HOT TOPICS

Phoenix-Based Tech Co. Advances Development of Navy Laser Targeting System
DarkPulse, Inc., a Delaware corporation headquartered in Phoenix and a leader in distributed fiber-optic sensing (DFOS) technologies for real-time critical infrastructure monitoring, announced the execution of an exclusive patent license agreement (NLICENSE-NAWCWDCL-26-027) with the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) of the United States Department of … [More]

Small Business Week Puts Spotlight on Arizona’s 706,000 Small Businesses
Small businesses play a foundational role in supporting Arizona’s economy. This week, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is proud to celebrate Arizona’s small businesses and entrepreneurs as part of National Small Business Week 2026, taking place through May 9. Arizona is home to more than 706,000 small businesses that employ 1.2 million people, representing … [More]

National Builder Acquires Phoenix-Based Electrical Contractor
Tempe-based Sundt Construction, one of the country’s largest general contractors, has acquired Industrial Power Solutions (IPS), a full-service industrial electrical contractor based in Phoenix. Under the agreement, IPS will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Sundt, with some shared services and personnel. The move more than doubles the size of Sundt’s skilled … [More]

West Valley’s 1,940-Acre Rio 1900 Project Rebrands
Harvard Investments announced Solstice Foothills as the new name for its 1,940‑acre master‑planned community in the City of Goodyear, marking the first public unveiling of a new identity for the project formerly known as Rio 1900. The announcement signals a major milestone for one of the most significant land holdings in the West Valley and introduces a name that … [More]

Rafi Law Services Unveils Leadership Team following Recent Launch
Following its recent launch, Rafi Law Services (RLS) unveiled its leadership team, establishing a strong operational foundation to drive continued growth, foster innovation and elevate the client experience. Rafi Law Services, a newly formed Management Services Organization (MSO), provides operational, administrative and business support to Rafi Law Group and … [More]

Top-20 Accounting Firm Acquires Phoenix CPA & Advisory Practice
Aprio, the 20th largest business advisory and accounting firm in the U.S., has entered into an agreement to acquire Price Kong, a Phoenix-based accounting and advisory firm. The transaction, effective June 1, 2026, expands Aprio's Arizona presence and adds accounting, audit, and advisory capabilities to complement Aprio Legal's existing footprint in the market. The … [More]
TOP STORIES

Nuclear Startup Expands into Phoenix with CLO Appointment
NuCube Energy, Inc., a developer of high-temperature modular microreactors, announced the establishment of its initial on-the-ground presence in Phoenix and the appointment of Michael Green as Chief Legal Officer. The expansion follows NuCube's recent award under the U.S. Department of Energy Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program, and builds on … [More]

SRP Inks Deal to More Than Double Solar Capacity
Salt River Project announced an agreement with NextEra Energy Resources to develop 3,000 megawatts (MW) of new solar generation by the end of 2034, or enough capacity to power 595,000 Arizona homes. The solar development agreement will support SRP’s plan to more than double the capacity of its power system by 2035 while maintaining reliability and affordability and … [More]

Glendale Bank Parent Agrees to $130M Sale
BNCCORP, INC. and its wholly owned subsidiary, BNC National Bank announced it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by OppFi Inc., a tech-enabled digital finance platform, in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $130 million. The transaction brings together two complementary, market-leading businesses, combining OppFi's sophisticated … [More]

Long-Delayed One Camelback Project Advances toward 2026 Completion
After years of speculation and a high-profile ownership reset, One Camelback is no longer a question mark on the Uptown skyline. It is a construction site in motion. Kinella Capital, LLC, led by developer TK Stratton, has reached several key milestones at the long-stalled office-to-residential conversion, signaling that one of Phoenix’s most talked-about projects … [More]
FEATURED STORIES

The Hidden Cost of “Making Do” with Legacy Systems
Despite the positive influence technology can have on business, many delay technology upgrades to manage costs. But outdated systems often create hidden or unexpected expenses that are far more disruptive than the investment required to modernize. These costs can show up as downtime that interrupts customer interactions, missed sales opportunities caused by slow or … [More]

As Small Businesses Grow, Brand Risk Grows Too
As Chief Marketing Officer at Fennemore, I spend a great deal of time thinking about brands. Not just how they look or sound, but how they accumulate value over time. And sitting alongside our attorneys, I’ve picked up a few things about what it actually means to protect that value. (Not legal advice—just lessons learned from being in the room.) May is Small Business … [More]

Turning Tax Season into a Strategic Reset for Your Business
Once tax filings are complete, many business owners are ready to move on, close the books on last year and refocusing on day-to-day operations. But this window right after tax season is one of the most valuable times of year to step back and evaluate the financial health of a business with fresh, accurate data in hand. Rather than treating tax season as an … [More]
LATEST ISSUE

Data Centers in the Desert: W(h)ater You Worried About?
As data center development expands across the Phoenix region, questions about water use have moved quickly from engineering discussions to the center of public conversation. For an industry built on reliability and efficiency, the challenge is clear: How can digital infrastructure scale responsibly in one of the most water-conscious regions in the United States? Few … [More]

Artificial Intelligence Is Powerful – But It Cannot Replace a Lawyer’s Judgment
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the practice of law. From drafting contracts to analyzing discovery, AI tools can complete in minutes what once took hours. For businesses under pressure to move quickly and control costs, the appeal is obvious. But as powerful as these tools are, they cannot replace one essential component of legal representation: … [More]
LIVE AND LEARN

JINYA Ramen Explodes with Diversity
“Irasshai!” There’s no mistaking the hospitality as every guest is welcomed with this Japanese greeting upon entering the restaurant. And the “Arigato” when they leave expresses appreciation for their visit. That’s only to be expected. After all, opening a ramen bar was the expressed dream come true for Daradee Olson, who fell in love with the dish in its many … [More]

Assets … Risk … Catch the New CAPTCHA Scam?
We’ve all seen those “CAPTCHA” boxes that ask us to click on pictures of traffic lights or crosswalks to prove we aren’t a robot. Scammers are using a convincing CAPTCHA scam to trick us into handing over the keys to our computers. Usually, a security check just asks us to click a button. However, in this new “bait-and-switch” scam, the webpage says there’s an error … [More]

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 SUV
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC remains one of the clearest examples of what the midsize luxury SUV segment is supposed to do. It has real power, substantial interior space, and the kind of road presence buyers in this category still expect, but it does not try to turn itself into something more extreme than it needs to be. The turbocharged inline-six gives it … [More]
PHILANTHROPY
Babbo Supports Pancreatic Cancer Research
Babbo Italian Eatery recently hosted its fifth annual Baseball for Babbo Day of Giving, with all seven Valley locations donating 100% of profits to the Seena Magowitz Foundation in … [More]
Studio North America Donates Event Services
The Studio North America recently helped fuel Phoenix Children’s Foundation’s philanthropic mission by serving as the official event producer for the foundation’s signature … [More]
Arizona Association of REALTORS® Donates to Housing Fund
The Arizona Association of REALTORS® has awarded a $29,000 donation to the Arizona Housing Fund, with $14,000 of the donation funded from proceeds of AAR’s Homes for All specialty … [More]
POSITIONS

MedTech Manufacturer Names New COO
Confluent Medical Technologies, Inc., a medical device and materials science contract manufacturer specializing in Nitinol and polymer components, announced that Tom Testa, has … [More]

Health Screening Co. Names CMO
Outfront Health, a provider of physician-guided preventive health screenings, announced the appointment of Dr. Shane Speirs, MD, MBA, as Chief Medical Officer. In this role, Dr. … [More]

Arizona Utility Cooperative Names Industry Veteran CFO
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) announced the selection of Jasin Glasner as its next chief financial officer, effective May 11, 2026. Glasner succeeds Peter Scott, who … [More]
ACHIEVEMENTS

Employee-Owned Construction Co. Celebrates 40 Years
A.R. Mays Construction, one of Arizona’s most established commercial general contractors, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Founded in 1986 by Adam Mays, the company … [More]
Local PR Firm Named a ‘Best in U.S.’
Scottsdale-based 10 to 1 Public Relations, a public relations firm offering strategic communications services, has been named by Provoke Media to its annual list of the 100 Best … [More]
Local Bar Manager a Bartending Contender
Undertow Gilbert Bar Manager Krissy Shelberg has qualified for the national finals of Speed Rack, the internationally recognized high-speed bartending competition that celebrates … [More]
















