The Town of Gilbert eschews the generic term “downtown” for a designation that not only identifies the area but encapsulates its personality: The Heritage District. “We’re seeing strong interest in the Heritage District because both residents and businesses are seeking places that encourage people to stay longer and do more,” says Jennifer Graves, MPA, CEcD, MEDP, the Town’s … [More]
City of Tempe
“A thriving downtown isn’t an accident — it’s mix, management and momentum. Tempe is writing that playbook in real time, blending strategic urban planning, intentional placemaking and collective community effort to ensure the next chapter is even brighter than the last,” says Lori Foster, LPM, president and CEO of Downtown Tempe Authority. Observing that downtown districts … [More]
City of Mesa
“Downtown gets cooler every day,” says Jimmy Cerracchio, executive director of Downtown Mesa Association, which was formed in 1985 by the commercial property owners of Downtown Mesa as a tool to help with the revitalization of the Downtown square mile. Noting the area is trying to grow in a smart and healthy manner by aiming to keep local businesses healthy, he says, “Most … [More]
City of Scottsdale
“Successful downtowns provide a wide range of experiences in a walkable environment,” explains Kevin Burke, AICP, senior director of economic development and tourism at the City of Scottsdale. “The strongest downtowns combine restaurants, hotels, housing, offices, galleries, retail, public spaces and events in a compact, easy-to-navigate setting that creates a sense of place … [More]
Downtown Is the New Economic Engine
Pulsing with the personality of the municipality it anchors
A few years ago, Fry’s made big headlines when it opened a grocery store in downtown Phoenix. Why the hubbub and what the significance was, RED Development’s Mike Ebert discusses in the Phoenix section of this cover story. But point is, downtowns are important economic sectors. What’s driving their growth, and how are cities that are often folded into the general “Metro … [More]
Surfacing the Strengths Employees Don’t See
How to recognize and maximize untapped potential in high-pressure sectors
In demanding industries like healthcare, technology, trades and professional services, employees typically spend their days solving urgent problems, stretching resources thin and adapting to circumstances beyond their control. Eventually, that pressure can drive even the most high-performing people to mistake fatigue for failure. They notice the skills they lack more than … [More]
Feedback: July 2026
Q: What do you have in place (as a pipeline or programs) that help develop or identify leadership potential for employees to advance within your company? Michael H. Bill Chief Executive Officer The MJ Companies Sector: Financial At MJ, we take an intentional and structured approach to identifying and developing future leaders as part of a unified HR & Talent strategy … [More]
USA Pickleball: Building Community, One Court at a Time
Expansion is national in scale and deeply local in impact
Pickleball may be America’s fastest‑growing sport, but behind the surge is a national organization intent on ensuring that growth strengthens communities as much as it fills courts. USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport headquartered in Scottsdale, has come a long way since its founding in 1984. What began as a small, volunteer‑driven effort has evolved into … [More]
Change Leadership and Agility: The Defining Competency of the Modern Leader
Confidence includes acknowledging the human cost of transition
“We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are. Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” —John C. Maxwell In an era defined by rapid technological disruption, shifting market conditions and organizational transformation, change leadership has emerged as one of the most critical competencies a leader can possess. Those who thrive are not simply managers who adapt … [More]
How ERP Modernization Can Drive Growth for Mid-Sized Businesses In 2026
And how is this impacted by the shift from traditional automation to agentic AI?
For years, enterprise resource planning systems were viewed as back-office utilities. They handled accounting, procurement and inventory while growth strategies unfolded elsewhere. In 2026, that perception no longer holds. For mid-sized businesses, ERP modernization has become a central driver of expansion, resilience and competitive speed. Legacy ERP platforms were built … [More]
Collaboration over Competition in the C-Suite
How to disarm strained leadership culture before it turns toxic
Ambition is healthy. Executive teams should care deeply, challenge assumptions and actively seek smarter, sharper outcomes. But problems can arise when leaders start measuring their own success against one another instead of against the mission they share. The first signs of this siloed mindset: delayed decisions, inconsistent communication and burnout among those who spend … [More]
More Than a Sale: Planning for Life After the Business Exit
Liquidity can create complexity overnight
After spending decades building a company, many business owners imagine the sale itself as the finish line. The transaction closes, the wire payment arrives, and years of hard work finally culminate in financial success. For many business owners, the closing table is not simply the ending but, rather, the beginning of a completely different challenge. Entrepreneurs spend years … [More]
Why Affinity Groups Are Good for Business
It’s more than just connection
In today’s modern business landscape, many companies are looking to foster a stronger sense of connection amongst their employees and networks. In fact, 93% of employees say belonging impacts retention and engagement. As this shift toward cultural connection is happening, organizations are finding the answer in affinity groups, structured communities that connect individuals … [More]
Tammy Stewart: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM
Stewarding the future as president & CEO of Arizona Science Center
My path to recently becoming CEO of one of the Valley’s leading cultural institutions has taken a few unexpected turns, but my passion for community has always guided my work and sense of purpose. My interest in science and technology began in elementary school with a visit to the Exploratorium in San Francisco and continued with a fascination about computers. But it was the … [More]
SBA, DOJ Intensify PPP Enforcement: Key Risks for Borrowers and Lenders
While the COVID-19 pandemic may be in the not-so-distant past, investigations into lenders and borrowers who took out loans pursuant to relief programs persist. With ongoing scrutiny from the Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Justice and the SBA Office of the Inspector General, staying informed is critical. Both borrowers and lenders should ensure ongoing … [More]
Where Elite Medicine Is Being Built Now
For decades, the playbook in elite medicine has been predictable: Innovation begins in coastal hubs, then spreads outward. A growing number of physician-led practices are reversing that flow, building advanced medical models in emerging markets and expanding into some of the most competitive healthcare environments in the country. Scottsdale-based Defyne Plastic Surgery is … [More]
Think Your Business Is Fully Protected in the Digital World?
Cyber insurance is now essential for businesses, yet many policies only partially cover emerging threats like AI-driven fraud, social engineering and vendor vulnerabilities. At the same time, insurers are narrowing how cyber risk is defined, creating sharper lines around what a policy covers and where responsibility still falls on the business. With risk now spanning … [More]
Integrated Design Is a Risk Management Tool for Development
Development has faced increasing challenges in recent years, with the stress of tariffs, labor shortages and supply chain delays manifesting through projects increasingly being delivered over budget and behind schedule. As the landscape continues to shift and priorities change, an unexpected tool can help hospitality developers stay on track while maintaining the agility needed … [More]
