At New Pathways for Youth, we’re awakening the full human potential to bring about individual and community transformation. In the communities we serve, youth experience poverty and four times the adversity of their peers. Beyond material insecurities, these challenges interrupt a youth’s sense of their potential, disconnecting them from what’s true: that each of us has … [More]
The Arizona Pet Project
The Arizona Pet Project keeps pets with the people who love and need them most by connecting vulnerable community members and families in crisis with services and resources to prevent the unnecessary surrender of their beloved companions. The Valley’s only organization solely focused on bridging the gap between human services and animal welfare, The Arizona Pet Project … [More]
Banking: The Pillar of Community
“Banks are the single most important component of Arizona’s economy. Not only do they lend to Arizonans, but they employ nearly 50,000 Arizonans, reinvesting in their communities and providing financial and social stability in their markets. Bankers educate young adults on the importance of financial responsibility. Bankers donate significant time and money to charities. Banks … [More]
Mike Thorell
After graduating from the University of Arizona with degrees in finance and real estate, Mike Thorell began his career in banking in 1989 as a special assets officer at a small savings and loan in Scottsdale, Arizona. He never really dreamed of being a banker, but he needed a job after graduation! And to make things more challenging, he started his banking career in the middle … [More]
Trish Stark
First Western Trust believes every client is unique. Since 2002, we’ve used a team approach to build a customized plan to clients’ banking, wealth management, lending and investment management goals. Through a branded network of private boutique offices, we deliver the sophistication of a large financial institution along with the personalization of a private bank to best serve … [More]
Jeff Friesen
Jeff Friesen is the Southwest Region president for Enterprise Bank & Trust. In this expanded role, Friesen is responsible for Arizona; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Enterprise’s growing presence in Las Vegas. He is responsible for overseeing current clients’ business and personal banking needs and generating new commercial loan relationships. Friesen is also responsible for … [More]
Amber Welch
Metro Phoenix Bank (MPB) is celebrating its 14th anniversary serving the Phoenix business community and has, along the way, achieved several notable awards. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, based on 2020 data, Metro Phoenix Bank ranked in the top 1% of community banks and thrifts under $3 billion in assets (ranking 30th among 4,287 banks nationwide). Based on Q1 … [More]
Ken Bauer
Ken Bauer is OneAZ Credit Union’s executive vice president and chief lending officer. Bauer is a veteran in the banking industry, with more than 20 years of experience working with banking institutions of all sizes. For the past six years, his depth of knowledge has been focused on the credit union movement. Two years ago, that shift toward credit unions brought him to Arizona … [More]
Todd Gerber
While big and regional banks are centralizing services for mid-sized commercial customers, WaFd Bank is going against the trend and providing more localized services and bankers to commercial customers. Using a relationship-based business model, WaFd Bank has found a solution that is built for business and produces the best results for customers across a range of … [More]
Prep for Open Enrollment
For many, open enrollment is a dreaded time of year. With more than 20 years of open enrollment seasons under my belt, I have experienced my fair share of employers calling me in crisis because they just received their insurance renewals and do not have a good plan of action. The problem with this approach is that it leaves little time to properly plan for success. This year … [More]
Message from Sandra Watson President & CEO
In 2011, Arizona faced a true “crossroads” moment. Our economy slumped under the weight of the great recession. State revenue had plummeted. Families and businesses were suffering. What came next was unprecedented in our state’s history. Hundreds of stakeholders from the private sector, academia, elected office and more came together to develop a new vision for … [More]
With Gratitude
From its inception, the Arizona Commerce Authority has been guided by some of the best minds in private industry, the legislature and our state universities. This unique collaboration has been one of the chief strengths of the ACA, and the work of the last 10 years would not be possible without the time, leadership and dedication of all the individuals who have served on our … [More]
It Takes a Team
Ribbon cutting for the opening of Benchmark Arizona is recognized for our streamlined approach to economic development, with state, regional and local partners all working closely together to ensure an excellent, seamless experience for companies doing business here. Each organization brings key resources to the table to highlight a region’s strengths and assets. The ACA is … [More]
Growth Reimagined
Resilience in Arizona Arizonans are no strangers to hard times, and few times tested the state and its leaders like the Great Recession. In the years leading up to the 2008 financial collapse, Arizona’s economy blossomed, at least on the surface. A flood of new home and construction projects boosted job and revenue numbers to new heights. But these peaks would prove … [More]
A Transformative Decade
Period of Growth The passage of the Arizona Competitiveness Package in 2011 represented a groundbreaking shift in how Arizona pursues economic development and was the culmination of countless hours of collaboration among the legislature, Governor’s office and private sector. Of course, it was also just the beginning. “The work of creating a new Arizona Commerce … [More]
Welcome to Arizona, Where the Future Is Now
Ask any visitor to the state in 2011 what drives Arizona’s economy and you’d likely hear about retirees, real estate and red rocks. Today, Arizona is making a name for itself for entirely different reasons. Recently, national publications have labeled the state “U.S. Semiconductor Central,” “a modern-day salon of (electric vehicle) innovators,” and “the place where … [More]
Employers, What’s Your Vaccination Strategy?
At long last, the COVID-19 vaccines are here. While employers everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief, they are also wondering how to best handle the sticky subject (pun intended) of getting their employees vaccinated and back to work ASAP. The good news is, many employees appear to want the vaccine. Recent poll numbers indicate that 71% of those surveyed are willing to … [More]
EEOC Provides COVID-19 Technical Assistance Publication
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission addresses questions arising under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic in a technical assistance publication it published in December. The publication, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” includes a new section providing … [More]
