Diana Mendoza is the companion animal program manager for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in Los Angeles.
She represents PETA at city government meetings and runs the organization’s “Let’s Fix L.A.” program, which connects Angelenos with low-cost spay/neuter services so that they can comply with the city’s mandatory spay/neuter law, help end the companion animal overpopulation crisis, and improve the lives of dogs and cats.
Our thoughts define who we are. But for many of us, thoughts of work and the things we need to get done consume our waking hours. How can we achieve a more balanced life if we are so overwhelmed?
This is where Bob Boylan and his new book, 4 Ideas With Actionable Wisdom, come in, offering concrete, actionable suggestions from which readers of all ages can benefit.
“People don’t realize that they’re actually living in ‘white water,’” Boylan says. “Busyness has become their normal. They don’t realize that they can improve their lives by just spending a little time each day in ‘calm water thinking’ to help generate fresh, thoughtful ideas and improve focus.”
Bob Boylan is a retired presentation skills trainer, professional landscape photographer, seasoned traveler, and the founder of Successful Presentations. He has been self-employed since the age of 31, which has given him the flexibility to travel, explore, and live his life outside the box. A lifelong encourager, Boylan wrote 4 Ideas with Actionable Wisdom to help people see their lives through different eyes and to realize that there is so much more they could be doing to live more effective, “calm water” lives.
“Practical and inspirational, this is a much needed guide, especially now! Highly recommended.”
Grady Harp, Amazon Top 50 Hall of Fame Reviewer; 5 Stars
Written in short, digestible chapters, 4 Ideas with Actionable Wisdom offers insight that readers can act on now. Readers are encouraged to learn to balance their lives, to be more grateful, to make changes more effectively, and to be more creative. Boylan’s included discussion questions help readers pinpoint exactly where they can change their own thinking, find calm and focus, and take more effective control of their lives and what they will become.
“No matter how young or old you are, you can always take steps to change your life for the better, and Bob has some excellent, wisdom-filled advice to offer. Highly recommended!”
Rachel Song, Editor and Writer; 5-stars
“My goal is to make sure that readers not only understand my ideas but use them,” Boylan says. “We become what we think about. Ultimately, you are in control of what you think about and how you think about it.”
4 Ideas With Actionable Wisdom, ISBN 9781098361563 (paperback) $10.95, ISBN 9781098361570 (e-book) $6.99, 2021, 99 pages, Book Baby, Available at Amazon and Book Baby.
Woodland Park, CO – Have you thought seriously about retirement? No, not about downsizing your home or having enough money in your bank account to afford it. Have you thought about what you will do and how you will live?
For most, our days, weeks, and years are shaped by unforgiving work schedules. Then, when we finally retire, we find ourselves floundering with an empty calendar and no idea how to fill the time. This is where Bob Boylan and Retirement: Your New Adventure!, a new book focusing on how to make your retirement extraordinary, come in.
Bob Boylan is a retired presentation skills trainer, professional landscape photographer, seasoned traveler, and the founder of Successful Presentations. He has been self-employed since the age of 31, which has given him the flexibility to travel, explore, and live his life outside the box. A lifelong encourager and adventurer, Bob wrote Retirement: Your Next Adventure to inspire people who are starting to think seriously about retirement or who have already taken the plunge to use the time they have to live an adventurous, out-of-the-box life.
“I want people to use this book to help them define and design their adventure in their retirement years,” Boylan says. “It’s your choice to decide if your windshield will be bigger than your rearview mirror. You’ll be better off if you do something more than talk about just ‘remember when.’”
“Boylan emphasizes the power of imagination, having more fun, and that the future matters more than the past, as well as other important thoughts that escort us into a happy and meaningful retirement.”
Grady Harp, Amazon Top 50 Hall of Fame Reviewer; 5-stars
Boylan encourages his readers to stop looking toward the past, getting stuck in “remember when’s.” He urges people to think differently, to stop living on “someday isle,” and to recognize that the “windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror.” He emphasizes that what you do with your time and opportunity is ultimately your choice, so make it count.
“A much needed and helpful read for people of all ages, but especially those who are thinking about retiring or who have already retired. Highly recommended!”
Rachel Song, Editor and Writer; 5-stars
Each chapter is short, sweet, and easy to understand, offering actionable wisdom and discussion questions to get you (and your spouse) thinking about what might be possible. Retirement: Your Next Adventure assumes you are financially ready for this next phase and hopes to guide you toward living an exciting, rewarding life.
“My goal is to make sure that readers not only understand my ideas but use them,” Boylan says. “Sometimes we can look hope right in the face and not see it. I want you to be able to see hope in the season of your retirement.”
Retirement: Your New Adventure!, ISBN 9781098363048 (e–book) $8.99, ISBN 9781098363031 (paperback) $14.95, 2021, Book Baby, 128 pgs, Available at Amazon.
Bob Boylan is a presentation skills trainer and professional landscape photographer with a zest for life. He has been self-employed since the age of thirty-one. He founded Successful Presentations and travels across the country delivering “training that takes” to middle to senior management. His goal is to help people change their paradigms and open their minds to a better way of doing things.
A native of Minnesota, Bob attended Saint Thomas University in Saint Paul, then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he graduated with a BA in psychology. He has five children and six grandchildren.
After photographing the best tulip gardens in Austria in 2013, Bob and his wife Linda decided to sell everything they owned and move to Salzburg. Today, Bob and Linda live in Woodland Park, Colorado, where they’re always looking for their next adventure.
Bob is the author of Retirement: Your New Adventure! and 4 Ideas with Actionable Wisdom. For more information, visit bobboylan.com.
Media Contact: For a review copy of and 4 Ideas with Actionable Wisdom or Retirement: Your Next Adventure! or to arrange an interview with Bob Boylan, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on twitter @abookpublicist
Founder Art Mooney originally created Mooney Mountain Guides Inc. in 2001. Art’s idea was to create a guide service that operated in central New Hampshire, providing his guests with climbs at Rumney, Cannon, and Franconia Notch. In the beginning, Art was the sole owner and sole guide. From the start Art’s mission for MMG has been to provide his guests with a more personalized and exceptional experience than his competitors. Through Art’s hard work and dedication, MMG has grown setting in motion the careers of many professional guides. For his commitment and industry leading standards Art was awarded the AMGA Excellence in Guiding Award in 2014 and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
In 2014, Mooney Mountain Guides LLC was sold to Alex Teixeira. Prior to the sale Alex was a MMG Guide following his mentor Art’s footsteps. This path led Alex to his current position as owner operator of Mooney Mountain Guides LLC. Alex’s vision is to continue the original mission of MMG and take the company into the future as an example of excellence in American guiding.
Mooney Mountain Guides LLC goal is to provide the highest quality guided experience to our guests on guided climbs, lessons, and courses. It is the continuous effort of all MMG guides to not only guide the climb, but also create a personalized experience for each guest, each day based on guest goals. MMG guides will practice safe climbing techniques, teach up to date information, follow Leave No Trace principles and treat our guests and other climbers with the highest degree of personal respect.
In addition to the service provided, MMG’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for our guests by being at the leading edge of industry development and professionalism. This includes in-house training, guide mentorship, and personal professional development. Guides who pursue personal growth are rewarded with increased benefits and compensations. This commitment to industry leading guide training sets us apart from other guide services. Being a pitch above the rest our guests will come to expect the highest degree of professionalism and care and as a result choose to climb with MMG over other guide services.
Alex grew up skiing and exploring the wild places of New England. These early explorations led Alex to rock climbing, mountaineering and backcountry skiing and from there into guiding. Alex began guiding professionally in 2007 in an effort to combine his passion for climbing and teaching. In 2014 Alex took over as owner of Mooney Mountain Guides from his mentor and friend Art Mooney, providing the opportunity for sharing his passion for the mountains into his life’s work.
Alex believes that guiding is so much more than just putting the rope up. It is about creating an experience that not only adds to the quality of life of his guests, it also expands their relationship with the Earth and with themselves. “Creating experiences for growth is what I enjoy most about my work. The guests I climb with the most become my friends, and I get to watch them transform into climbers and planet activists.” As a father, business owner, teacher and experienced guide he has a keen sense of risk and how to manage it to create unforgettable experiences for his guests.
Email: alex@mooneymountainguides.com
Director – Product Management, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Andrea Berryman is the Director – Product Management for Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. In her role, Andrea leads the North America product development team to drive forward Cooper’s long term product strategy. Andrea’s efforts focus on Cooper brand products as well as Mastercraft, Starfire and private label brands.
Andrea joined Cooper in April 2017 as Product Manager – SUV. In January 2020, she was promoted to the role of Director – Product Management. Prior to joining Cooper, Andrea worked for the Dana Corporation where she was a Program Manager for commercial vehicles. Earlier in her career, she spent 24 years at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company working in a variety of engineering and product marketing roles.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Kansas.
OHIO-BASED COMPANY
The beginnings of Cooper® date back to 1914 in Akron, Ohio, when two brothers-in-law John F. Schaefer and Claude E. Hart formed a company to produce tire patches, tire cement and tire repair kits. Schaefer and Hart purchased The Giant Tire & Rubber Company of Akron, a tire rebuilding business, and shortly thereafter moved the business to Findlay, Ohio.
In 1926, Ira J. Cooper® developed the “Cooper® Creed” which focused the company on providing “good merchandise, fair play, and a square deal.” The vision of Ira J. Cooper® continues at Cooper® today.
DEDICATED TO TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Established in 2014 in Findlay, Cooper’s Global Technical Center is a worldwide center of excellence for tire science and technology deployed around the globe. Along with the continuous improvement of our tires, Cooper® performs rigorous testing at our facility near San Antonio, Texas.
MADE TO LAST
At Cooper®, we believe that manufacturing a quality product is key to ensuring your peace of mind. All Cooper® tires are backed by a standard or premium limited warranty, and select products are also backed by a 45-day road test or mileage warranty, helping to give you peace of mind on the road.
COMMITTED TO SAFETY
Safety is our top priority. Visit the safety section for information on tire replacement, driving tips and proper tire maintenance.
An admitted serial entrepreneur, John Smalley doesn’t fit the typical mold of a pest control company owner – but then again, neither does Pest Friends, the company John co-founded with Scott Nolen.
After studying business at Southeast Missouri State University, John proceeded into the corporate world with a healthcare management and staffing firm, rising quickly within their ranks through a talent for turnaround/change management and territory development. It was through this season of his professional life that he would arrive in Tucson, which he and his family have called home for over a decade.
Like so many, though, John felt a calling towards entrepreneurship, and that calling has run through several iterations – first in consulting, then in an adjacent segment of the healthcare industry, until culminating in his partnership and venture in an industry he and his partners feel is a tremendously underserved industry and ripe for innovation: pest control.
Seeking to challenge the existing approach of broad service areas, heavy utilization of chemicals and poisons, and boilerplate service plans, John and his partners believe there is a better – and smarter – way to serve their customers through hyper-local relationships, a heavy emphasis on data analytics as well as technology, and individualized, environmentally-conscious treatment plans.
Contact/Social Media:
Website URL: https://www.mypestfriends.com
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-smalley-40321336/
Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/my_pest_friends
Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/Pest-Friends-103816431281054/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_pest_friends
Matt Nelson: Senior Vice President, Crest Insurance Group
Matt is a Senior Vice President at Crest Insurance Group in Tucson, consulting with companies to identify and implement insurance, risk management, and employee benefits solutions. With more than 15 years of industry experience, he has served as a keynote speaker on the healthcare industry, leadership, workplace culture, and risk management for professional organizations throughout Southern Arizona, including the City of Tucson, Greater Tucson Leadership, the Financial Executives and Affiliates of Tucson, and the CEO Roundtable of Tucson.
Matt is an active member in the Tucson community, having served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Arizona Army National Guard and volunteering with multiple local organizations, including as Treasurer and a Big Brother with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, a volunteer with the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Chair of the Pima County JTED’s Business and Industry Council, a builder with Habitat for Humanity and many other local youth charities.
Email: mnelson@crestins.com
Phone: 520.784.7636
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mattrnelson2
Born and raised in Texas, Todd Sadow has long been interested in competitive cycling, racing road cycles before moving to Tucson for college and shifting his focus to the growing sport of mountain biking. Early on, however, he did what many enthusiasts find themselves forced to do – keep their hobby firmly into the “hobby” column and head out to work each morning.
For Todd, work was a rising career in the world of retail real estate development and management company who built and managed mall properties across the United States. Unlike most, however, Todd made the leap so many dream of: leaving the corporate world to fill a void he saw in the cycling community and pursuing his dream by building a career in the cycling industry hosting signature mountain biking events across the country.
Since that fateful day, his company – Epic Rides – has grown to one of the most recognizable names in the field, hosting events in Arizona, Nevada, Arkansas and Colorado which include its signature 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo race – the longest-running American event of its type – based right here in Tucson.
From humble beginnings, the passion project now known as Epic Rides has grown to become one of the most recognizable names in mountain bike events, starting with the organization’s first Tour of the White Mountains and now preparing to host events in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Arkansas. The organization is perhaps best known for its iconic 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo event, the longest running race of its type in the United States, which will be celebrating its 22nd running in 2022.
With participants ranging from Olympic athletes to documentary filmmakers and local weekend warriors, their events are billed as a platform for personal achievement, camaraderie, challenge and life driving motivation (and satisfaction). Maybe even more notably, they are designed solely to deliver happiness to all involved while spreading the gospel of mountain biking.
Epic Rides Contact/Social Media:
Website URL: www.epicrides.com
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-sadow-8058997
Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/#!/EpicRides
Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/epicrides
Instagram: https://instagram.com/epicrides#
Matt Nelson: Senior Vice President, Crest Insurance Group
Matt is a Senior Vice President at Crest Insurance Group in Tucson, consulting with companies to identify and implement insurance, risk management, and employee benefits solutions. With more than 15 years of industry experience, he has served as a keynote speaker on the healthcare industry, leadership, workplace culture, and risk management for professional organizations throughout Southern Arizona, including the City of Tucson, Greater Tucson Leadership, the Financial Executives and Affiliates of Tucson, and the CEO Roundtable of Tucson.
Matt is an active member in the Tucson community, having served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Arizona Army National Guard and volunteering with multiple local organizations, including as Treasurer and a Big Brother with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, a volunteer with the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Chair of the Pima County JTED’s Business and Industry Council, a builder with Habitat for Humanity and many other local youth charities.
Email: mnelson@crestins.com
Phone: 520.784.7636
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mattrnelson2
Born and raised in Ohio, moved to Tucson in ’62- ‘69, attended UofA majoring in education, moved to NY City in ’69 where I was employed with British Airways, and then moved into Wall Street recruiting.
Returned to Tucson in 2007 to care for my 87-year-old mother who just turned 101.
Became aware of the foster care crises while heading up a group of volunteers at my church. Started talking to the foster families at my church to try and find a way to help in some way.
I and 2 families began discussions and More Than a Bed was conceived. After 1.5 years, the time needed to build MTaB became too much for the foster families who had 4-10 children each. Through continuous conversations with the families and teens in foster care, my knowledge and education grew. I began talking to various DCS caseworkers to try and understand the procedures.
I did not personally experience being a foster parent, nor did I plan this journey that I am currently on. The stories and experiences of the children broke and continues to break my heart. When I look into these children’s beautiful faces, I want to make sure that they are finally valued and safe and can see a future.
The first 3 years we worked out of 9 storage units located at Ina and I-10. Then someone heard us on a radio show similar to this telling the audience that we needed a building so that we could offer much more to our foster families.
Six months later, we moved into our current warehouse which was donated and built by an anonymous donor especially for More Than a Bed to serve the children. We have now been in the warehouse almost 4 years and are bursting at the seams.
Website: http://morethanabed.org/
Address: 3637 North 1st Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Phones: (520) 428-5280
Direct Phone: 917-612-1915
Email: grace@morethanabed.org
I was born and raised in southern California.
My neighbors fostered kids throughout my whole time in California. Then I moved to Flagstaff, AZ to attend NAU where I
earned a BA in business administration and management for nonprofits.
Volunteered at the local animal shelter and then was hired on to create a foster program and to become the foster coordinator where I created a successful program. Later moved to Tucson, got married and became the foster coordinator at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
In 2018, I was involved in a car accident which left me unable to do my current job at the animal shelter.
A few months later I started my own business helping entrepreneurs find and create their brand, then designing a website that resonated with that brand, now known as Modern Bay Designs.
Once I was healed, I was able to fulfil my dream of being a foster parent. My husband Shane and I became licensed in 2019 and received first placement a few days later. I met Grace because I went to MTaB with my first placement! I was so impressed with the warehouse and wanted to give back so I offered my services at a rate that MTaB could afford.
We have now been working together for almost two years now.
Phone: 520-904-0669
Website: www.morethanabed.com
Email: marketing@morethanabed.com
Jaime Overturf
Farmers Agent, Entrepreneur
2555 N Campbell Ave
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 293-2900
joverturf@farmersagent.com
As a local Farmers® agent in Tucson, AZ, Jaime Overturf helps customers identify the insurance coverage that best fits their needs. This process is straightforward and personalized to help make them more informed about their insurance options.
Jaime has the knowledge and experience to help customers better understand their coverage options–whether that Jaime has the knowledge and experience to help customers better understand their coverage options–whether that’s auto, home, life, business insurance, and more. You can connect with Jaime on Facebook.
i3 Media Solutions contact@i3mediasolutions.com
For as long as Frankie can remember, she loved art and computers. Although when it came time for her to decide what to study in college, she was confused since most artists were known as starving artists during their lifetime and she was not excited about sitting at a computer all day unless it involved some kind of creativity. That is when it came to her: she could combine the two and study graphic design and marketing.
Soon after she gained degrees in both as an undergraduate student, Frankie entered the agency world. She worked on large campaigns for national companies through the “if you build it, they will come” era of website design.
Frankie has a soft spot in her heart for small businesses since her father started his own business and she knew that having your own business was not an easy path. That drive she saw in her father gave her the courage to start her own company which is when i3 Media Solutions was born. She set out to help small businesses gain exposure by providing marketing solutions that fit within their budgets.
i3 Media Solutions contact@i3mediasolutions.com
Martha was born and raised in Ohio. She studied technical writing at Bowling Green State University. After graduation, she worked as a technical writer, in direct sales, as a church coordinator, in a real estate office, in an insurance office, as a substitute teacher, and as an account manager. Martha loves people, helping others and working in a team environment.
For more than those twenty years, she’s been keeping clients satisfied with excellent customer service across those various fields. Helping businesses find solutions for their digital marketing is truly my passion and she was so lucky to have found i3 Media Solutions!
Organization Website URL: i3mediasolutions.com
LinkedIn URL: linkedin.com/company/i3-media-solutions
Twitter URL: twitter.com/i3mediasolution
Instagram: instagram.com/i3mediasolutionsaz
I grew up on a family farm in northern Colorado and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University. After graduation, I returned to the farm where I worked in partnership with my father for 10 years.
I was then selected as the Executive Vice President of the Colorado Cattle Feeders Association, a position I held for 15 years. During my tenure, the organization expanded its membership to include dairy and pork producers and became the Colorado Livestock Association.
Wanting to expand my knowledge and take on new challenges, I became a partner in an automobile dealership.
In 2010 I became a financial advisor with Edward Jones and joined the Greater Vail area Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, I purchased a Farmers Insurance Agency, which I have owned for the past 3 years.
In May of 2020, I became the President/CEO of the Vail Chamber.
I see numerous opportunities and challenges the community has ahead of it as it continues to grow at a dramatic rate.
As an advocate for business growth, I hope to help guide the Chamber to play a key role in influencing Vail’s future to enhance growth opportunities and advanced economic development in the Greater Vail area.
Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce, 13105 E Colossal Cave Rd
City: Vail.
Email: brad@greatervailchamber.com
Phones: (520) 264-8245
Don Conklin and his wife Theresa are the proud owners of Pinnacle Custom Signs, a full service commercial sign company located in Buford Georgia. The company was started 10 years ago in 2011.
Prior to opening the business Don spent 25 years in the Telecom industry, mostly with Bellsouth. He has extensive experience in managing large and small operations both Domestically and Internationally. He and Theresa have 4 wonderful sons and soon to have their seventh grandchild. They reside in Flowery Branch, Georgia. 
Brad Arnow has been with Pinnacle Custom Signs for just short of one year. He came to Pinnacle Custom Signs as a former customer for a national client of Pinnacle Custom Signs, C2 Education, where he was the National Construction and Facilities Manager.
Brad has extensive prior experience in retail and restaurant ownership. He proudly attended Clemson University. He lives in Flowery Branch, GA and has 3 children ranging from 10 to 24 years, which keeps him very busy when he is not working. He enjoys spending time with his kids, attending car races and shows, and cooking.
Paul Wilson, Area Director with SBDC, has extensive industry experience that spans leadership roles in supply chain management, procurement, marketing, supplier diversity, and small business development. His expertise includes strategic analysis, operational planning, leadership development, contract writing, video marketing, video production, training and curriculum development.
Having worked with Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and educational institutions, Paul brings a diverse wealth of knowledge, perspective, and skills to the small business community.
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn and follow SBDC on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook and Instagram.
Telisha Farrow Jackson joined serves as the Small Business Outreach Specialist for the Department of Administrative Services. She interacts with small businesses and advocates on their behalf with government contracting officers, contract specialists, and end-users. She has an extensive and varied career in multiple industries, including lending and underwriting; small business development; project management; compliance and controls.
Telisha performed cost analysis for businesses in her former role as an underwriter and a branch manager. She has also managed outreach initiatives and negotiated corporate partnerships; developed curriculum, and led multiple process improvement and best practice initiatives. Her expertise dwells in analyzing and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations to ensure that strategies can be successfully executed.
Telisha has used her people skills to build community involvement and awareness by participating in various community outreach events and professionally moderating conferences.
Connect with Telisha on LinkedIn.
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