Question: It has always been clear that jobs fix the economy. What strategies have you employed company-wide that have resulted in job creation? David Racich Founder and Chief Executive Officer Brokers Alliance Sectors: Financial Services and Technology In 2015 I made a decision for our family of companies to bring all employees home here, to Arizona. Several of our … [More]
Burton Family Flash-Funds Hundreds of High School Club Requests
In a single day of flash funding, the Burton Family Foundation fulfilled all of the extra-curricular activity requests of 26 area high schools, meeting the needs of more than 100 different clubs. Founder Christy Burton did it with just a few mouse clicks, thanks to Phoenix-based nonprofit Support My Club. The organization provides an online crowd-funding platform designed to … [More]
Wilkes University Ranked 25th in the Nation for Economic Value by ‘The Economist’
Wilkes University is ranked 25th in the nation for economic value by the international newspaper The Economist – a ranking higher than any other Arizona college. The ranking was announced in the publication’s first-ever college rankings. The ranking determines a college’s economic value by comparing what a school’s undergraduate alumni earn and how much they might have … [More]
Matthew Feeney, Snell & Wilmer
Arizona is recognized as a key state for entrepreneurship and business startups, but our economic vitality also needs those small businesses to scale and grow. There are resources available to the business community to assist companies in reaching that higher level. But businesses can look inward to leverage their resources and invest in themselves to grow business, opportunity … [More]
Criminals Have a Plan to Steal Your Money. What’s Your Plan to Keep It?
Cyber criminals have become more sophisticated than ever. Thwarting cyber thieves begins with awareness and education — for business owners and everyone in their organization. Common Scams and Ways to Defeat Them “Our bank account was compromised … please wire your payments here, instead.” A trusted vendor sends an email with new wire instructions, claiming that their bank … [More]
Jeffrey Martin: Creating an Industry for Natural, Renewable Rubber
Fifteen years ago, Jeffrey Martin co-founded the Yulex Corporation with Dan Swiger after learning about a technology licensed from the United States Department of Agriculture to extract natural rubber latex from the guayule plant. Yulex’s mission is “to protect and improve the planet and its people by providing pure and improved plant-based products, which promote the … [More]
Niche Concept and Sports Name Drive Business Launch
With the help of the National Football League as an economic development resource, Arizona Cardinals’ long snapper Mike Leach and his wife, Julie, recently entered the Greater Phoenix area’s entrepreneurial mix with Potty Pals, a multi-faceted system to help parents potty train their toddlers. The Leaches initially came up with the concept for Potty Pals in 2011 while they … [More]
FnB: Uniquely Arizona, Nationally Known
The creation of two truly passionate industry professionals, Chef Charleen Badman and Front of House Manager Pavle Milic, continues to impress and reinvent with their Old Town Scottsdale eatery, FnB. This well-known hot spot is a culmination of local growers, inventive and flavorful cuisine and beverages that inspire. FnB has long been an evening must for dinner, but for … [More]
Gone Fishing
At some of our local restaurants, fish is not only on the menu, it’s part of the décor. Bluewater Grill Extensive seafood menu includes an oyster bar and a sushi bar. And the seafood theme is carried out throughout the restaurant to create an atmosphere that celebrates seafaring traditions. 1720 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix (602) 277-3474 Hillstone From sushi to steak, the … [More]
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG Coupe: All Body and Soul
Designed to impress with speed and a sleek new design, the GLE Coupe is a breakthrough for Mercedes. This vehicle has a confident stance and is an SUV for the future. The 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 engine empowers this new Mercedes with 362 horsepower and an impressive 384 pound-feet of torque. Its 9-speed automatic transmission coupled with all-wheel drive performance allows for … [More]
Office Perks
The need for fuel to start the day at the office usually involves a stop at a nearby coffee spot. Eliminate that and perk up the office (and staff) with one of these true and tested “do it yourself” espresso/cappuccino machines. Yes, they are expensive, but they’ll keep the office caffeinated and ready to go. Bunn iMIX-5 Black This hot powdered-drink machine features a large, … [More]
Feedback: November 2015
Question: What strategy have you followed in using your business’s resources or capital to grow, or what advice do you have for companies with capital to do so? Dennis Cornelius Managing Partner CKS Advisors, LLC Sector: Finance Business owners have many new choices as they consider the best alternative to finance growth. With restrictive changes in bank over-regulation, … [More]
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Announces 3 Phoenix Businesswomen as 2015 Athena Award Recipients
The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce announced the 2015 ATHENA Public Sector, Private Sector and Young Professional Award recipients at its 28th Annual ATHENA Awards Luncheon Oct. 29 at the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Melissa Sanderson, vice president of international affairs for Freeport-McMoRan Inc., was awarded the 2015 ATHENA Businesswoman of the Year … [More]
Q3 2015 Market and Economic Update
Heading into the fourth quarter, Arizona is showing continued, though measured, positive momentum. According to Arizona’s Economy, a publication of the Economic and Business Research Center (EBRC) at the University of Arizona, as of August, total nonfarm employment in Arizona was up 2.03 percent and hourly wages had improved 2.72 percent year over year. In addition, the … [More]
Renewal by Andersen Benefits House of Refuge
Renewal by Andersen is doing its part to support the families who have been victims of domestic violence, in recognition of National Make A Difference Day and in conjunction with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One in four women have been victimized at some point in their lifetime, and, according to the 2009 Women’s Health Data Book Report, more than 2.5 million … [More]
Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Department Presents Sempra U.S. Gas & Power’s Mesquite Solar 1 Plant with ‘STAR’ Designation
Marking a first for an Arizona solar plant, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) Consultation Department presented the Sempra U.S. Gas & Power’s Mesquite Solar 1 plant a “STAR Site” through the Voluntary Protection Program “VPP” on Oct. 16, 2015. This was the first time a solar plant in Arizona has been recognized as a VPP “STAR Site” by ADOSH. … [More]
2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open and The Thunderbirds Raise Record-Breaking $9,060,731 for Local Charities
Waste Management Phoenix Open hosts, The Thunderbirds, will hand out $9,060,731 to local charities through proceeds raised from the 2015 tournament, Thunderbirds Big Chief Danny Calihan announced today at the Foundation for Blind Children. This is the highest single-year charitable donation in tournament history, helping to reach a historic milestone of more than $100 million … [More]
Workplace Healthy: Making ‘Employee Experience’ Impact Your Business
Employees do their best for employers who do their best for their workforce. An environment that fosters a healthy attitude results in stronger employee engagement and, ultimately, productivity. And this healthy work environment encompasses employee benefits, company culture and physical space in addition to wellness programs. For those who wonder what motivates and entices … [More]
