Economic Development in Arizona

Lori Collins, City of Phoenix

Lori Collins is Deputy Economic Development Director for the City of Phoenix and serves on the executive board of directors for the Arizona Association for Economic Development. Since joining the City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department in 2015, Lori has focused on developing and implementing strategies to encourage investment and drive job growth. As Deputy Director, she oversees the division responsible for business attraction and works daily with companies seeking to relocate or expand in Phoenix. This division advises developers, corporate real estate executives, entrepreneurs and business owners through the site selection, due diligence and occupancy process.

An Arizona native, Lori has worked in Economic Development since 2001 and gained panoramic experience in the Greater Phoenix area by serving in various roles with organizations including the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and as Marketing Director for the Phoenix and Las Vegas office of a major commercial real estate firm. Lori is a National League of Cities Equitable Economic Development Fellow and serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Arizona Association for Economic Development.

Learn more about Phoenix Economic Development. Connect with Lori Collins on LinkedIn.

Denyse Airheart, City of Maricopa

Denyse Airheart is the Economic Development Director for the City of Maricopa. She joined the City of Maricopa in August 2013. Airheart received her bachelor’s degree from California State University Fullerton and holds a Master’s in Business Administration. Airheart has more than 10 years of experience in business development talent acquisition. Her primary responsibilities are to move the community forward to achieve growth in retail, commercial and industrial base economies.

She is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Arizona Association of Economic Development and Vice Chair for the Professional Education Committee, and the Urban Land Institute. She has served as an Ex-Officio Board Member of the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce since 2015 and as the Greater Phoenix Economic Council’s Economic Development Directors Team since 2015.

Learn more about Maricopa Economic Development. Connect with Denyse Airheart on LinkedIn.

Brad Vynalek, Quarles & Brady

Brad Vynalek is a partner in the Phoenix office of Quarles & Brady, chair of the Innovation Committee, and a member the firm’s Executive Committee. He also serves on the board of directors for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the on the regional board for Teach For America-Phoenix. He volunteers for such startup engagements as the Venture Ready program. Vynalek is also a recent past-chair of Make-a-Wish America.

He recently announced the creation of a Time Venture Fund (TVF) to provide startups with the crucial legal advice needed at the formation stage while also providing a social benefit to the startup and entrepreneurship communities. The goal of the program is to attract top startups and help entrepreneurs grow their businesses through bespoke and innovative engagements at the most crucial time for the startups.

Connect with Brad Vynalek on LinkedIn.

The State of the Franchise Industry in Arizona

Jeffrey H. Wolf, Quarles & Brady

Jeffrey H. Wolf, a partner at Quarles & Brady in Phoenix, is a commercial litigator with nearly 30 years of experience representing clients in a variety of business sectors. His practice focuses on franchise, employment, health care, contract, partnership, real estate, and intellectual property matters. He also serves as outside general counsel to several Phoenix-based behavioral health care companies.

As a member of the firm’s national Franchise & Distribution team, Jeffrey devotes a significant part of his practice to representing franchisors in litigation involving issues of unpaid or under reported royalties, fraud, liquidated damages, system standards, earnings claims, encroachment, advertising funds, trademark and trade dress infringement, and vicarious liability. He also has extensive experience handling cases requiring the enforcement of restrictive covenants and other post-termination rights and the defense of franchise and consumer class actions and other system-threatening cases.

Jeffrey has handled numerous arbitrations, bench trials and jury trials in state and federal courts throughout the United States. He is a highly effective, detail- oriented and responsive attorney committed to helping clients resolve their disputes as cost efficiently as possible, whether through early settlement, mediation or, if necessary, trial.

Connect with Jeffrey Wolf on LinkedIn and follow Quarles & Brady on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Marisa Felker, Washington Federal

Marisa Felker is the Franchise Finance Manager at Washington Federal. In mid-2028, Washington Federal launched a formal Franchise Finance Division focused on helping established restaurant franchisees secure funding for their businesses. The division is being led by industry veteran Felker, who will work from the Arizona Regional Headquarters office in Scottsdale and oversee the program across Washington Federal’s eight-state footprint.

Over her 25-year career, Marisa has served as a leader in franchise funding and also brings expertise in the areas of private banking and portfolio management. She has worked in leadership roles with both CitiCapital and GE Capital in franchise finance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Connect with Marisa Felker on LinkedIn and follow Washington Federal on Facebook and Twitter.

Chad Barnett, Foods 2000

Chad Barnett is the President of Foods 2000, a SUBWAY franchise company. With nearly 44,000 locations in 110 countries, SUBWAY is the world’s largest restaurant chain in the number of locations, and the second largest restaurant chain in terms of sales. With over 40 restaurants and 450 employees, Foods 2000 is one of the larger multi-unit owners in Arizona. Foods 2000 has been in business since 1990 and Chad has been leading the company since 2000. He is responsible for establishing, implementing, and enhancing the mission, goals, and objectives of the company while building and developing a team of administrative and supervisory leaders that effectively execute in these areas and lead the team of 400+ employees.

Chad is a board member of the SUBWAY Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust, which oversees the marketing efforts for SUBWAY franchisees throughout the greater-Phoenix and northern Arizona markets, including all advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and other activities designed to increase business at individual franchise locations and brand awareness in the marketplace. He is also a board member of SUBWAY Kids and Sports of Arizona, providing sports equipment, uniforms, registration fees, and access to major sporting events for kids who might not otherwise be able to participate.

Connect with Chad Barnett on LinkedIn.

Solar Energy and Green Building in Arizona

Joe Cunningham, Sunny Energy

Joe Cunningham is a co-founder and Director of Operations at Sunny Energy, a residential solar company dedicated to helping homeowners save money on their electric bills. Sunny Energy focuses on delivering superior performance by using the best design, installation, equipment, and financing options to ensure the best combination of value and performance. They have offices in Tempe, Arizona and Davis, California.

Joe is also a co-founder of the Distributed Energy Resources Association (DERA), a non-profit trade organization dedicated to the development of distributed energy resources, including solar, battery storage, active demand management, distributed grid services and smart grid solutions for a reliable and sustainable energy supply.

Connect with Joe Cunningham on LinkedIn, and follow Sunny Energy on Facebook and Twitter.

Corey Garrison, SouthFace Solar & Electric

Corey L. Garrison is the founder and CEO of SouthFace Solar & Electric, an Arizona born and based company headquartered in north Phoenix. They focus on the design and installation of high performance, desert durable, well-crafted solar electric systems for residential and commercial applications. He is also a co-founder of the Distributed Energy Resources Association (DERA).

Connect with Corey Garrison on LinkedIn, and follow SouthFace Solar & Electric on Facebook and Twitter.

Scott Hufford, Chasse Building Team

Scott Hufford is Director of Operations for Chasse Building Team, an award-winning general contractor that oversees more than $200 million in construction projects annually, all of which are in Arizona. Their focuses are education, nonprofits, retail, multi-family housing and industrial spaces. Within the industry, they are leaders in innovation when it comes to Green and other environmentally friendly solutions, as well as dedicated advocates of green building across Arizona. Committed to giving back to the local community, Chasse Building Team has donated more than $3 million to 100-plus Arizona-focused charitable causes to date, especially those helping children.

Connect with Scott Hufford on LinkedIn, and follow Chasse Building Team on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Dala Al-Fuwaires

Dala Al-Fuwaires is Principal at FJI, a hospitality interior design firm with a sweet spot for bar and restaurant interiors. Dala is a dreamer, designer, and doer. With over a decade of experience in the interior design field, Dala has worked on hospitality, retail, and residential design projects ranging in size from boutique to national rollouts. Dala graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Arizona State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Purdue University. Outside of design, Dala can be found exploring the world, hosting dinner parties for friends and family, remodeling her home, and photographing all of the above.

Connect with Dala Al-Fuwaires on LinkedIn and Instagram, and follow FJI on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

The Melrose District and Melrose Street Fair

Teeming with culture and bursting with flavors, the Melrose District – along 7th Avenue approximately from Camelback to Indian School Road in Phoenix – is home to some of Arizona’s top art galleries, restaurants, bars, clubs and independent small businesses. It’s a can’t-miss region of the Valley. It’s also can’t-miss – quite literally – thanks to the massive, iconic “Melrose Arch” that hangs across the road on 7th Avenue just north of Indian School Road. Today’s bustling Melrose District is actually a result of a group of merchants in the area who joined together more than 20 years ago: the Seventh Avenue Merchants Association (SAMA). Two members of the board are here today to talk about the District, their businesses and their upcoming signature (and free) event: The 17th Annual Melrose Street Fair on March 2, 2019.

Gregg Edelman, Exposed Studio & Gallery

Gregg Edelman is the owner of Exposed Studio & Gallery. Learn more at www.exposedgallery.com.

Connect with Gregg Edelman on LinkedIn.

Brad Moore, Short Leash Hotdogs + Rollover Donuts

Brad Moore is the owner of Short Leash Hotdogs + Rollover Donuts. Learn more at shortleashhotdogs.com.

Connect with Brad Moore on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Natalia Ronceria Ceballos

Natalia Ronceria Ceballos is Founder/CEO of La NRC, a consulting practice that focuses in providing bilingual services to for-profit companies & non-profit organizations. In addition, Natalia recently signed on as Executive Director of The Solutions Hub of the Valley of the Sun United Way, to build community based solutions to combat poverty in Maricopa County.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Natalia is incredibly grateful to have lived and worked throughout the U.S. and internationally. Coming from a diverse family of artists and entrepreneurs, she has always known the importance of hard work, creativity, giving back, having a passion for ones work – while of course, having fun. After receiving a B.A. in Communication & Culture from Clark University, she traversed numerous geographical borders to end up back in the “Valley of the Sun” (Phoenix, AZ) in 2005, where she went on to earn an MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business.

For more than a decade Natalia worked tirelessly within non-profit organizations, providing services to both the small business and corporate sectors. Community give back is a key pillar in her life and she was recognized for her efforts as one of 2014’s 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40 & in 2015 with the Sparxx Fly: Pillar of Strength Award. In 2016 Natalia founded La NRC, which is dedicated to building communities and strategic partnerships through bilingual training and education via various channels. Most recently she was selected to be a part of Valley Leadership Class 40, which has served as Arizona’s premier leadership development organization for decades. In addition she is the Executive Director of The Solutions Hub, a new initiative of The Valley of the Sun United Way.

Belief in creating positive change locally, nationally, and globally is her fuel! Good humored and open minded, she loves entertaining innovative ideas to further her development and the causes she supports.

Connect with Natalia Ronceria Ceballos on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Improving Health and Restoring Hope around the World and in Our Own Backyard

Since 1970, Esperança has been bringing hope, providing health and transforming communities for the world’s poor. Through their volunteer surgical program, clean water and sanitation, home building, food security and nutrition, disease prevention, education and treatment programs, they have helped millions of people in 14 countries, including the United States.

Learn more at www.esperanca.org. Connect with Esperança on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn,.

Jeri Royce, Esperança

Jeri Royce is the President & CEO of Esperança. She has more than 25 years of experience in local and national nonprofit organizations, and she joined Esperança permanently in March of 2018. She is also Associate Faculty at ASU’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.

Connect with Jeri Royce on LinkedIn.

Maria Valenzuela, Esperança

Maria Valenzuela is the Domestic Program Director at Esperança. She has worked with the organization since the inception of the Domestic Program in 2000. Maria oversees the community health programs Esperança provides within the Phoenix area. She has helped write several of the Esperança curricula, including a healthy living series called Salud con Sabor Latino (Health with a Latin Flavor), the development of nutrition and oral health programs, and a new diabetes course.

Maria has over 22 years of experience in community health programs within the Phoenix metropolitan area. She has worked with Latino–Hispanic families in low-income communities with a focus on nutrition, chronic illnesses, oral health, and empowering families to advocate for their education. She desires to make an impact by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate and sensitive preventative programming, and by advocating for the most vulnerable populations in the poorest communities in Phoenix.

Connect with Maria Valenzuela on LinkedIn.

Anna Ortiz, Esperança

Anna Ortiz is the International Program Director at Esperança. She has a B.A. in Sociology from Arizona State University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Arizona. Anna has many years of experience in environmental health, program planning and management, monitoring and evaluation, WASH initiatives, community development, and cultural integration. She has also served in the Peace Corp and Chicanos Por La Causa.

Connect with Anna Ortiz on LinkedIn.

Girl Scouts: The Business of Building G.I.R.L.s (Go Getters – Innovators – Risk Takers – Leaders)

The Girl Scouts are the experts on girls, providing an all-girl, girl-led, and girl-friendly environment, which creates the necessary safe space for girls to learn and thrive.

Girls face unique challenges, and they need support from the very beginning to build the resilience and confidence to overcome peer and media pressure. Research shows that the single-gender environment builds connectedness, competence and confidence in girls. While most schools and many extracurricular programs are now co-ed, Girl Scouts is one of the few single-gender organizations accessible to all girls and young women. They’re in a unique position to change girls’ lives for the better.

Since the founding of the Girl Scout Movement more than a century ago, this once-small circle of girls has grown to include nearly two million girl members and more than 50 million Girl Scout alums—united across the decades by a spirit of lifelong friendship and shared adventure and the desire to do big things to make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) started in 1936, and over the past 80-plus years and has grown to serve more than 21,000 girls grades K-12 in over 90 communities across central and northern Arizona.

Learn more at www.girlscoutsaz.org/. Connect with Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Susan de Queljoe

Susan de Queljoe is a board member with the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. As a child, Susan de Queljoe was a Girl Scout. Years later, once a mother, she was a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop. And now today, life has come full circle as she leads the Girl Scouts into their future. De Queljoe earned an M.B.A. in Marketing from New York University and a B.A. in Communications from Michigan State University. During her career, she has shared her skills in some interesting geographies – including Indonesia and Singapore. She served St. Vincent de Paul as Director of Community Relations and Business Strategies in the 2000s. Even more came to know her in 2009, when she also gained responsibility for the eight Valley thrift stores and related processes. Her talent for building relationships with local media and businesses helped promote the work of SVdP so people could better understand what the organization does and become more involved. Eager to hone these relationships further, de Queljoe was accepted into and graduated as a member of Valley Leadeship’s Class XXIX. She also joined the local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Phoenix), where she would eventually serve as its president and help to bring the first PRSA Western District Conference in more than two decades to the Valley.

Connect with Susan de Queljoe on LinkedIn.

Emmi Edwards

Emmi Edwards is the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council member-at-Large (1st term, 2017-2020). A lifetime member of Girl Scouts, she served one year as a girl advisory member on the GSACPC board of directors. Her mom, Regina Edwards, was her Troop leader (Troop 47). A University of Arizona graduate with a degree in Business Management and Marketing from the Eller College of Management, Emmi currently works for LAVIDGE as a Digital Strategist, where she focuses on leading digital marketing efforts for clients. She serves on the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council board of directors to help young girls develop confidence while giving them the tools to succeed.

Connect with Emmi Edwards on LinkedIn.

Elizabeth Laughlin

Elizabeth Laughlin is a high school student and Girl Scout who is being awarded her “Gold Award” in March 2019 — the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. For her Gold Award Project, Elizabeth created Teenwealth.org, a website dedicated to helping teens recognize their value in multiple aspects of their life. On the home page, teens in distress can get immediate help by clicking the “Teen Lifeline” or “Crisis Lifeline” button to automatically open these hotlines on their phone’s respective dialer. Each year, there are multiple deaths at Elizabeth’s school related to drugs, alcohol, mental illness, and lack of care. Knowing that this is happening, she wanted to make a place that creates light in the darkness for those at any high school to see their life is worth more than just doing the same thing every single day and determining their self-worth through social media and the treatment from peers.

Learn more about Elizabeth’s Gold Award project at Teenwealth.org.

Dawn Albright

Dawn Albright is co-owner of C + D Industry, a custom wood and metal fabrication company.

C + D Industry designs and manufactures unique furniture for indoors and out including their patented Garden/ Cooler/Fire Table. They have created a unique buying experience allowing for customizations so clients can get what they really love. Their current mission is to continue to expand and grow their brand while reaching into the community to introduce trades to youth. Dawn is particularly passionate about empowering and instilling confidence by teaching skills like woodworking, welding and entrepreneurship to girls.

Dawn started her journey to entrepreneurship at a young age. She was practical but creative and never missed an opportunity to help build or fix something along side her dad. Her mom also instilled in her from a young age that the best way to know that something will get done, is to make sure you know how to do it yourself. Her first job out of high school was driving a fork lift at the local plant in the summer between college semesters. Dawn moved to Arizona after college and enjoyed a rewarding career in physical therapy, including management, for twenty years. Never ceasing to be creative, in her spare time she designed a product based on her love of gardening that has now become the flagship item of C + D Industry. Dawn is the lead woodworker and manages operations of C + D and her husband, Chase, oversees the metal fabrication and the long term vision of their company. Combining her creative passion with her desire to help her community has provided Dawn with the opportunity to help others discover what might be available to them on the other side of traditional education models and ‘typical’ gender roles in the workforce.

Connect with Dawn Albright and C + D Industry on Facebook and Instagram.

Gia Venturi

Gia Venturi is the principal interior designer and business owner of Gia Venturi Interiors. With over 20 years of diverse design experience, Gia brings expertise to high-end custom home design, large-scale remodels and commercial projects that include office design, medical and dental, apartment clubhouses and models, and restaurant design.

Gia graduated with honors from Scottsdale Community College, Interior Design Program. Gia had the exciting fortune to appear on HGTV Designers’ Challenge in October of 2006. She has done several local television segments on Good Morning Arizona Channel 3, talking about design trends. Gia was recognized by The Arizona Business Journal, as a Winner of the – Superstars in Real Estate – Interior Design category, 2005.

She enjoys taking on new design challenges. Multifamily projects are a specialty. Collaboration with all of the key people in a project — owner, architect, general contractor and management companies — to bring about the best design outcome is something she proudly provides. Gia has discovered that listening and great communication is the secret ingredient to a smooth and interesting project.

Connect with Gia Venturi on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.