Benito Almanza’s office may be far from the farm fields he grew up on, but the lessons he learned as a child of farm laborers and the obstacles he overcame help guide him every day as the Arizona State President for Bank of America, in which position he coordinates all lines of business for the bank, including directing the work of 12,000 employees in Arizona. He also oversees … [More]
Bytes: October 2012
iTunes Revisited Apple rolls out the new version of iTunes this month. The Mac- and PC-friendly edition will be a completely redesigned player, a “newly remodeled” store, and will include more iCloud features to make it a more simple-to-use version that promises not to throw the loyal Apple-ist off his or her game. Be in the Know: World Economic Survey Released The … [More]
Mining Project a 25-year Boon to Jobs and Business
The $40 to $50 million that Florence Copper plans to invest over the next 18 to 24 months on mineral extraction in Central Arizona will bring to nearly $100 million its expenditure on Phase I of the Florence Copper project. Phase II, planned to be $250 million, will begin the latter part of next year and will more than double Phase I’s investment. Noting this investment … [More]
In the Raw: Stingray Sushi
Set in an ultra-contemporary surrounding, Stingray Sushi is a unique take on the typical sushi restaurant in that it is taking its concept to a new level, fusing creative cuisine with Japanese-American classics. Holding true to its mission of tempting the senses, Stingray Sushi is where taste, sound and the visual come alive. For taste, Stingray can be that midday getaway … [More]
South of the Border
Home to some of the best Mexican food “north” of the border, the Valley is a hot spot for new Mexican cuisine. Here are a few: America’s Taco Shop — Phoenix & Tempe There is one place in the Valley to get Carne Asada that is tender and crispy in all of the right ways. That’s America’s Tacos. A quaint “taco shop” with three locations to serve. Unique, Baja flare and … [More]
Write-Off: Business Gadgets
Here are some great, new, innovative gadgets that can be written off. iTwin Multi iTwin allows users to access files remotely and collaborate with other people without trusting data to cloud services like Dropbox. This splittable USB device lets a computer access another system’s files once the two halves are plugged into two Web-connected machines. iTwin uses … [More]
Fuel Efficient: 2013 Lexus GS 450h
Technology meets performance in this sports sedan by Lexus. The “gold standard” in the new automobile industry is combining speed and performance with fuel efficiency and eco-performance. Lexus is engineering such a vehicle with the GS 450h hybrid sports sedan. The Atkinson Cycle 60° V6, aluminum block and heads, direct and port fuel injection engine boasts an acceleration … [More]
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale: Fostering Enrichment and Character-building
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, thanks to a partnership with AXA Advisors, launches a new event that it hopes will bolster its revenue by $60,000 toward its array of programs and services for kids ages 6 to 18. The organization’s first-ever Weekend Jetaway takes off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, for a three-and-a-half-hour flight of fancy with fine dining, … [More]
The Wellness Community: Quality-of-life Programs for Families Battling Cancer
A fall evening under the stars for a backyard dinner party at an historic 1906 home — The Wellness Community’s annual Porch Party fundraiser (held this year on Oct. 20) welcomes guests to “feel like you’re in your own home, in the backyard, having dinner with your friends,” says Executive Director Vikki Scarafiotti. The financial goal for the event is to raise $300,000, … [More]
Feedback: October 2012
Question: Financial institutions are facing issues that range from implementing increased oversight measures to a wariness by businesses of incurring debt to a lack of trust among the general public. Yet a functioning commerce relies on the flow of capital. What do you see as the greatest challenge to business working with traditional funding institutions? Jack … [More]
Eaton Drives Success with Mobility Options for the Disabled
With the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 newly passed, a business manufacturing ADA-compliant vehicles seemed like a good investment, explains Doug Eaton, president of Phoenix-based Vantage Mobility International, which manufactures and distributes wheelchair-accessible full-size and minivan conversions. He and his brother David purchased five-year-old VMI in 1992, … [More]
J. Doug Pruitt, Sundt Companies
After a tumultuous past couple of years, commercial construction is beginning to make a comeback. So let’s look at what drives the construction market locally here in Arizona. The harsh reality we have had to deal with is that local construction starts collapsed from just over $20 billion back in 2006 to averaging less than $10 billion each of the last four years, including … [More]
Bytes: September 2012
Get a Free Website Google, SCORE, Arizona Small Business Development Centers Network and Intuit are behind the effort to get Arizona’s small businesses online. Free the first year, get a simple website to draw business. According to their website, 56 percent of small businesses in Arizona do not have a website yet 97 percent of Internet users look online for local products … [More]
Education Means Business at Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University’s recently completed campus expansion represents a new business model for educational institutions that its president Brian Mueller believes will help solve two challenges: “We’ve got to figure out a way to provide higher education for far less money than we’re asking students to pay without so much burden on the taxpayer.” Key was the university’s … [More]
Minority Business Development Agency Breaks Records and Arizona Benefits
In fiscal year 2011, Minority Business Development Center helped Arizona minority-owned businesses obtain 42 contracts totaling $134,721,609 and $171,426,324 in capital through 12 financial transactions. For clients assisted by the agency with gross annual revenues of $500,000 or more, MBDA Business Centers completed 41 transactions totaling $305,566,289. For clients with … [More]
Blue Hound: Lunch with a Bite
Heavy meals seem to be OK for lunch in Manhattan or in Chicago, but lunch in the Valley is more palatable when it is light, refreshing and flavorful. That is the concept behind this contempo-American bistro, Blue Hound, located at the new Palomar Hotel in CityScape. Overwhelmingly urban and meant to be comfortable and “casually polished,” this recently opened eatery boasts … [More]
Meeting Mangia
“Mangia” is Italian for “eats.” Here is a list of some of the Valley’s best Italian restaurants for lunch, where it is not all about pasta and heavy meals. Anzio Landing — Mesa This unique and quaint alternative to the usual big-box Italian has character and dishes that will entice a return visit. Salads, light fare and many of the Roman-inspired dishes make up this vast … [More]
Today’s Practical SUV: Ford Explorer Limited
The grandfather of the SUV movement over the last 20 years, the Ford Explorer has evolved. In a market where gas mileage, eco-friendly options and technology are the attraction, the 2013 Ford Explorer Limited edition is a top option, exuding practicality, style, quality and comfort. Redesigned in 2012, the Explorer has some exciting new features by Ford that will make this … [More]
