
Arts & Commerce is hosted by Robin Young, a graduate of Sunnyside High School. Having left Tucson in 1985 to live along the coast of California, Robin returned to Tucson in 2015 and bought her forever home.
In her years in CA, she was blessed to live a life in which she balanced a life of art, commerce and raising her two wonderful children. With a life-long love of the arts and the people who worked in the arts, and a long history of building and working in small businesses, Robin’s goal with this show is to help businesses connect with the arts organizations and artists in Tucson, to the mutual benefit of each and an even wider benefit to the entire community of Tucson.
Today’s Guests on Tucson Business Radio – Arts & Commerce:
Director
Strada Company
520-207-9611
Michael Fenlason is the Artistic Director of Strada Company and the Tubac Center of the Arts. Formerly, the Foundations and Corporations Officer at the Tucson Symphony, Marketing and Public Relations Director at the Tucson Museum of Art, Artistic Director at Unlikely Theater and Beowulf Alley Theatre, Michael has been a nonprofit professional for more than 25 years and every organization he has managed has run without loss or debt. Michael is also a professional writer and playwright and was honored by the American Association of Community Theatres for “far-reaching contribution” to theater.
Executive Director
Tucson Fringe Theatre Festival
tucsonfringe.org
520-261-4851
https://www.facebook.com/tucsonfringe/
Maryann Green is the Executive Director of the Tucson Fringe Theatre Festival and also a Drama Teacher at Rincon High School. Maryann has also worked as an actress and storyteller in Tucson and recently took on the role of managing Live Theatre Workshops Etcetera series.








Tom Matthesen is a seasoned entrepreneur who has not only founded, built and sold several companies, but has also spent over 25 years financing and advising both development stage and more mature growth companies in a wide range of industries. He served as the founding Chairman of the Board for Thrive Farmers and took on the role of President in 2016. Since its inception, Matthesen has worked alongside the founders in the development of the company’s vision, strategic execution and capital formation strategies. Matthesen is passionate about helping businesses build purpose into their beverage programs and empowering the talented men and women who are responsible for growing world-class coffee – the individual farmers.
David Paparelli is Head of Product Development at Thrive Farmers International, where he builds innovative beverage solutions that give farmers the opportunity to earn more. Before his work at Thrive, David spent several years working with nonprofits in East Africa and Central America focused on economic development initiatives. He has a passion for helping entrepreneurs in the





















