Don Smith, SCF Arizona

I was pleased to be asked to be the first guest editor of In Business Magazine because we at SCF Arizona work with so many wonderful Valley and statewide businesses and businesspeople. It is fitting that I have this outlet to address you and discuss the content of this first issue, since SCF Arizona touches nearly 40 percent of businesses in our state.

All businesses have certainly been struck by many difficult issues over the past few years. Some sectors have been harder hit than others, but every business has been impacted. While some experts predict this recession to be over, we believe Arizona will see a slow recovery over a number a years. I believe now is the perfect time for a “hands-on” business publication like In Business Magazine — the purpose of which is to bring business people together and empower those businesses with every monthly publication.

In this issue, In Business Magazine editor RaeAnne Marsh has taken an in-depth look at our Valley employment picture through the eyes of business people entrenched in our community. She answers questions that are foremost on our minds and looks at what industries and opportunities could flourish in coming years. Arizona and the Valley are known for our ability to recharge, to be resilient and to bounce back to build and strengthen business and the economy. We’ve done it before and we will do it again. Expanding our employment base is the major indicator and something we need to be conscious of as we grow out of this recession.

The new Arizona Commerce Authority has launched to great accolades by business leaders. Governor Brewer took a courageous step to empower this public/private partnership, since every business leader understands the need for a coordinated effort to lead our State and Valley into renewed growth and economic expansion. In these pages you will see an interview with Don Cardon and a listing of the board members of the new Arizona Commerce Authority.

This premiere issue of In Business Magazine is just the beginning of a strong tool for business people, from the entrepreneur to the chairman of the board. The magazine is focused on bringing its readers relevant and useful information on leadership and management, finance, technology, sales and marketing, human resources and communication. In Business Magazine has partnered with the top business organizations to be distributed to their members each month, thereby touching those truly working hard to build business in metropolitan Phoenix and throughout Arizona.

Welcome to In Business Magazine.

Don Smith
President & CEO
SCF Arizona

Donald Smith is president and CEO of SCF Arizona, the largest workers’ compensation insurance company in Arizona, with more than 44,000 businesses insured and $3.5 billion in assets.