Karen, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Thad Fitzgerald with Grease Monkey E26

May 13, 2021 by Karen

Thad-Fitzgerald-with-Grease-Monkey-feature

Phoenix Business Radio

Thad Fitzgerald with Grease Monkey E26

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Thad Fitzgerald with Grease Monkey E26

Grease Monkey, was founded in 1978 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The Grease Monkey® brand currently operates more than 300 centers internationally with operations in Mexico, China, Colombia and Saudi Arabia.

Grease Monkey® is the nation’s largest independent franchisor of automotive oil change centers and is looking to expand in 2021 by opening 30+ new locations. Grease Monkey® International, LLC is the nation’s largest independent franchisor of automotive oil change centers serving more than 2 million customers each year.

Our Grease Monkey® Certified Pit Crews offer customers a service experience that is unrivaled in the automotive industry. Our highly trained technicians are certified using our proprietary Grease Monkey® Technician Training & Certification Program. Grease Monkey® certified pit crews offer drivers an exceptional experience, delivered with speed and precision.

Thad Fitzgerald, with Grease Monkey®, is a Master Certified Harley Technician. He has been working on automotive /diesel for over 22 yrs. Born in Chico, CA, Thad moved to Cody, WY as a child, and in 2015 became a bike dealer and opened a shop.

After being approached by his now business partner to help find a manager for his business, Thad moved to Phoenix and after a year, became a partner, and is now running the multi-million dollar company.

Thad is a father of 2 sons, Zain, 19 and Kade, 17. Zain is a professional bull rider and Kade is still in High School. Kade also rides bulls in the Highschool Rodeo.

Follow Grease Monkey® on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Leadership Lowdown was created to share the REAL story behind valley leaders’ rise to the top, and the truth about what it takes to TRULY succeed in life and business. Hear the raw stories of these leaders’ journeys…the pitfalls, the victories, and all of the heartaches and triumphs in between.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Jodi Low is an accomplished corporate trainer, inspirational speaker, and the Founder and CEO of U & Improved. Jodi has trained thousands of entrepreneurs and executives on how to build a booming business, master a mindset for success, and achieve the lifestyle they desire through heart-fueled leadership.

Through U & Improved—an award-winning personal and professional leadership development company based in Scottsdale—Jodi has redefined traditional leadership training by creating a sustainable and actionable model that is personal, challenging and meaningful to each and every individual who enrolls in any of the two-and-a-half-day experiential training classes. She and her elite training team have advanced the charge in heart-based leadership
development and empower U & Improved graduates with knowledge, tools and awareness to immediately be more effective and responsive leaders at work, home and within their communities.

Among her many accomplishments as a Valley leader, Jodi launched a teen leadership program in 2014 to empower young adults to become more confident, motivated and focused stewards of our future. In 2016, she founded a non-profit arm of the company—the U & Improved Leadership Foundation—that makes the program more accessible to deserving teens.

Jodi has been recognized by industry publications and organizations for her work in leadership development and serves as a source of inspiration within the community. In 2015, she was honored as an “Outstanding Women in Business” by the Phoenix Business Journal and by the Phoenix Suns and National Bank of Arizona with the “Amazing Women” award. She has received both the prestigious “Diversity Leader of the Year” and the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce’s “Sterling Award.” She was also awarded a Silver Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 and was a finalist for the Junior League of Phoenix’s Valley Impact Award. Jodi is a devoted single parent who volunteers her time at her daughters’ school programs and with organizations such as Angel Mamas, where she’s served on the board for three years.

STEM over the Summer E10

May 12, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

STEM over the Summer E10

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STEM over the Summer E10

STEM Unplugged – STEM over the Summer was a discussion with collaborative nonprofit partners at Lowell Observatory, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Pathways to Learning. In this episode, Kelly, Tom and Elise explored ways for community members to engage in hands on STEM to find their identity as learners.

Lowell Observatory has a unique methodology for teaching which focuses on STEM for all levels, including thermodynamics for preschoolers! Pathways to Learning has created new approaches to engaging learners with STEAM in a backpack, Ag in a Bag and the mobile STEAM lab. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is focused on connecting the community with hands on activities at the library, with current undergrads and more!

The mission of Lowell Observatory is to pursue the study of astronomy, especially the study of our solar system and its evolution; to conduct pure research in astronomical phenomena; and to maintain quality public education and outreach programs to bring the results of astronomical research to the general public.

Kelly Ferguson has served as the Education Coordinator at Lowell Observatory since October 2015. She joined the observatory staff in 2014 as a public program educator while she finished her Master’s program at Northern Arizona University. She also runs camp programs for children ages 3-14.

Kelly earned her M.S. in Applied Physics in 2016 and has dedicated her time to teaching formal science in an informal setting. Kelly is currently back in school to get a certificate in early childhood development. For the past 14 years, Kelly has worked with young children in underprivileged areas of her community, bringing her love and passion for STEM education to as many as possible.

Follow Lowell Observatory on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Those who are part of the educational landscape are discovering that formal education is more than just four walled classrooms in our cities. Today, there are learning landscapes and systems that meet the students where they learn the best, in green (outdoor) spaces. There are volumes of research supporting this!

Pathways to Learning (PTL) organizes interest-driven exploration that fuels connected growth among people and the planet. Its ability to combine and reconfigure three separate but synergistic platforms enables Pathways to Progressive Learning to build educational products and events that every experience builds upward–each on top of the last—while, at the same time, inviting every customer to venture further outward from familiar sites to new settings.

Trailblazing educational opportunities from valley basins to mountain peaks – it is so important we stake our name on it. No two customers are the same. Some prefer educational tours, others want a map and a compass.

One of key initiative PTL has developed is it Outdoor STEM Centered Education program (OSCE). Since the beginning of OSCE eight years ago, 350 schools, 1,440 teachers and 27,000 campers from Metro Phoenix and rural Arizona communities have participated in OSCE and 50% of which are Title 1 schools.

OSCE is delivered through different PTL Learning Platforms; mountain learning platforms, Mobil STEM Discovery Lap and STEAM in a Backpack and Ag. in a Bag. These can be utilized through its Pathways to Progressive Learning.

Tom Fraker, CEO of Pathways to Learning (PTL), has worked for more than 35 years in the business and nonprofit sector, focusing his entrepreneurial skills on creating and developing successful organizations by blending the passion of the non-profit sector with the discipline and organizational structuring of the private sector.

His synergistic approach has been enhanced across sectors (private, public and non-profit) by integrating relationships and the development of partnerships.

Follow STEAM in a Backpack on Facebook and Instagram, Chauncey Ranch & Camp on Facebook and Instagram, and Camp Tontozonia on Facebook.

Embry-Riddle STEM Outreach is committed to the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics – a STEM-based education. The Embry-Riddle faculty and students have worked with the community to share in this commitment to STEM-centered experiential and project-based learning.

The STEM Education Center, alongside the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium, support existing STEM outreach efforts by faculty and students to sustain a culture of STEM literacy and enthusiasm in the Quad Cities. The Embry-Riddle STEM Education Center fills a vital need for promoting and enhancing STEM education at Embry-Riddle, in local K-12 schools, and in the community at large.

Elise Corcoran began as the Director of STEM Outreach in the spring of 2021. She is a passionate educator with over 15 years of experience teaching students and leading staff in wilderness and classroom settings.

With a background in education and a master’s degree in Natural Resources and GIS, Elise has always been involved in both science and education. She is committed to teaching scientific literacy skills to promote responsibility, problem solving, and global thinking in the next generation.

She is delighted to be a part of the ERAU team and help inspire children’s interest in the STEM fields.

Follow the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium on Facebook.

About Our Sponsor

SciTech Institute™ was established as the Arizona Technology Council Foundation as the conduit for collaboration among STEM industry, academia, civic, and non-profit organizations in Arizona. Now, rebranded and named the SciTech Institute™ the goal centers around aligning assets and resources to motivate individuals to pursue STEM-related educational and career paths or find a passion while engaged in community events during the SciTech Festival.

The Chief Science Officer program highlights the 6th-12th graders that have been selected as leaders in their schools and communities to receive training to build a world-class community of diverse STEM-literate workers and knowledgeable, engaged citizens. Science For All allows for tax credit donations to provide engaging experiences for students while RAIN (Rural Activation Innovation Network) focuses on resources for the rural areas of Arizona.

As a STEM Learning Ecosystem, SciTech Institute™ focuses on collaboration and connecting individuals with opportunities! STEM Professionals are encouraged to engage with the future workforce by serving as a mentor, leadership coach, panelist, keynote and session trainer during a variety of conferences hosted or sponsored by SciTech Institute™ and The Arizona Technology Council.

Teachers and Administrators are invited to connect with the resources available while activating a large network of STEM champions for student projects, judges at events, volunteers, exhibitors and more. SciTech Festival Event Coordinators are supported during the planning and execution of community STEM events around the state by the SciTech STREET Team Members and the growing network of volunteers. The possibilities are endless! SciTech Institute™ looks forward to connecting with you today. Visit SciTechInstitute.org today for more information.

Follow SciTech Institute on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Your STEM Unplugged Host

After graduating from Bolivar-Richburg High School in rural western New York and joining the United States Army, Kelly Greene learned quickly to adapt to her surroundings to be successful. She attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and played shortstop on the Tiger softball team while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.

After graduating from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, she traveled the world with the military. While stationed in Misawa, Japan, Kelly fell in love with learning about cultures around the world. Even as a deployed Soldier during Operation Iraqi Freedom for two tours, she found opportunities to connect with the local children to form the Victory Base Council Girl Scouts with her fellow servicemen.

In 2013, she was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and traveled the country by air and had the opportunity to utilize the most advanced technologies available to the tactical HUMINT operations in theater. Upon return from combat, she retired with 21 years of service and began teaching 6th grade Math.

After being selected as a Westside Impact Teacher of the Year and having her Fiesta Bowl Charities Wish Granted for a morning news studio, she was asked to begin a new class on campus – 7th grade STEM! Using her enthusiastic nature and combined with her strong classroom management she was able to design curriculum based on the Engineering Design Process to have her 7th graders complete a new project every 2 weeks!

She is excited to serve as the Director of Student Success for the rapidly expanding Chief Science Officers Program. Her goal is to push students just a bit outside of their comfort zone so they can see for themselves the power of their own ideas.

Breakthrough the Growth Plateau E52

May 12, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Breakthrough the Growth Plateau E52

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Breakthrough the Growth Plateau E52

In this episode of Tycoons, tune in to hear Gary give some great advice on how to take your company to the next level. It all starts with an honest performance discussion about your goals, performance history, and applying a proactive approach using a system that brings value.

Having a process is so important to any program that aims to teach value and apply towards breaking through a growth plateau. This is what Pivotal Advisors does by handing you the keys to success: who has the best chance to win, putting in a system that works, and investing in sales leaders.

Pivotal Advisors works with small business that have plateaued and are trying to scale to the next level. Many businesses grow to a certain point through great products and services and a good core group of people who do everything. That growth can take them a long way, but at some point they start to plateau. They try several things to try to reignite growth such as hiring different people, sending their sales team to training and even changing up their compensation strategy to “motivate” people, but results of those efforts are limited.

Pivotal Advisors was founded by partners who both experienced hyper-growth in their respective careers. They learned that the things that you do to manage your sales teams at $5M and $10M are very different than at $25M, $50M or $100M. You need to be more disciplined and intentional and use systems and repeatable process in order to scale.

Pivotal Advisors helps companies not only implement those key components, but they also help the sales leader and CEO drive adoption of them so the company can grow profitably, consistently and predictably. We do this by either inserting our own consultants as Fractional Sales Leaders or by working with your existing sales leader to help them drive the needed change.

Gary Braun is a lifelong salesperson and sales leader. His first job out of college was selling copiers door to door to small businesses. From there, he moved on to working for a manufacturer to sell desktop publishing equipment. Being successful at that, he was promoted to his first sales management position and quickly learned that managing sales and selling are two different skills and there were few resources to learn how to manage performance, coach, hire, train, forecast, etc.

Next, Gary sold high end servers, storage and networking equipment to Fortune 1000 companies and learned selling to large enterprises was very different from selling to small businesses. His next venture was critical in his learning as he took a job selling for an outsourced ecommerce company.

He joined as a salesperson and the 23rd employee of the company that was doing $1M in revenue. He left 11 years later when the company was $400M in revenue and had 1,400 employees across the globe. This is where learned a lot of the concepts about how make the critical changes needed to scale. In 2008, he joined his brother/partner to found Pivotal Advisors to help small business grow.

Gary has been married to his wife, Becky, for 28 years and they have two daughters – one a sophomore in college and one a Marine based in southern CA.

Follow Pivotal Advisors on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

About the Show

Tycoons of Small Biz spotlights the true backbone of the American economy, the true tycoons of business in America… the owners, founders and CEO’s of small businesses. Join hosts, Austin L Peterson, Landon Mance and the featured tycoons LIVE every Tuesday at 1 pm, right here on Business RadioX and your favorite podcast platform.

About Your Hosts

Austin Peterson is a Comprehensive Financial Planner and co-founder of Backbone Planning Partners in Scottsdale, AZ. Austin is a registered rep and investment advisor representative with Lincoln Financial Advisors. Prior to joining Lincoln Financial Advisors, Austin worked in a variety of roles in the financial services industry.

He began his career in financial services in the year 2000 as a personal financial advisor with Independent Capital Management in Santa Ana, CA. Austin then joined Pacific Life Insurance Company as an internal wholesaler for their variable annuity and mutual fund products. After Pacific Life, Austin formed his own financial planning company in Southern California that he built and ran for 6 years and eventually sold when he moved his family to Salt Lake City to pursue his MBA.

After he completed his MBA, Austin joined Crump Life Insurance where he filled a couple of different sales roles and eventually a management role throughout the five years he was with Crump. Most recently before joining Lincoln Financial Advisors in February 2015, Austin spent 2 years as a life insurance field wholesaler with Symetra Life Insurance Company. Austin is a Certified Financial Planner Professional and Chartered Life Underwriter. In 2021, Austin became a Certified Business Exit Consultant® (CBEC®) to help entrepreneurs plan to exit their businesses.

Austin and his wife of 23 years, Robin, have two children, AJ (21) and Ella (18) and they reside in Gilbert, Arizona. He is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in French and of Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management with a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in sales and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Austin on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Landon Mance is a Financial Planner and co-founder of Backbone Planning Partners out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He rebranded his practice in 2020 to focus on serving small business owners after operating as Mance Wealth Management since 2015 when Landon broke off from a major bank and started his own “shop.”

Landon comes from a family of successful entrepreneurs and has a passion and excitement for serving the business community. This passion is what brought about the growth of Backbone Planning Partners to help business owners and their families. At Backbone Planning, we believe small business owners’ personal and business goals are intertwined, so we work with our clients to design a financial plan to support all aspects of their lives.

In 2019, Landon obtained the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation through the Exit Planning Institute. With this certification, Backbone Planning Partners assists business owners through an ownership transition while focusing on a positive outcome for their employees and meeting the business owner’s goals. Landon is also a member of the Business Intelligence Institute (BII) which is a collaborative group that shares tools, resources and personnel, and offers advanced level training and technical support to specifically serve business owners. In 2021, Landon became a Certified Business Exit Consultant® (CBEC®) to help entrepreneurs plan to exit their businesses by counseling owners about exit options, estimating the value of the business, preparing the business for exit and tax considerations.

Landon enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, stepson, and new baby twins. He grew up in sunny San Diego and loves visiting his family, playing a round of golf with friends, and many other outdoor activities. Landon tries to make a difference in the lives of children in Las Vegas as a part of the leadership team for a local non-profit. He regularly visits the children that we work with to remind himself of why it’s so important to, “be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Landon received his B.S. from California State University Long Beach in business marketing and gets the rest of his education through the school of hard knocks via his business owner clients.

Connect with Landon on LinkedIn.

Austin Peterson and Landon Mance are registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Backbone Financial and Your Future Planning Partners are marketing names for registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors

CRN-3557507-042021

Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.

The content presented is for informational and educational purposes. The information covered and posted are views and opinions of the guests and not necessarily those of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

Business RadioX® is a separate entity not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

E78 Building Project Management Communities with David Barrett

May 12, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

E78 Building Project Management Communities with David Barrett

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E78 Building Project Management Communities with David Barrett

Everywhere we look we see the impact of Project Management. As the PM industry grows, a challenge we face now as project/program managers is how do we not get lost within the millions of practitioners and hundreds of associations and certifications around the world? As David Barrett has shown us several times, we can turn to smaller communities within the broader industry. Without a community, how might we navigate all this noise?

“As a community we can assist each other to see that the faster and better you deliver: the more connected with the business and strategy through the project piece; this conveys the meaning of how important we are.” -David

In this episode of Project Management Office Hours, David Barrett shares his story with us and the impact his communities have had within the project management industry. His newest community was born during the COVID pandemic as we isolated to our homes he found a way to keep us all connected with the launch of the project management video web site – ProjectBites.com. Be sure to visit ProjectBites to see 140+ short videos from industry leaders covering the full range of Project Management topics.

To hear what David is working on next, listen to the full episode and subscribe to the podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/project-management-office-hours/id1398533604

Use CODE: PMOJoe to receive ProjectBites annual membership for only $20!

Thank you to our sponsors The PMO Squad and The PMO Leader. Learn more:

The PMO Squad – https://www.thepmosquad.com
The PMO Leader – https://www.thepmoleader.com

David Barrett is a professional speaker, regular blogger, podcast host, author of 8 books and project management education advisor to numerous universities in Canada.

David’s career includes the creation and directing of a project management conference business called ProjectWorld ProjectSummit, a training company, a software development firm, a speaker bureau, a project management portal called ProjectTimes.com and a project management event series called ProjectTalks.

Most recently, David has launched a project management video web site called ProjectBites.com.

Connect with David on LinkedIn.

ABOUT PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE HOURS SERIES

Project Management Office Hours is intended to provide Project Management professionals a place to drop in and discuss Success Stories, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned. Project Management Consultant Joy Gumz has shared with us, “Operations keep the lights on, strategy provides the light at the end of the tunnel, but project management is the train engine that moves the organization forward.”

Each of us has a unique story to tell, but collectively we share a message that organizations who embrace Project Management Best Practices perform better than those which don’t. Organizations which align Projects to Strategy perform better. Organizations with Engage Executive Sponsors deliver better results. Organizations which measure Project Management performance outperform those which don’t.

During our Project Management Office Hours, we hear directly from Industry leaders how to make an impact in our profession. How we, collectively, will Advance Project Management Best Practices, One Listener at a time!

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Joe Pusz started THE PMO SQUAD to bring real world PMO Leadership experience to the consulting space and to advocate for Project Management through his blog PMOJOE.com. The old saying is “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Following this mindset Joe left Corporate America in 2013 to start THE PMO SQUAD and work with fellow Natural Born Project Managers to advance Project Management Best Practices.

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

THE PMO SQUAD focuses exclusively on PMO and Project Management consulting. Corporate America is full of Accidental Project Managers running projects who haven’t been trained to be PMs. To help solve this problem THE PMO SQUAD is on the Leading Edge with PMO As a Service. PMO As a Service allows our clients to focus on their respective core competencies while THE PMO SQUAD delivers Project Management expertise. Contact Joe at 678-591-7868. Follow The PMO Squad on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Where do PMO Leaders go for Information, Learning, Networking and Services? The PMO Leader community has “Everything You Need to Become a Great PMO Leader”. One PMO World, One Community! Learn more about The PMO Leader – www.thepmoleader.com

Jonathan Kierman with Super Star Car Wash E22

May 10, 2021 by Karen

Jonathan-Kierman-with-Super-Star-Car-Wash-Feature

Phoenix Business Radio

Jonathan Kierman with Super Star Car Wash E22

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Jonathan Kierman with Super Star Car Wash E22

Super Star Car Wash is a locally-owned business headquartered in Phoenix. Locations span across the Southwest and West Coast in Arizona and California. Services offered include single washes and unlimited monthly plans for express washes, while full-service locations offer fluid changes and quick lube services, full-service washes and detailing.

Started in 1993 with 2 locations in the Phoenix area, Super Star Car Wash has grown to be one of the largest conveyor belt car wash companies in the United States. While Super Star has grown, they have never lost sight of the communities in which their locations reside and play an active role in each of those communities in a variety of ways.

With multiple locations coming in 2021 and 2022-Super Star Car Wash can provide for your individual, family and corporate car wash needs! Super Star Car Wash does Unlimited Right!

Jonathan Kierman is a veteran sales, marketing and operations executive with over 25 years in multi-unit, store operations and marketing experience. A Native New Yorker, who relocated to Arizona while in high school, began his career after graduating from Arizona State University in Macy’s executive training program.

Jonathan has worked for multiple national retail brands holding various leadership roles at Famous Footwear, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Catherine’s Plus Sizes, Vera Bradley and Jockey International. Jonathan’s career has taken him all over the country but always wanted to return to the Phoenix area and when the opportunity to join Super Star Car Wash to lead the Sales and Marketing teams arose, Jonathan and his family jumped at the opportunity.

Jonathan’s first job in high school was in a car wash and is thrilled to be back in the car wash industry. An avid runner who aspires to run all 6 World Marathon majors, resides in Phoenix with his wife and family.

Follow Super Star Car Wash on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About Arizona Good Business

What is good business? What are local businesses doing to build a better Arizona?

Join Arizona Good Business to hear from local companies who are:

Centering purpose at the forefront of business
Creating social well-being for the community
Prioritizing sustainability and positive environmental practices
Growing strong company cultures through building authentic teams
Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion are involved in all business decisions

Arizona Good Business features local business leaders that are redefining what it means to do good business.

About Your Host

Thomas Barr is the Executive Director for Local First Arizona, the largest coalition of local businesses in North America. He advocates for a strong local business community that contributes to building vibrancy, equity, and prosperity across the state. A proud Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Thomas leads the business coalition of Local First Arizona by advocating for the economic and cultural benefits provided by building strong local economies.

Thomas steers the strategic direction of LFA’s major programs and initiatives as well as the engagement of over 3000 businesses across Arizona. As Executive Director, Thomas guides a team of statewide senior directors overseeing the execution of LFA’s communication strategy, major initiatives and key partnerships, as well as the collaboration of over 30 staff implementing work in entrepreneurship programs, small business advocacy, local food initiatives, sustainability, urban development and community building. He frequently speaks to groups locally and nationally, presenting the impact of Local First Arizona and the importance of local economy work in building prosperity.

Outside of Local First Arizona, Thomas has participated in volunteering his time to many causes and organizations throughout the Valley including Young Nonprofit Professionals – Phoenix, Equality Arizona, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Heritage Square Foundation and Phoenix Legal Action Network. Additionally, Thomas is a 2018 Phoenix Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, alumni of Arizona Leading for Change, and current participant in Valley Leadership Institute’s 40th cohort.

Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Local First AZ

Local First Arizona is a nonprofit organization that celebrates independent, locally owned businesses. We support, promote and advocate for a strong local business community and raise public awareness of the economic and cultural benefits provided by strong local economies. Local businesses contribute to a sustainable economy for Arizona and build vibrant communities we’re all proud to call home.

Honoring the Granite Mountain Hotshots E7

May 10, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Honoring the Granite Mountain Hotshots E7

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Honoring the Granite Mountain Hotshots E7

The 19 Hotshot firefighters who perished in 2013 fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire shared a special bond. Three of their members were part of another brotherhood. Jesse Steed, Travis Turbyfill and William Warneke were all U.S. Marine veterans.

In this podcast, learn about the Prescott tribute and learning center that honors the Hotshots and efforts by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation to establish scholarships in the name of the three Marines who were part of the crew.

Mardi Read and Dennis Bueschel both have special connections to the Hotshots and serve on the board of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center based in Prescott. In this podcast they discuss the contributions of the Hotshots, the crew’s deep connection to Prescott and the center which honors them.

After the loss of 19 hotshots in the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013, the Prescott Arizona Fire Department has held in trust all items the community left at Station 7, mourning the loss of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew.

Community members called for action on the items, and recognized the need for a place to commemorate the 19 fallen hotshots.

Over the ensuing months, a nonprofit group was born from this effort: The Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center.

The mission of the Center is operate a wildland fire learning center that honors the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew (GMIHC) by telling their story, displaying and housing artifacts/memorabilia left at the Station 7 fence, and educating visitors about wildland fire, firefighting, and prevention.

Mardi Read has served 20 years as a K-12 educator and administrator for Prescott Unified School District in Prescott, Arizona.

She serves on the GMIHC Learning and Tribute Center board because she is passionate about educating people about the Granite Mountain Hotshots and wildland fire prevention.

Dennis Bueschel is a retired firefighter with 33 years in the fire service. He has volunteered for three years with Prescott Fire Department doing fire inspections and fire risk assessments in the wildland interface, and he has watched over the Granite Mountain memorial items for the last 8 years.

He serves as a board member for the GMIHC Learning and Tribute Center to remember those that served and their mission, and to educate people on fire safety, fire prevention and defensible space.

Follow the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center on Facebook.

About MCSF

Today’s generation of Marines have made unprecedented sacrifices. And while there are many ways to honor our Nation’s heroes, there is no organization closer to the intersection of real need and lasting impact than the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF).

The Foundation provides need-based scholarships to the children of Marines, Navy Corpsmen and Navy Chaplains who have served in Marine units. Every qualified child receives a scholarship.

About Your Co-Hosts

Victoria Rosacci is the 2019-2021 Co-chair of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Arizona committee and 2021 Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 10th year Ball.

Victoria a tax attorney in private practice with her husband of 20 years, a US Marine Corps veteran.

Mike Phillips is a Marine Corps veteran and volunteer with the Foundation’s Arizona committee. He recently retired from a 40-year career in journalism and municipal communications.

Mike is a freelance writer and co-founder of the Arizona Baseball Legacy and Experience, an organization that celebrates the state’s rich baseball history.

Workforce Development: Cultivating Arizona’s Tech Talent Future E13

May 10, 2021 by Karen

Workforce-Development-Cultivating-Arizona’s-Tech-Talent-Future-FEATURE

AZ TechCast

Workforce Development: Cultivating Arizona’s Tech Talent Future E13

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Workforce Development: Cultivating Arizona’s Tech Talent Future E13

While technology and innovation bring new solutions to life, it can sometimes result in unforeseen challenges and opportunities. Although the IT and cybersecurity industry is the fastest-growing sector in the state, there are currently more than 7,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in Arizona alone. As a result of this exponential sector growth, many of Arizona’s IT and cyber companies are faced with a huge talent gap. For Arizona to fulfill its destiny as a world-class tech hub, it will need to prioritize an outcome-driven approach to meet industry and employer needs in IT and cybersecurity.

Moderated by Phoenix Business RadioX, a distinguished panel of tech leaders recently joined AZTechCast for an engaging discussion on scalable solutions and comprehensive resources to not only address Arizona’s tech-talent shortage, but to create a digital destination to explore career opportunities, internships, apprenticeships, training programs and scholarships to build the region’s talent pipeline and close the gap between students and industry.

Arizona’s tech industry is thriving! Unfortunately, the sector is challenged by a shortage of skilled IT and cybersecurity professionals. To maintain the state’s trajectory and economic recovery, a group of distinguished tech leaders shared insight on the specific jobs that are the most in-demand in Arizona’s tech sector, what outcome-driven approaches Arizona companies and key stakeholders are taking to address this tech-talent deficit, as well as the collaborative efforts that are helping to drive meaningful workforce development for Arizona’s IT/cyber sector.

The Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance, Inc. (ACTRA) serves as the hub for collaborative cyber information sharing in a neutral environment of trust where partners from industry, academia, law enforcement and intelligence come together, leveraging cross-sector resources to more effectively analyze critical, real-time intelligence and respond to emerging cyber threats to Arizona’s Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources. Visit https://www.actraaz.org to learn more.

Frank Grimmelmann serves as President & CEO for the Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance (ACTRA), a non-profit entity, that was developed collaboratively with the FBI’s Arizona InfraGard Program and independently launched in 2013 to enable its private/public sector members to enable themselves to respond to the escalating national cybersecurity threat.

Grimmelmann co-chairs Gov. Doug Ducey’s AZ Cybersecurity Team (ACT) and is a founding member of President Obama’s National ISAO Leadership Group at the University of Texas San Antonio.

As ACTRA’s leader, Grimmelmann was the first private-sector representative in the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center on its executive board. He has held C-level positions in finance, health care and government, focusing on cybersecurity in response to 9/11. He holds an MBA in finance/international business from UC Berkeley, and a BA in operations with a business law minor from the University of South Florida.

Pipeline AZ is a career development and exploration platform designed for the Arizona community, to create more pathways to in-demand careers by connecting the dots between industry and education.

Pipeline AZ uses skills mapping technology to help job seekers begin a new path, level-up in their existing careers, explore work or work-based learning opportunities, and discover new passions that change their career trajectory.

For employers, Pipeline AZ is a valuable recruiting tool that features high-quality candidate matching, free job posting, and white-glove concierge case management service to assemble candidate pools with the skills needed to build their talent pipeline. Learn more at PipelineAZ.com.

Katherine Pappas is an executive leader with 17+ years of experience designing workforce strategies, wellbeing focused environments, enhancing and transforming culture, innovating and streamlining relevant strategies and developing people.

Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn and follow PEI Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.

University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a private and family-owned university that merges the values of the traditional academy with the modern technology campus, a fusion that enhances its ability to fulfill the mission of educating students in the fields of advancing technology who innovate for the future.

At the heart of UAT’s curricula is a technology-infused campus in Tempe, Arizona. This fusion of the traditional academy with the technology-focused curricula creates a distinct, non-exclusionary university in which students learn to value their own uniqueness and the power of technology in education. Visit https://www.uat.edu to learn more.

Provost Bolman has focused his career upon the profound need for a substantial and diverse workforce within Arizona and the nation.

As its long-standing provost, Dr. Bolman has built the University of Advancing Technology (UAT) into a unique, all-STEM institution that marries the best of a traditional, small, private college with the genetics of innovation that come with agile technology organizations.

As an educator, he has focused on cultivating a base of technology students and future inventors. As a technologist, he has worked to create a university where the culture of innovation and creation is so regular and celebrated that the goal for each student is to graduate having worked on numerous teams and built complete solutions again and again.

Dr. Bolman has researched, written and spoken on the nature of technology and how to successfully lead innovation. He is an alumni of Valley Leadership and currently serves as its past board chair. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Technology Council and the AZPBS community board.

Follow UAT on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About AZ TechCast

AZ TechCast is dedicated to covering innovation and technology in Arizona and beyond.

Through the art of connected conversation, AZ TechCast’s guests will share their expertise, success stories, news and analysis about the region’s leading startups, companies and emerging technologies, as well as the latest industry trends and critical issues propelling the state’s growing technology ecosystem.

About Your Hosts

Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.

Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.

Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.

Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.

Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.

In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.

Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.

About Our Sponsor

The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.

A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.

Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Avontage Welcomes Ashley Bright to Discuss Powerful Messaging Strategies for Entrepreneurs and Startups E5

May 6, 2021 by Karen

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Phoenix Business Radio

Avontage Welcomes Ashley Bright to Discuss Powerful Messaging Strategies for Entrepreneurs and Startups E5

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Avontage Welcomes Ashley Bright to Discuss Powerful Messaging Strategies for Entrepreneurs and Startups E5

In Episode 5 Sean and Mark welcome Ashley Bright, the founder of The Message Fixer. After years of working for AT&T, Microsoft, and Target Ashley works with entrepreneurs to tie in powerful messaging strategies. He discusses his IMPACT speaking method that highlights the keys to consistency and differentiation. The conversation evolves into a larger discussion on making a bigger impact on the globe. Ashley shares his latest mission to take his skills and insights and what he offers to make a positive impact on the world by working with those in tech.

If you struggle with your messaging, you’ll want to hear Ashley break down the IMPACT speaking method. He discusses the key elements that you will want to apply to be consistent and differentiated. You’ll also have a chance to hear about the latest updates Avontage users can expect and learn about the new journey in life Mark is embarking on.

Whether in-person or remote Ashley Bright’s IMPACT Speaking Method will help you conquer your fears, avoid costly mistakes and get the money you need to succeed.

Ashley Bright spent 20 years pitching ideas to Fortune 500 companies like AT&T, Microsoft and Target. What he’s learned is that without irresistible messaging, great ideas, products and services die. He fundamentally believes your message determines your results.

Ashley will teach you how to conquer your fears, avoid costly mistakes and get the money you need to succeed.

Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About Cultivating Collaboration on Avontage

Sean Sarram, CEO and Founder Avontage is the host of this interview-style live radio/podcast show to highlight the members of the Avontage community. His co-host, Mark Jamnik, is Owner and Time Creation Coach at Enjoy Life Daily.

On this podcast we learn about the skills and services offered on our platform and how our members collaborate to grow their businesses; hence the name “Cultivating Collaboration on Avontage”.

About Avontage

Avontage is the future of work. We are a like-minded community of experts, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, and highly skilled freelancers solving each other’s pain points. We do that by trading skills and services on a trusted and safe platform.

Business barter trading is on the rise and it is the smartest way to achieve scalable growth during these challenging times.

About Your Hosts

Sean Sarram, the CEO and Founder of Avontage, is a seasoned executive with an entrepreneurial mindset. With a software engineering degree in Computer Science from Arizona State University, Sean enjoys building technology to solve hard problems that affect everyday life.

His mission is to build a trusted community marketplace for local business owners, marketers, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and creatives to collaborate, gain high quality clients, and help them grow your businesses without spending money.

Sean believes in Collaborative Capitalism, where small businesses collaborate and trading-exchange their skills and services to elevate one another.

Connect with Sean on LinkedIn, and follow Avontage on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Mark Jamnik lives and breathes productivity & coaching. After a decade in advertising sales, he was recruited by the Tony Robbins’ organization, to be 1 of 100 active global coaches. He coached over 300 CEO’s, entrepreneurs, & sales professionals, maximizing their effectiveness in achieving their goals.

Over the last decade he focused on his own entrepreneurial journey creating a healthy relationship with time. Now he consults CEOs and entrepreneurs with time creation and organization strategies to maximize productivity stress-free.

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn and Facebook.

The Future of IT Security with Peter Adams and Arvind Hariharan E31

May 4, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

The Future of IT Security with Peter Adams and Arvind Hariharan E31

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The Future of IT Security with Peter Adams and Arvind Hariharan E31

On this episode of the The Future of Work: Water Cooler Conversations we interview IT and Security experts, Peter Adams of Sol Minion development and Arvind Hariharan of CMIT Solutions of Tempe/North Chandler. Peter and Arvind explain why it is so important for every business owner to have a cyber security plan in place.

We learn about both Peter and Arvind’s background and what got them interested in technology. We also get to hear fascinating stories of the very real threats that are out there and what we can do to protect our self. If you are a business owner who is looking for ways to create better processes around IT security, Peter and Arvind offer some solid tips and ideas on how to get started.

Sol Minion Development is a Tempe-based technical consulting and software development firm providing peace of mind to small business owners with security-focused software development services.

Peter Adams is a security-focused software engineer with over 22 years of professional software development experience.

He founded Sol Minion Development in 2012 to provide security-focused software development services for small businesses looking to create a competitive edge and increase their business productivity with automation technology.

Follow Sol Minion Development on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

CMIT Solutions of Tempe & North Chandler provides proactive, responsive managed IT services to keep small business networks and computers running efficiently.

Arvind Hariharan has over 17 years of experience in the technology industry.

He understands the importance of technology in business today and recognizes how challenging it can be for small business owners to navigate their technology needs.

He aspires to be a trustworthy technology partner that brings clarity and transparency and helps propel his clients’ business to achieve their wildest dreams.

Follow CMIT Solutions on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT THE FUTURE OF WORK: WATER COOLER CONVERSATIONS

Welcome to Future of Work: Water Cooler Conversations Radio Show and Podcast – where business leaders share how they integrate humanity and technology through innovative approaches, healthy culture, flexible workspaces and seamless virtual technology.

ABOUT YOUR CO-HOSTS

With a background in marketing, in various for profit and not for profit companies, Kyle McIntosh wondered, “How can I pair the passion and commitment to community progress of a non-profit with the sustainability and reach of a for profit company?” From this question and perspective a mission evolved to tear down the false distinction between the two sectors and to promote companies with Conscious Capitalism® business models through MAC6.

Kyle is the President and Creative Excitant of MAC6. Day to day, his main operational role is on the “spaces” side of the business, focusing on creating thriving communities in the commercial office buildings, the co-working space, and the co-manufacturing space. The other role that he plays is that of EOS implementer, working with clients to bring the Entrepreneurial Operating System, from the book Traction® to their businesses. Additionally, he sits on the boards of Conscious Capitalism Arizona, telling the stories of good businesses in Arizona, and The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, sustaining Tempe’s quality of life and keeping our community and economy vibrant.

Kyle loves Arizona and wants to see us all collectively find great success based on the awesome things that are happening here every day.

Follow MAC6 on Facebook and Twitter.

Jennifer Burwell, joined MAC6 in 2013. Jennifer is their VP and Director of Programs.

She uses her experience in real estate, team development and management to seamlessly integrate each of the MAC6 business units to assure they are all focused on the long-term company vision. She is also a student of human behavior.

As a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, she uses her knowledge to facilitate culture-focused leadership programs with organizations of all sizes to integrate the company’s values and create higher-performing teams.

To learn more about MAC6 Communities, call 480-293-4075 or find them on Facebook

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

MAC⁶ offers flexible spaces and programs to help your team grow, and a community of thriving businesses, just like yours. Advocating Capitalism as a Force for Good, MAC6 is Accelerating the shift to Conscious Capitalism (where Purpose and Profit Unite) through Creativity, Collaboration, Community and Change.