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]
R. Allan Allford, Delta Dental of Arizona
Workplace health is a complicated issue, and employers face a multitude of responsibilities. One aspect, of course, is the healthcare mandate expressly imposed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In addition to physical well-being is the more subjective psychological well-being — much of which derives from the workplace environment created by company culture. And … [More]
Steven G. Seleznow, Arizona Community Foundation
Arizona is home to a wide range of highly effective and even nationally recognized charitable organizations, giving businesses a variety of ways to support the community through philanthropic investments and activities. Successful companies — whether family-owned businesses or large corporations — recognize the value of aligning their charitable giving with strategic business … [More]
Robert J. Blaney, U.S. Small Business Administration, Arizona District
Business in Arizona is in growth mode, from startups creating their space in the marketplace to established companies expanding their operations. It is also interesting to see new methodologies develop for raising capital to either start or grow a business. Crowdfunding was not part of the business lexicon a few years ago. The world of business, especially small business, … [More]
Ken McMahon, CenturyLink
Arizona’s strength in technology is broad. Leading and emerging companies in a wide range of technology sectors have operations in our metropolitan centers and are helping Arizona claim a reputation as a second-to-none business destination. Arizona has a wealth of assets that we can leverage to build an ever-stronger and more diversified economy. Our enterprising and active … [More]
Bryon Carney, DTZ
Commercial real estate affords insight into what is driving the economy, through industry accounting of the strength of its various sectors — office, industrial, retail and multifamily. All sectors of the Valley’s commercial real estate market are seeing significant new development, with more than 7.5 million square feet of office, industrial and retail space and more than … [More]
Peter S. Fine, Banner Health
Over the past couple of years, business owners have been working to determine how best to comply with federal healthcare coverage requirements and provide competitive healthcare benefits to attract and retain the work force their business needs. In the ongoing and congruent effort to also control healthcare costs and improve the bottom line, businesses continue to seek … [More]
MaryAnn Guerra, BioAccel
Arizona has been recognized by Fast Company as the top state for entrepreneurial activity. And small business is a significant economic driver for our state, as it is for the country as a whole, powered in large part by technology. Technology development is moving at great speed, emanating from many diverse sources and a variety of fields of study. The problem is not in … [More]
Beau Lane, LaneTerralever
How the world views you, how people react to your product or service — this is the realm of marketing that is fueled by the interactions marketing creates. As your consumer-facing voice, marketing increasingly drives consumers’ engagement with you, creating both challenges and exciting opportunities for your brand. Marketers are now accountable for much more than a … [More]
Glenn Hamer, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Regulation is a framework for business. It can be a strong support by which businesses can grow and thrive, but conversely can be a tight mesh of barriers that obstruct efforts by businesses to develop. Arizona is widely viewed as a state whose regulatory environment is conducive to business. Former Gov. Jan Brewer made regulatory reform a hallmark of her administration. One … [More]
Senator Jeff Flake, United States Senator – Arizona
Immigration is a hot-button topic throughout our country, and policies impact many aspects of our lives. Whatever problems our country faces, we continue to be seen as the “land of opportunity,” attracting people for educational, business, political and personal reasons. The topic is especially compelling here because Arizona is a border state. Our focus in this December … [More]
Amy Hillman, W. P. Carey School of Business
Having your own business has long been a part of the American dream, even more so now given the recent employment market. But starting a business and nurturing it to success requires a multitude of skills. To succeed, you’ll benefit from knowing the basics of business — but even business degrees won’t be enough if you don’t have a unique strategy that creates value. You’ll … [More]
Ron Butler, Ernst & Young LLP
Business giants had to grow into their footprint. Whatever idea or inspiration was the foundation for the business’s inception, successful growth required the same thing: effective management of the business’s assets. Capital — its acquisition and disbursement — is arguably the most significant element of a business’s operations. Ron Butler is the managing partner of the … [More]
Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority
Sandra Watson brings more than 20 years of economic development leadership experience to Arizona. She and her teams have attracted hundreds of companies to Arizona that have invested billions of dollars in capital and created more than 75,000 quality jobs for the state. Strengthening the economy through high-value job creation is a primary focus of our state’s economic … [More]
Rudy Parga Jr., Ryley Carlock & Applewhite
Rudy Parga is Managing Shareholder of the law firm Ryley Carlock & Applewhite. He has a broad commercial and employment litigation practice, and previously led the firm’s Litigation group. Parga is named in multiple editions of Best Lawyers® and Southwest Super Lawyers®, and has garnered recognition locally as well. He is also frequently acknowledged for his community … [More]
Rick Murray, Arizona Small Business Association
Small business is big in Arizona. It is both an economic force and an important employment producer, and comprises 97 percent of all businesses in the state. Contributing to this is the level of entrepreneurship here. In recent years, Arizona has been ranked by such respected sources as the Kauffman Foundation and Fast Company as the No. 1 state for entrepreneurial activity. … [More]
John Solheim, Karsten Manufacturing Corp./PING, Inc.
Manufacturing in the Valley runs the gamut from large fabrication facilities to small “mom and pop” shops like we once were when we first began making putters in my dad’s garage. Manufacturing is an economic engine that supports other industries as diverse as hospitality, construction and healthcare. For some, the word “manufacturing” may conjure up images of conveyor belts, … [More]
Jane L. Morris, A.A.E., Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority
Phoenix is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country, and it is coming back strong after taking a bad hit in the wake of the housing collapse five years ago. The Valley is diversifying its economy and creating multiple centers as economic engines. At Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, we’re working strategically to keep this “economic engine” running strong … [More]
