The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined 0.6 points in October to 98.2 but remained above its 52-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index fell 12 points from September to 88, the lowest reading of this year. “Optimism among small businesses declined slightly in October as owners report lower sales and reduced profits,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. … [More]
Study: Generative AI Can Guide Goals, but SMB Strategy Still Requires Human Judgement
A peer-reviewed study in the INFORMS journal Decision Analysis finds that while generative AI can help define viable objectives for organizational and policy decision-making, the overall quality of those objectives falls short unless humans intervene. In the field of decision analysis, defining objectives is a foundational step. Before you can evaluate options, allocate … [More]
Global Asian Culinary Group With Valley Roots Names New Chief Executive
P.F. Chang's announced the appointment of Jim Mazany as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mazany succeeds Brad Hill and will lead the company into its next phase of growth, innovation and global expansion. Mazany is a proven leader in scaling restaurant brands, driving operational excellence, and delivering engaging guest … [More]
Maricopa Community Colleges Launch Partnership Targeting Semiconductor Career Pipeline Development
ManpowerGroup, an innovative workforce solution provider, announced a strategic partnership with Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona, one of the nation's largest community college systems. The collaboration will accelerate workforce development in the fast-growing semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors by addressing one of the industry's most urgent challenges: … [More]
National Ice Machine Subscription Co. Taps Veteran Executive for CEO Role
Easy Ice, provider of commercial ice machine subscription and service solutions, announced the appointment of Scott Buttz as Chief Executive Officer. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and proven business leader, Buttz brings more than three decades of experience leading large service-based organizations through growth and transformation. His career reflects a deep commitment to … [More]
Financial Holding Company Names Regional President
First Western Financial, Inc. announced the appointment of Alex McDougall as Regional President for its Arizona offices. With more than 18 years of experience in private banking, wealth management, and community banking, Alex brings a proven record of leadership, deep client expertise, and a strong commitment to community engagement. Alex joins First Western Trust following … [More]
Scottsdale PR Firm Launches AI-Optimized Press Room to Boost Client Visibility
10to1 Public Relations (10to1PR), a public relations firm offering strategic communications services, has launched IVY Press Room, to transform client announcements, milestones, and thought leadership positioning into content designed to be discovered, cited, and shared by both journalists and generative AI systems. IVY Press Room is a core part of 10to1PR’s proprietary … [More]
Tempe Incubator Unveils AI-VR Console to Speed Concept-to-Production Process
Startup Central, an incubator and factory for startups in Tempe, Arizona, announces the launch of the START CONSOLE, a collaborative design platform that merges AI and VR to create the ultimate ideation experience, designed to accelerate the entire journey from idea to creation. "We are all about enabling founders from the very beginning of their creative process," said … [More]
Scottsdale Aerospace Co. Expands Global Footprint with Winnipeg Facility Investment
StandardAero, an independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services including engine maintenance, repair and overhaul and engine component repair, has broken ground on an approximately 70,000 sq. ft. expansion to one of the company's facilities in Winnipeg, MB, which provides full MRO support for the GE Aerospace CF34-3/8 and CFM International CFM56-7B … [More]
Spirit Airlines Taps Scottsdale Fin-Tech Firm to Power New Cruise Booking Platform
Arrivia, a global travel-based loyalty and rewards solution, announced a new partnership with Spirit Airlines, a leading U.S. value carrier, to power Free Spirit Cruises, a cruise booking platform designed to deliver exclusive savings and rewards to Spirit's most loyal travelers. Launched Nov. 3 2025, Free Spirit Cruises gave Free Spirit® members and credit card holders … [More]
