaborate with the University,” Stewart said. “Our tech parks are strategic locations that foster business creation and growth for businesses of all

sizes, from startups to tech giants. They work alongside each other in a fast-paced innovative environment. And we stand ready to sup port businesses of all sizes and facilitate the universi ty-industry interaction in various ways, from research partnerships to employment and internship opportuni ties.”

One facet of Tech Parks AZ, a science and technolo gy startup incubator network with locations across south ern Arizona collectively known as the University of Arizona Center for Inno vation (UACI), boasts the highest concentration of startups “in any program, anywhere in the state of Ari zona,” according to Stewart. “There are 77 startups in the UACI program and 27 are in the field of bioscience and health. That means that 35% of the startups we serve are in the bioscience/health

sciences field.”

Recent startups range from Reglagene, a preclin ical stage oncology thera peutics company developing new medicines that fight cancer safely, to Red Sea Farms’ climate-smart tech nology designed to enable sustainable agriculture in harsh environments, to uP etsia, a company developing “a harmless bacteria strain to battle bad breath in our furry friends.”

Because of all the differ ent hands involved in devel oping bioscience innova tions and bringing them to market, biotech is one field where it’s particularly hard to work remotely, according to Van Dyke.

“That may work for other forms of technology, like developing cellphone apps or even cutting-edge tech nologies in the energy do main,” he said. “But when you’re bringing new medical technologies into clinical practice and especially down a commercialization path way, you’re bringing new products into a system is inherently complicated, and no one person really knows how to do all of that. There’s a lot of things that go into bringing something from, say, discovery at a university to something that actually can be used in mainstream medical practice. It takes teams of people to make that happen, and all of that is really facilitated by that proximity.”

Creating that proximity is the goal of all cities aiming to emerge as a biotech hub, says Van Dyke, who,

(submitted photo)

CHAMBER CHATTER

BY FRANK VELÁSQUEZ JR

Creating viable and attainable career pathways

After last year’s launch of Tucson Metro Cham ber’s Workforce Blueprint Initiative — a five-part strategic plan created to enable a regional approach to the issues associated with the region’s workforce and the talent development ecosystem — Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) has made substantial progress in implement ing the Greater Tucson Career Literacy Initiative strategy with the rollout of a comprehensive career exploration and action plan program at Sunnyside

Unified School District (SUSD).

In October 2021, conversations began with SUSD to pilot the Greater Tucson Career Literacy In itiative in SUSD’s middle schools in partnership with the Tucson Metro Cham ber and CFA’s Arizona Pathways to Prosperity (APTP) initiative.

The collaborative pro gram will launch in the fall at all the middle schools in the district, and incorpo rates a robust career explo ration curriculum, guided activities for students, and

provides guidelines and materials for engagement with industry. Importantly, this program at SUSD will serve as the model for oth er school districts inter ested in bolstering career exploration for students.

CFA has developed well-planned and sup ported career exploration curriculum that will enable students to gain awareness and exposure to a wide ar ray of careers, develop em ployability skills, increase self-awareness and form their occupational iden tity, develop foundational

skills, become positioned to make more informed educational choices and transition to high school and postsecondary with an actionable plan to achieve their career goals. How ever, it’s not just about having an innovative cur riculum.

Aaron Ball, Ed.D., CFA director of College & Ca reer Pathways and member of Tucson Metro Cham ber’s Blueprint Steering Committee, firmly believes that it’s how students en gage with the information that is most critical. “It’s one thing to have great curriculum and resources. Creating effective and sus tainable career and college pathways requires helping students understand career exploration and why it is important, to gain expo sure to different careers in tangible ways, and then, of course, the conditions for all of that to be reinforced by informed parents, teachers, and other influ ences in the community. It requires strategic, inter connected systems working together and that’s exactly what all of us partners are focused on.”

With the partnership of LeadLocal, Arizona Business and Education Coalition (ABEC), The Pima County School Superintendent’s Office, CommunityShare, and The Sunnyside Founda tion, CFA directed and facilitated a multi-staged

planning process with the district and middle school administrators to develop the district-wide career exploration plan. Tucson Metro Chamber industry members have committed to participate in the Initia tive by engaging and intro ducing students to viable, rewarding career paths through speaking engage ments and by supporting classroom projects.

Going forward, CFA will convene all the partners monthly to identify ways to continue improving direct support for the school career exploration plans to empower students.

CFA’s Arizona Pathways to Prosperity (APTP) initiative has an exten sive history of bringing industry and education together to create seamless college and career pathways that increase educational attainment, prepare young people for high-demand career fields, and meet state and regional talent needs.

Career exploration starting at a young age is one critical element in setting students on pathways to long-term success. Yet most young people get little advice about education pathways to careers and possibilities; few families understand the current or future labor market; teachers typically have little interaction with contemporary high-growth industries and know little

about labor market data and shifts in education and workforce needs.

SUSD is an example of how schools and districts can fill these gaps through a systems-wide, cross-sec tor collaborative approach.

Ball stated that the Greater Tucson Career Literacy Initiative “is a shining example of what is possible when an entire community works together to achieve shared goals.”

I wholeheartedly agree. As the director of work force initiatives at Tucson Metro Chamber, I believe that by sharing the variety of career paths through this Initiative will give Tucson’s southside middle schoolers the oppor tunity to dream, plan, and achieve. And while making these opportunities accessible has historically been the responsibility of educators, it will be through innovative collab oratives such as this one in which our local businesses, nonprofit agencies, gov ernment representatives, community-based organi zations along with educa tors have collectively made this our responsibility.

For more information about the Greater Tucson Career Literacy Initiative and how you can share your industry insight into our future workforce talent in SUSD’s middle schools, email me: fvelasquezjr@ tucsonchamber.org.

Not a bank account.

The Physio Shop celebrates anniversary

By Tom Leyde Tucson Local Media

The Physio Shop in Oro Valley is a place to heal, strengthen and thrive.

Opened one year ago at 6011 N. Oracle Road, Suite 151, the business special izes in physical therapy, strength and conditioning, sport performance, speed and agility, balance, fall prevention and main tenance. And there is a strong emphasis on the individual client.

The business website calls it “a one-stop shop for all things health and fitness, with world-class physical therapy, athletic training and personalized physio training under one roof.”

There’s a feeling of warmth and friendliness when you walk in the door. That’s in part because of Ellie, a light brown and white doodle dog who greets everyone with a wag

of the tail and a gentle sniff or two.

How The Physio Shop came to be is a story in itself. It starts with Jason Klein, co-founder and co-owner. The Tucson native earned a doctorate in physical therapy at NAU. There, he provided med

ical aid to the university’s football, volleyball, soccer, tennis and track and field teams, winning the school’s Professional Service Award.

While going to college Klein had a number of internships at the Universi ty of Arizona, where he was mentored by trainers with the university’s football and tennis programs. Four of his mentors now work at The Physio Shop.

After finishing his doc torate, Steve Antonopulos, then-head of athletic train ing at the UofA, suggested he apply for the job of physical therapist/assistant athletic trainer with the Denver Broncos. He did and was hired.

Klein was working in that position when the Broncos went to Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. They were beaten by the Seattle Seahawks, 43-8. “We got our butts beat,” Klein recalled.

he said, he found private practice frustrating, after working in the dynamic world of athletics. So, he bounced the idea of The Physio Shop off his former mentors and his soon-tobe partner, Jason Dorsch, who operates The Physio Shop in Flagstaff.

With the help of four local therapists, the busi ness was launched on Sept. 13, 2021. “All (four) had run businesses. ...,” Klein said. “They really helped to guide us along the way.”

Klein also credits The Physio Shop’s landlord, Bob Gugino. “He saw the passion of what we were trying to do and he also saw our naivety.”

A ribbon cutting was held at the shop on Oct. 18.

Klein is a board-certified specialist in sport physical therapy. He specializes in the treatment and pre vention of musculoskel etal injuries, including post-surgical rehabilitation, sports-specific injuries, concussion rehabilitation and management and spinal dysfunction. He focuses on providing research-in formed interventions that meld functional movements, strength and conditioning principles and hands-on manual therapy interventions in an engag ing, collaborative environ ment.

football team, the Tucson Roadrunners hockey team and the Pima County Surf soccer club.

phasizes a balanced work/ home life schedule.

Jason Klein, co-founder and co-owner of the Physio Shop in Oro Valley with his dog Ellie at the business, 6011 N. Oracle Road. Ellie sits on a saddle on a 55-gallon drum used by clients to practice roping.

After working in the NFL, Klein opened a private physical therapy practice in Tucson. But,

In its first year, Klein said, The Physio Shop hired 12 more people. It also won the Oro Valley Small Business of the Year award. The business has partnerships to provide its services to the Tuc son Sugar Skulls indoor

But The Physio Shop cli nicians work with all kinds of patients/clients. They range from Olympic Trials qualifiers and retired pick leball enthusiasts to soccer moms, high school athletes and people recovering from surgery. “Our clinicians treat every single patient like an elite athlete,” the business website reads.

“The goal,” Klein said, “is to give everybody what they need to improve and to thrive.”

That includes the staff. Klein said the business em

Because of the mentoring he received as a student, Klein offers a mentoring program for students who work at The Physio Shop. More than 15 worked there during the shop’s first year.

Being active in the com munity is another one of the shop’s goals. “We want people to feel like they can connect,” Klein said.

The Physio Shop

6011 N. Oracle Road, Suite 151, Oro Valley 520-561-0101 thephysioshops.com

(Tom Leyde/Contributor)

Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee Mel Potter has his pulse checked by physical therapist Jenny Wyly at the Physio Shop.

(Tom Leyde/Contributor)

Susan Luebbermann works on strength training under the watchful eye of athletic trainer Marley Pinon.

(Tom Leyde/Contributor)

visa arrives. Are you then legally allowed in? Maybe.

“A visa is not a guaran teed entry into the U.S.,” García said. “It means that you are allowed to present yourself to the U.S. and say, ‘Hey, can I come in?’”

To encourage those important Mexico dol lars to come here, García opened tourism offices in Hermosillo and Obregon. However, Mexico visitors may only go so far into the country.

“What people don’t realize is there’s an area called the border zone, and it was an agreement made between the U.S. and Mexico many years ago to try to promote investment and growth in the border communities, so they tell people, ‘OK if you are trav

eling in that border zone you only need that visa to be allowed to go in.’”

Any farther than that 25mile border zone, however, and it’s a different story, involving a second inter view and more money for the I-94 visa, and a denial is still possible.

Because Tucson is about 60 to 70 miles from the nearest border, which is in Nogales, it is a lot of trou ble to come here to spend money.

García asked himself how he could better market Tuc son to Mexico; he found an answer.

“Let’s find a way that we become a welcoming desti nation,” he said. “How can we make it easier? What can we do to give them a better excuse to come and spend money? One of them was easier travel.”

He worked with a congressional delegation, including former U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, amending the border zone to 75 miles in Arizona and only Arizo na. It made a big dollar difference, attracting, among others, developers who built Tucson Premium Outlets, for example.

“That (change in the border zone) has been a game changer for Tucson, and I think that has posi tioned Tucson as a leader in all the U.S.,” García said.

He also works with the U.S. Customs at Tucson International Airport be cause private jets bringing visitors from Mexico land at TIA, sometimes as many as a dozen planes a day.

Why do people from Mexico go to the trouble? The answer is simple: shopping.

García said 70% of the Mexico visitors resources go to shopping.

“In Mexico they don’t have the variety of prod ucts, and the prices are higher for the same prod ucts,” he said.

García, 52, grew up in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and has been here since 1994. He had only planned to stay for the two years it took him to get his master’s degree at the Uni versity of Arizona, but fate had other plans. He met his wife in class.

García has been active in the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and once served on its board of directors. When García’s nomination came in, the vote was unani mous, said Elias.

“Felipe is one of the gems that we have in Tucson,”

Elias said, “I’ve had the privilege of knowing him for a number of years now and I just can’t say enough positive things about what he does, what he has done for the organization, Visit Tucson. He’s such a giving individual. He lights up a room when he enters. He’s incredibly well connected; he’s incredibly intelligent, but the beautiful thing about him is he’s so humble about it.”

Because of the money Mexico visitors bring into Tucson, García has also implemented a workshop for business owners to learn how to court a piece of that pie. It’s for any size business, from the smallest boutique to the largest corporations, and you don’t have to speak Spanish to do it. It’s main ly a matter of knowing and

acknowledging cultural differences.

“We teach a class called, ‘15 Steps to be Mexico Ready,’” García said. “We teach our local businesses how to do business with the Mexico visitor. How do you serve them better?”

In the end, the work has been very satisfying.

“I’m very proud of what we do here,” Garcia said.

For information about the class, or about what’s happening in Tucson, visit visittucson.org.

Join García at the cele bration of his and others’ awards at the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Noche de Exitos and Bi-National Awards Gala, set for Friday, Nov. 4, at Casino del Sol. For information, visit tuc sonhispanicchamber.org/ gala. ITB

Group works to elevate women

By Tom Leyde Tucson Local Media

Two Oro Valley women who founded a group to support female business owners are seeing the group expand and grow in other communities.

Hilda Ramirez and Nelly Holst formed Women Entrepreneurs of Oro Valley in 2019 with the vision of empowering and elevating women.

The group provides mentorship, business ed ucation and financial lit eracy to its 41 members. As a group, members also become members of the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. There are monthly meetings fea turing speakers on issues that affect women-owned businesses and a month ly coffee social open to members only.

Ramirez, a native of Mexico, was an Army wife for 21 years before

her husband retired. She is a business consultant who works with startups and owner of a European coffee house in Catalina. Ramirez also is a Realtor and notary.

When she and her husband left military life and moved to Oro Valley, Ramirez said, it was a major lifestyle change. “I wanted to have a group where women felt welcome and with out judgment and for professional experience,” she said.

Ramirez met Holst at a vendor event and started talking about forming a group for women and doing their own events.

“Nelly has been my big gest supporter,” she said. “She’s always been beside me. She’s great.”

Holst is originally from Peru and moved to Oro Valley 15 years ago from Simi Valley, California. She is a nutrition advo

cate and works for Juice Plus.

There are some 12.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States, generating about $1.8 million in revenue.

Women control $20 tril lion in annual spending and that number is ex pected to increase to $28 trillion in coming years. In Arizona, about 20.9% of employer businesses were owned by women in 2020.

“We’re looking to grow because there’s a need for women entrepreneurs to collaborate with each other,” Holst said.

A chapter of the group recently formed in Marana, and another will form next month in Catalina. Other chapters are expected to start in Green Valley and Santa Rita Ranch.

What are the benefits of joining the group?

“I feel one of them is

Nelly Holst is originally from Peru and moved to Oro Valley 15 years ago from Simi Valley, California.

we’re able to refer busi nesses with each other,” Holst said. “And the support. ... We’re able to brainstorm. We listen to each other.”

The membership of

Hilda Ramirez, a native of Mexico, was an Army wife for 21 years before her husband retired.

Women Entrepreneurs of Oro Valley includes women in law, insurance, marketing, photography, health, landscaping, travel, wine and finance.

“When I meet someone

new (in the group) their stories are just amazing,” Ramirez said.

Every year Women En trepreneurs of Oro Valley holds a luncheon event with business booths by professional women. “We just want to tell the community that we’re here for them, to elevate women and support their businesses,” Ramirez said.

“It’s a pleasure for me, it’s a blessing,” Holst said about her involvement in the group. “It always comes back. Whatever you put in it’s always coming back to you. The group is very positive. They give good feedback and they’re always there to help you.”

Women Entrepreneurs of Oro Valley weofov.com

(Women Entrepreneurs of Oro Valley/Submitted)

Members of Women Entrepreneurs of Oro Valley meet at Urban Grove in Oro Valley.

(Hilda Ramirez/Submitted)

(Nelly Holst/Submitted)

prior to coming to Tucson, worked at the prestigious Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina and the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech. He said that the “innovation eco system” concept touted by UArizona “isn’t necessarily all that unique. But I would say getting it to work well is unique.”

“Universities tend to focus on developing the technologies, but we’re not necessarily incentivized to do that business piece of it,” he said. “So you need people actually from out side of academia who come in and say, ‘Hey, I think this could be a solution, but it’s got a long way to go and I’m a person who

has the expertise that can take it down that pathway.’

People inside academia don’t necessarily have a great understanding of how things work outside of it, and folks from outside

academia don’t necessarily have a great understand ing of how things work inside academia. So this difference in cultures between the academic and business is difficult to

navigate sometimes. And I think that’s where Tucson is achieving success while many other areas around the country are kind of struggling with it.”

Dyke is excited about the university’s prospects in landing some of the new programs being launched by federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, which he said have “definitely being more prescriptive” than he’s seen in his previous 25 years in the field.

“In the past, it would be like, ‘Here’s some funding that’s available. Work on this problem,’ and they would leave it to us to kind of figure out how we wanted to approach that,” he said.

“Now the legislation and even the federal agencies who are putting this money out there are being much more deliberate and pre scriptive and saying, ‘You will address this problem in the following ways.’

“And they’re adding

added. “Especially on the economic development side, they’re very concerned about encouraging and supporting workforce development, equity and access across all different groups and soci oeconomic backgrounds. The programs are required to create greater access to folks who’ve kind of been left out of the conversation in the past, and to focus on the benefit to some of these underserved communities – getting the innovations out of the university and putting them into practice in ways that create economic opportunity.

“So there’s tons of activity going on that is bringing a lot of people together, I think, that haven’t necessar ily worked together in the past,” Van Dyke said. “And there’s something new and different about this that I’ve never seen before.” ITB

(submitted photo)

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Tucson Local Media

San Diego-based Tower 16 Capital Partners has sold a pair of multi family assets in Tucson for $65.15 million to an undisclosed buyer.

The 459-unit twopack was assembled by Tower 16 over the last 24 months with the com pany instituting a heavy repositioning effort to all the assets. The properties consist of Sierra Vista and La Mirada Apart ments.

“We are excited to an nounce the successful sale of these assets to a strong and reputable buyer, who knows the Tucson market well,” said Tower 16 co-founder Mike Far ley. “Upon our acquisi tion, both assets needed significant physical and management improve ment, which we quickly implemented at the two properties. The result was an execution that we are proud of, leaving both properties well po sitioned to take advantage of the strong economic dynamics of the Tucson market.”

Both assets received significant renovations including the leasing offices, outdoor amenity areas and interior unit renovations on 40% of units. Tower 16 pur chased the properties for $36 million and spent $4.9 million on im provements during the approximate two years

they owned the proper ties. The new buyer plans to continue the renova tion efforts to further improve the appeal and performance of the assets.

Sierra Vista consists of 258 apartment units located at 3535 N. First Avenue. The property has two pools, a new club house, leasing office and gym. La Mirada has 201 apartment units and is located at 4415 E. Grant Road. La Mirada has two pools, a new clubhouse with a fitness center, and a new outdoor amenity area.

“These properties were exceptional projects for not only Tower 16 but for our investors and, most importantly, the residents of our communities.

Tucson has proven to be a unique market with strong fundamentals for multifamily, especially in the workforce housing space,” said Tower 16 co-founder Tyler Pru ett. “The marketplace remains at the top of our list for investment as we are confident in the future of Tucson and its continued growth, in spite of the uncer tain national economic outlook.”

The properties were marketed earlier this year by Institutional Property Advisor’s Tucson team who represented Tow er 16 in the sale. The IPA team was led by Art Wadlund, Clint Wadlund, and Hamid Panahi.

SALES

Norma Jane Prop erties LLC purchased 2,884-square-foot medical office building at 5602 E. Fifth Street for $517,000. Gordon Wag ner with NAI Horizon represented the seller, Bentson Investments LLC; Colette Barajas with Centra Realty rep resented the buyer in this transaction.

Gibraltar Develop ment Partners Acquires 2.83 acres of land for a self-storage project at I-10 and Valencia Road

±2.83 acres of vacant land at the southeast cor ner of Interstate 10 and Valencia Road have been sold to Gibraltar Devel opment Partners LLC, a self-storage developer based in Phoenix. The sale price was $810,000 and the transaction closed on Oct. 6.

Craig Finfrock of Commercial Retail Ad visors LLC represented buyer, Tucson–Valencia I-10 SS LLC, and the seller, Jay Shree Ram Inc., represented itself in this transaction. Founded in 2001, Commercial Retail Advisors special izes in the leasing and sales of shopping centers and retailer tenant rep resentation throughout southern Arizona.

Western American In

vestments LLC purchased a 11,580-square-foot in dustrial building at But terfield Business Center, 4775 S. Coach Drive in Tucson, from DLB Properties LLC, Pamela Boehner RLB Properties, LLC, and MTOB LLC for $1.145 million. Paul Hooker, SIOR, principal, and Robert C. Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, principal, industrial specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the seller in this transaction.

Larissa Holdings LLC purchased 3,394 square feet of retail space at 522-526 N. Alvernon Way in Tucson from Starsys Development Company for $385,000. Rob Tomlinson, princi pal, retail specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the seller in this transaction. Esther Empens with Tierra Antigua Realty represented the buyer.

Breakers 40, lot 10, was purchased by Gamma Fence & Metal Fabrica tion LLC for $250,000 ($5.62/square foot). The transaction closed on Sept. 22. The property near Tangerine Road and Interstate 10 in Mara na is a total of 44,419 square feet (1.01 acres). Tim Healy with CBRE Tucson, represented the Seller, MC Tangerine Property, LLC and the Buyer, Gamma Fence & Metal Fabrication, LLC.

3815, 3818 and 3820 North Runway Drive was purchased by SMS Construction, LLC for $1 million. The transac tion closed Sept. 22. The property located near Interstate 10 and Prince Road in Tucson is a total of 2,185 square feet and sits on 3.07 acres.

Catholic Communi ty Services of Southern Arizona Inc. purchased 19,558 square feet of of fice space at 1650 E. Fort Lowell Road in Tucson from Serenity Holdings VII LLC for $2.785 mil lion. Paul Hooker, SIOR, principal, and Thomas J. Nieman, principal, with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the seller in this transaction. David Volk with Volk Company represented the buyer.

Delo University Bun galow LLC purchased University Bungalows, a 2,410-square-foot investment property at 1647 N. Santa Rita Avenue in Tucson. The seven-unit apartment property was purchased from AZ 1647 Santa Rita LP for $1.2 million. Al lan Mendelsberg, prin cipal, and Conrad Joey Martinez, multifamily specialists, with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented both parties in this transaction.

BDW Land Investments LLC purchased 8,010 square feet of industrial

space at 3808 E. 37th Street in Tucson, from 3808 E. 37th Street LLC for $700,000. Paul Hooker, SIOR, principal, industrial specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the seller in this transaction.

LEASE

The University of Arizona leased 5,242 square feet of office space at 715 N. Park Avenue, from Campus Christian Center Corporation. Molly Mary Gilbert, office specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transac tion.

Danny Walsh, dba Angelo’s Pizza and Gy ros, renewed their lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,200 square feet of retail space at Ruthrauff Com merce Center, 2410 W. Ruthrauff Road, Suite 170 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, princi pal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transac tion.

Secure Lane LLC added an expansion space of 1,200 square feet of industrial space at South Dodge Business

REAL ESTATE

PICOR, represented the landlord in this transac tion.

Center, 3220 S. Dodge Boulevard, Suite 9 in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, princi pal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transac tion.

Arizona Optical Me trology LLC renewed its lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 862 square feet of indus trial space at Ruthrauff Commerce Center, 2430 W. Ruthrauff Road, Suite 122 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, princi pal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield |

CCS Presentation Systems LLC signed an 18-month lease for 4,800 SF of industrial space at 740 E Ajo Way. This transaction was handled by Tim Healy, first vice president, with CBRE.

MTD Consumer Products Mexico, S de RL de CV, a subsidiary of Stanley Black and Decker, leased 129,600 square feet of industrial space at SECOMEX- Carretera La Colorada, KM 6, S/N, Parque Industrial Sonora in Hermosillo, Mexico, from Solucion E Importacion Sonoyta S.A de C.V. Jose Dabdoub, Industrial Specialist with

Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the tenant in this transac tion.

Arizona Food Bank Network leased 35,920 square feet of industrial space at Pacific Trellis Fruit, 13 Calle Cristina, in Nogales, from ACKA #3 Limited Partnership. Jose Dabdoub, industrial apecialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

C&D Holdings LLC dba Bio-One of leased 6,040 square feet of industrial space at 500 E. 29th Street in Tucson, from Tin Cup Properties LLC. Jesse Blum and Paul Hooker, principals and industrial specialists with Cushman & Wakefield |

PICOR, represented the landlord in this transac tion.

Darius Dean Kruger leased 3,375 square feet of industrial space at Eastpoint Business Plaza, 1603 S. Eastside Loop, Suite 201 in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hook er, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

Sonya Keil, dba Trans formers Landscaping, leased 2,400 square feet of industrial space at Town Central Business Park, 5001 E. 29th Street in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, princi

pal, and Andrew Keim, industrial specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transac tion.

Starbucks Corp. leased 2,400 square feet of re tail space at 4633 W. Ajo Way in Tucson, from Six teenth & Ajo LLC. Greg Furrier, Principal, retail specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the tenant in this transaction. Peter Villaescusa with CBRE, Tucson, represented the landlord.

Tyler Meigs renewed their lease with Pe gasus Tucson Owner LLC for 2,000 square feet of industrial space at Eastpoint Business Plaza, 1603 S. Eastside

Loop, Suite 203A in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

AJK Communication Enterprises LLC, dba Palo Verde Communications, renewed its lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,440 square feet of industrial space, at Exchange Place, 1870 W. Prince Road, Suite 31 in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, rep resented the landlord in this transaction.

REAL ESTATE

SB’s Renovations LLC leased 1,200 square feet of industrial space at Town Central Business Park, 4937 E. 29th Street in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, princi pal, and Andrew Keim, industrial specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transac tion

Chainfruit Services LLC renewed its lease with Pe gasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,200 square feet of office space at Ruthrauff Commerce Center, 2410 W. Ruthrauff Road, Suite 100, in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, princi pal, Andrew Keim, and

Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transac tion.

Erika Andrade Jaquez, dba Estilo’s ALGAXI, leased 1,200 square feet of retail space at Plaza Azteca, 3553 S. 12th Avenue, Suite 125, in Tucson, from NAI Investments LLC. Cintya Denisse Angu lo Garcia, commercial specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

Erika Andrade Jaquez, dba Jocelynne’s Boots, renewed her lease with NAI Investments LLC for 1,200 square feet of retail space at Plaza Azte ca, 3553 S. 12th Avenue,

Suite 181, in Tucson. Cintya Denisse Angu lo Garcia, commercial specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

Verdugo’s Concrete & Pool Design LLC leased 1,000 square feet of industrial space at Town Central Business Park, 5013 E. 29th Street in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Princi pal, and Andrew Keim, industrial specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transac tion.

Prestige Devotion Hospice LLC and Pres tige Health Staffing LLC leased 908 square feet

of office space at But terfield Business Park, 4555 S. Palo Verde Road, Suite 163, Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Own er LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, principal, and Andrew Keim, industrial specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

Nohemi Puebla, dba Frutilandia Raspados y Mas, renewed her lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 900 square feet of retail space at Midpoint Business Plaza, 1835 S. Alver non Way, Suite 205, Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord

in this transaction.

Above All Services LLC renewed its lease with Pegasus Tucson Own er LLC for 816 square feet of industrial space at Midpoint Business Plaza, 3941 E. 29th Street, Suite 604, in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

Andy Newell renewed a lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 800 square feet of retail space at Midway Business Park, 4500 E. Speedway Boulevard, Suite 85, Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, principal, Andrew Keim, and Molly Mary

Gilbert with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

VieMed Inc. leased 135 square feet of office space at Ruthrauff Com merce Center, 2410 W. Ruthrauff Road, Suite 110-E, Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Own er LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, industrial specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord in this transaction.

12 Spa Massage leased 1,200 square feet at 5825 E. Speedway Boulevard, from Reddington Plaza LLC. Cameron Casey of Oxford Realty Advisors represented the tenant and landlord.

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