Question: What do you feel is the one thing the Arizona State Legislature needs to focus on in the next year or two that would dramatically improve the economic picture in Arizona? Judy Bernas Associate VP for External Relations The University of Arizona Sector: Education There are too many needs and never enough money. But what provides the biggest bang for the … [More]
Feedback: December 2015
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]
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]
Feedback: September 2015
Question: What are the key elements of company culture for your business? And how do you foster this culture? Bernie Clark Executive Vice President Charles Schwab Sector: Financial For more than 40 years, Schwab has been challenging the status quo to help investors and those who serve them transform lives and realize dreams. Every decision we make is based on seeing … [More]
Feedback: Sept. 2015
Question: What was the most impactful event — whether a donation or an activity — you have done recently? John DeWulf Partner Coppersmith Brockelman P.L.C. Sector: Law Social Venture Partners Arizona, through its partners’ collective skills, experience, connections and other resources, helps build the capacity and effectiveness of local nonprofits. Over the last few … [More]
Feedback: July 2015
Question: Business owners and executives are often given advice — solicited and unsolicited. What is the best advice ever given to you in business and how have you applied it? David J. Jacofsky, M.D. Chairman and CEO The CORE Institute Sector: Healthcare My father once told me not to focus on developing products, nor business plans, but rather on developing people. … [More]
Feedback: June 2015
Question: Arizona has been recognized as a hotbed for startups, and technology is one of the hottest sectors. There are a number of accelerator and awards competitions that recognize technology startups. What has been the result, to your company, of winning one or more of these competitions? Robert Brannen, Ph.D. President Agave Semiconductor Sector: Technology Arizona … [More]
Feedback: May 2015
Question: Commercial real estate has been on a hot streak for the past year and a half. There is talk now of the Federal Reserve raising the interest rate in June or July. What effect would this have on commercial lending? Tim Bruckner Managing Director of Commercial Banking – Arizona BMO Harris Bank Sector: Banking Banks already account for potential increases in … [More]
Feedback: April 2015
Question: What new healthcare policies or programs are you able to offer employers, to include in their employee benefits for their employees, that have been created since the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? Paul Breslau President Breslau Insurance & Benefits, Inc. Sector: Employee Benefits There is a new, exciting healthcare … [More]
Feedback: March 2015
Question: How does your co-working space fit in the ecosystem for economic development of startup businesses and what was the attraction of the Greater Phoenix area? Francisco Aguirre Founder The Office Pile Sector: Economic Development The Office Pile is the first culturally diverse co-working space in the nation. Along with its not-for-profit arm, The TOP … [More]
Feedback: February 2015
Question: Marketing today not only involves many facets of communication, it requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Considering both elements you employed and the demographic(s) you targeted, what is a successful marketing campaign you have used for your business? Carol Nalevanko President DMB Sports Clubs Sector: Health Clubs One of the most recent … [More]
Feedback: January 2015
Question: What state government act or action has impacted (for good or bad) your industry? Michelle Ahlmer Executive Director Arizona Retailers Association Sector: Retail The retail industry in Arizona is poised to receive some long-awaited relief from one of the most complicated sales tax systems in the nation. The majority of states conduct sales tax audits through … [More]
Feedback: December 2014
Question: As a business issue separate from social implications, how can immigration impact business or industry? Elizabeth S. Chatham, Esq. Partner Davis Miles McGuire Gardner, PLLC Sector: Law The employment-based immigration changes are quite significant and impact American business by further facilitating the hiring and retention of highly skilled foreign … [More]
Feedback: November 2014
Question:Business owners and executives are often given advice — solicited and unsolicited. What is the best advice ever given to you in business, and how have you applied it? Steve Lopez Founder and Co-owner Clean Air Cab Sector: Transportation I tend to gravitate toward two key exchanges I had as a young man prior to even thinking about running a business. My … [More]
Feedback: October 2014
Question: Leaders of companies often use a particular mechanism to keep tabs on the financial health of their business. What do you use to keep tabs on your company’s level of financial health? Jason Kaplan is owner and founder of The Driver Provider, among other entrepreneurial pursuits. The Driver Provider, with offices in Phoenix, Tucson and Jackson Hole, Wyo., … [More]
Feedback: September 2014
Question: Discussion of economic development for our region often focuses on attracting new business from out of state. How does that impact business in the Greater Phoenix area, and what is being worked on to develop economic opportunity for businesses here? Danielle Casey is responsible for the oversight and execution of the City of Scottsdale’s initiatives related to … [More]
Feedback: August 2014
Question: Many companies make a purposeful effort to contact different cultures to build business. What is your company doing to attract diverse cultures to your business? Brad Gabel Vice President, Native American Division Kitchell Sector: Construction We made a conscious effort years ago to take our experience to Indian Country, engaging with various Native American … [More]
Feedback: July 2014
Question: What technology have you implemented to make it easier for you to run your business, and what difference has it made? Kevin Binkley Chef/Owner Binkley’s Restaurant Sector: Restaurant Our point-of-sales system is incredibly helpful. We use it to understand our sales, what we have sold, processing credit cards, guest counts, discounts, comps, et cetera. This is … [More]
