Growing a Green Business in Arizona E39
In this episode of the Arizona Good Business Podcast, host Thomas Barr, Vice President of Business Development at Local First Arizona, welcomes two distinguished guests, John Mittman, CEO of Obodo Energy Partners, and Kyler Colin, Operations Director at Phoenix Water Solutions.
John Mittman, with a background in mechanical engineering and experience in the solar industry, founded Obodo Energy Partners to focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The company aims to assist businesses in saving money and reducing their environmental impact. Mittman emphasizes a holistic approach, offering a master planning strategy to evaluate a business’s goals and tailor solutions, leveraging their expertise as a general contractor to execute projects efficiently.
Kyler Colin, the sole owner of Phoenix Water Solutions, discusses the company’s mission to address water scarcity through technology and infrastructure. Specializing in water conservation, Phoenix Water Solutions collaborates with businesses, providing insights on reducing water waste, locating leaks, and enhancing overall efficiency. Kyler highlights the importance of individual metering and implementing tailored solutions to empower businesses in managing their water usage.
Both guests share their experiences working with small businesses and emphasize the need for a strategic and tailored approach to sustainability initiatives. The episode sheds light on the challenges and opportunities businesses face in navigating the complexities of energy and water conservation, offering valuable insights for those seeking to make a positive impact in their communities.
Both Kyler and John are partner for Local First’s Green Business Certification and Green Business Bootcamp, empowering entrepreneurs and local businesses through training and resources to amplify their sustainability efforts. If your business would like to learn more and get involved, please reach out at localfirstaz.com/environmental-action
Phoenix Water Solutions is a forward-thinking enterprise dedicated to implementing innovative technologies and infrastructure enhancements aimed at aiding their clientele—mainly municipalities, multifamily units, and individual consumers—in significantly reducing water usage and achieving cost savings. They specialize in offering solutions that are not only technologically advanced but are also designed to integrate seamlessly into existing systems, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency for their customers.
At the heart of their operation, Phoenix Water Solutions is driven by values emphasizing integrity, respect, and continuous improvement. They stand firm in their commitment to keeping promises, valuing and soliciting feedback for growth, and maintaining clear priorities to guide their actions. Their approach is characterized by a ceaseless curiosity and an ambition to expand their vision, while fostering a culture of ownership among their team members.
Phoenix Water Solutions promises to deliver services supported by thorough data analysis, ensuring that its clients understand the return on investment and the solutions’ impact. Recognizing the importance of accessible financing, they ease the payment process through creative funding solutions, including knowledge of grants and subsidies. With a focus on building and maintaining long-term relationships, they prioritize client needs, advocating for water conservation and cost-effective practices. Their turnkey solutions stand as a testament to their commitment to a smooth and effortless integration process for their clients.
Kyler Colin is a dedicated water conservation advocate and Arizona native passionate about creating efficient and productive systems.
An alumnus of Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, he has honed a keen sense for business acumen, coupled with a commitment to sustainability and resource management, and recently was listed as ASU’s Sun Devil 100 winner for being the fastest-growing ASU led business of its size. With six years in the water conservation field, He has witnessed and contributed to the industry’s significant evolution.
His career is marked by a drive to provide value to communities through innovative water solutions and a relentless pursuit of sustainable practices. As a founder of Phoenix Water Solutions, he has steered the company to prioritize impactful technologies and infrastructures that enable customers, municipalities, and multifamily properties to reduce water usage and save costs effectively.
Beyond leading the company, Kyler is deeply immersed in Arizona’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and maintains active involvement in various national and rural water associations. This involvement ensures he is at the forefront of water conservation efforts, continually integrating the latest insights and advancements into their work.
Follow Phoenix Water Solutions on LinkedIn and Facebook.
In the bustling landscape of business mergers and shareholder demands, one company stands out as a beacon of customer-centric values and innovation – Obodo Energy Partners. Founded by a visionary former executive of a national energy services company, Obodo Energy Partners was established with a singular mission: to create unparalleled value for Arizona’s communities using modern renewable energy and efficiency solutions.
At the helm of Obodo Energy Partners is a seasoned entrepreneur who possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of the corporate energy services world and the qualities required to deliver the utmost value in each project. Driven by a desire to create meaningful change, this visionary leader embarked on a mission to dismantle the traditional barriers associated with the “big” corporate providers that often prevent customers from enjoying the full benefits of a sustainability project. Fueled by years of industry experience and a passion for financial fairness, Obodo Energy Partners was born.
Obodo Energy Partners differentiates itself through its unwavering commitment to prioritizing customers and their communities above all else. This means more value, better services, and increased savings for every customer who chooses Obodo Energy Partners. Beyond its commitment to customers, Obodo Energy Partners is deeply dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves. The company actively invests in initiatives that promote inclusion, servant leadership, and sustainable development. By fostering community growth at the grassroots level, Obodo Energy Partners aims to create a positive ripple effect, transforming lives and nurturing vibrant, thriving communities.
In a world where financial transparency and customer-centricity are paramount, Obodo Energy Partners stands as a beacon of hope and progress. As the company continues to innovate, collaborate, and empower, it invites businesses and individuals to join the Obodo revolution. Together, we can redefine success, champion fairness, and create a future where everyone shares in the prosperity of a truly empowered and sustainable world.
Obodo Energy Partners: Spark Community.
John Mitman is an established professional in the energy services and solar industry focused on improving Arizona’s communities.
John is the founder Obodo Energy Partners, a commercial energy services and solar provider headquartered in Phoenix, as well as current governing board president for the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA).
John is also a proud member of Phoenix Rotary 100 and serves on Best Buddies Arizona’s advisory board.
While John is formally educated in engineering disciplines, he was mentored by a project finance expert, is licensed as a commercial builder, relishes the value of legal drafting, and embraces the fundamental tenets of people-first business leadership – this combination of experiences has allowed John to create value in many circumstances for his partners, colleagues, and customers.
Follow Obodo Energy Partners on LinkedIn.
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.
