Question: Describe one or two of your most effective policies or strategies to help startups grow in your city. Bill Jabjiniak Economic Development Director City of Mesa Sector: Government LAUNCHPOINT, Mesa Technology Accelerator is a City of Mesa program created to accelerate the growth of young technology companies, thereby creating quality jobs and economic growth in … [More]
Feedback: November 2016
Question: What distinguishes your credit union from other types of lending institutions? David E. Doss President and Chief Executive Officer OneAZ Credit Union Sector: Financial Services As a local financial cooperative, OneAZ Credit Union exists to serve members who live and work in Arizona. We are owned and controlled by our members, meaning the money they put into the … [More]
Feedback: October 2016
Question: Stress has a tremendous impact on a person’s well-being. How do you address workplace stress among your employees? Debora Gallo-Capaldi Owner Pucci Salon Sector: Beauty Salon During particularly stressful times — such as when a stylist is running behind schedule or two clients are waiting — that’s when I’m hands-on. I’m at our salon every day to help … [More]
Feedback: September 2016
Question: As a leader of a nonprofit working with many local business leaders as members of its board of directors, what leadership skills and values do you find most valuable? Debbie Esparza Senior Associate Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Sector: Nonprofit Valley Leadership Institute class 35 There are several leadership skills and values that are present in … [More]
Feedback: August 2016
Question: “To go” has been a growing part of the restaurant industry. The delivery side of that has largely been focused on pizza, but there seems to be increasing interest in expanding this aspect of the food service industry. What is your take on this trend, and how are you responding to it? Sarah Groen General Manager Uber Sector: Transportation With the advent of … [More]
Feedback: July 2016
Question: Describe one or two of your most effective policies or strategies to help small business grow in your city. W.J. “Jim” Lane Mayor City of Scottsdale Sector: Government The City of Scottsdale was named one of the Top 10 locations to launch a startup for a reason, and closely helps local businesses and entrepreneurs grow and develop through resources and … [More]
Feedback: June 2016
Question: Economic development is a community-wide enterprise. This issue’s cover story deals with the importance of factors beyond just attracting new business. How does your organization contribute to the bigger picture of economic development for our region? Julie Brassell Executive Director Business United for Scottsdale Schools Sector: Nonprofit We can help our … [More]
Feedback: May 2016
Question: What do you feel are the main drivers for projects like yours? How is your project indicative of trends in the current commercial real estate market? Chris Chamberlain Real Estate Developer North American Development Group Sector: Real Estate With the growing demand in the Valley for truly great live/work spaces in our urban areas, North American Development … [More]
Feedback: April 2016
Question: What is the most notable need your employees have expressed regarding healthcare and wellness since the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? Chad Falkenberg Chairman and CEO Soilworks Sector: Manufacturing At Soilworks, offering a choice in healthcare plans is very important to our employees. They appreciate having three quality … [More]
Feedback: March 2016
Question: What has your company’s philanthropic giving or activities done for the morale of your workforce? Bo Calbert President McCarthy Building Companies Southwest Division Sector: Construction Heart Hats is the volunteer-based community outreach arm of McCarthy Building Companies’ Southwest Division, based in Phoenix. Heart Hats is organized by McCarthy employees and … [More]
Feedback: February 2016
Question: It is expected that a major event venue will generate benefit to local businesses as well as impacting the quality of life for residents. But what has been the single most surprising benefit to business in your community you have seen or experienced? Howard Lein Founder & Owner RE/MAX Excalibur Sector: Real Estate We feel that the huge events that come to … [More]
Feedback: January 2016
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]
