It’s hard to prepare for a company’s future without the topic shifting to leadership by the “next generation.” Instead of adding one more item to the in-house to-do list, help is available through a new offering from the Arizona Technology Council. The development program Emerging Leaders Council is underway with a cohort that includes a chief operating officer; a director of … [More]
Welcome Aboard
New directors offer variety of experiences to benefit Council
Neil Calfee, executive director, Economic Development + Innovation Zones, Arizona State University Knowledge Enterprise; David Felix, senior manager of Regulatory Affairs, SRP; Bipin Jayaraj, chief digital and information officer, Benchmark; Bob Krakauer, chief financial officer, Verrus; and Tom Sullivan, chief operating officer, Air2O, are the newest members of the Arizona … [More]
Inaugural Arizona Manufacturing Showcase Sets a High Bar
When the Arizona Technology Council’s Arizona Manufacturing Catalyst Committee was looking for a way to bring the state’s manufacturers together, little did they realize the results would be more than memorable. “The committee was formed with the express purpose of creating a center of mass for the diverse manufacturing ecosystem to come together, define common goals and … [More]
City of Phoenix
“On the consumer side, people are gravitating toward places that feel authentic, welcoming, walkable, safe and community oriented. Downtown Phoenix delivers on all of that,” says Devney Majerle, president and CEO of Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DTPHX), speaking of the interest behind the growth of downtown Phoenix. “The level of creativity in the environment is increasing every … [More]
Town of Gilbert
The Town of Gilbert eschews the generic term “downtown” for a designation that not only identifies the area but encapsulates its personality: The Heritage District. “We’re seeing strong interest in the Heritage District because both residents and businesses are seeking places that encourage people to stay longer and do more,” says Jennifer Graves, MPA, CEcD, MEDP, the Town’s … [More]
City of Tempe
“A thriving downtown isn’t an accident — it’s mix, management and momentum. Tempe is writing that playbook in real time, blending strategic urban planning, intentional placemaking and collective community effort to ensure the next chapter is even brighter than the last,” says Lori Foster, LPM, president and CEO of Downtown Tempe Authority. Observing that downtown districts … [More]
City of Mesa
“Downtown gets cooler every day,” says Jimmy Cerracchio, executive director of Downtown Mesa Association, which was formed in 1985 by the commercial property owners of Downtown Mesa as a tool to help with the revitalization of the Downtown square mile. Noting the area is trying to grow in a smart and healthy manner by aiming to keep local businesses healthy, he says, “Most … [More]
City of Scottsdale
“Successful downtowns provide a wide range of experiences in a walkable environment,” explains Kevin Burke, AICP, senior director of economic development and tourism at the City of Scottsdale. “The strongest downtowns combine restaurants, hotels, housing, offices, galleries, retail, public spaces and events in a compact, easy-to-navigate setting that creates a sense of place … [More]
Downtown Is the New Economic Engine
Pulsing with the personality of the municipality it anchors
A few years ago, Fry’s made big headlines when it opened a grocery store in downtown Phoenix. Why the hubbub and what the significance was, RED Development’s Mike Ebert discusses in the Phoenix section of this cover story. But point is, downtowns are important economic sectors. What’s driving their growth, and how are cities that are often folded into the general “Metro … [More]
Feedback: July 2026
Q: What do you have in place (as a pipeline or programs) that help develop or identify leadership potential for employees to advance within your company? Michael H. Bill Chief Executive Officer The MJ Companies Sector: Financial At MJ, we take an intentional and structured approach to identifying and developing future leaders as part of a unified HR & Talent strategy … [More]
Surfacing the Strengths Employees Don’t See
How to recognize and maximize untapped potential in high-pressure sectors
In demanding industries like healthcare, technology, trades and professional services, employees typically spend their days solving urgent problems, stretching resources thin and adapting to circumstances beyond their control. Eventually, that pressure can drive even the most high-performing people to mistake fatigue for failure. They notice the skills they lack more than … [More]
USA Pickleball: Building Community, One Court at a Time
Expansion is national in scale and deeply local in impact
Pickleball may be America’s fastest‑growing sport, but behind the surge is a national organization intent on ensuring that growth strengthens communities as much as it fills courts. USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport headquartered in Scottsdale, has come a long way since its founding in 1984. What began as a small, volunteer‑driven effort has evolved into … [More]
Change Leadership and Agility: The Defining Competency of the Modern Leader
Confidence includes acknowledging the human cost of transition
“We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are. Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” —John C. Maxwell In an era defined by rapid technological disruption, shifting market conditions and organizational transformation, change leadership has emerged as one of the most critical competencies a leader can possess. Those who thrive are not simply managers who adapt … [More]
How ERP Modernization Can Drive Growth for Mid-Sized Businesses In 2026
And how is this impacted by the shift from traditional automation to agentic AI?
For years, enterprise resource planning systems were viewed as back-office utilities. They handled accounting, procurement and inventory while growth strategies unfolded elsewhere. In 2026, that perception no longer holds. For mid-sized businesses, ERP modernization has become a central driver of expansion, resilience and competitive speed. Legacy ERP platforms were built … [More]
Collaboration over Competition in the C-Suite
How to disarm strained leadership culture before it turns toxic
Ambition is healthy. Executive teams should care deeply, challenge assumptions and actively seek smarter, sharper outcomes. But problems can arise when leaders start measuring their own success against one another instead of against the mission they share. The first signs of this siloed mindset: delayed decisions, inconsistent communication and burnout among those who spend … [More]
More Than a Sale: Planning for Life After the Business Exit
Liquidity can create complexity overnight
After spending decades building a company, many business owners imagine the sale itself as the finish line. The transaction closes, the wire payment arrives, and years of hard work finally culminate in financial success. For many business owners, the closing table is not simply the ending but, rather, the beginning of a completely different challenge. Entrepreneurs spend years … [More]
Why Affinity Groups Are Good for Business
It’s more than just connection
In today’s modern business landscape, many companies are looking to foster a stronger sense of connection amongst their employees and networks. In fact, 93% of employees say belonging impacts retention and engagement. As this shift toward cultural connection is happening, organizations are finding the answer in affinity groups, structured communities that connect individuals … [More]
Tammy Stewart: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM
Stewarding the future as president & CEO of Arizona Science Center
My path to recently becoming CEO of one of the Valley’s leading cultural institutions has taken a few unexpected turns, but my passion for community has always guided my work and sense of purpose. My interest in science and technology began in elementary school with a visit to the Exploratorium in San Francisco and continued with a fascination about computers. But it was the … [More]
