Tucson Metro Chamber
465 W. St. Mary’s Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-792-1212
A native Tucsonan, Michael Guymon’s twenty-one-year professional career has primarily centered on political strategy, business development and advocacy, and organizational management. As Vice President for the Tucson Metro Chamber, Michael is responsible for developing and implementing the Chamber’s local public policy and workforce development/attraction programs and initiatives.
Michael’s previous positions include: Vice President of Regional Partnerships for Sun Corridor Inc.; Executive Director of Metropolitan Pima Alliance; Chief-of-Staff to Tucson City Council Member Fred Ronstadt; Asst. Vice President for Governmental Affairs for the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; and political consultant to The Bridges, a 360-acre mixed-use, infill development that will include Tech Parks Arizona, GEICO’s regional headquarters, housing, and an 111-acre commercial development.
Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona.
Connect with Michael on LinkedIn
AGM Container Controls
3526 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
Howard Stewart is President/CEO of AGM Container Controls (AGM), a Tucson manufacturing company with 115 employees. AGM manufactures environmental control hardware for missiles and other sensitive equipment. AGM also manufactures world’s premier vertical wheelchair lift, which provides access to elevation changes in public facilities and residences for individuals with disabilities.
Howard serves as the 2019 Co-Chair of the Heart and Stroke Ball, American Heart Association – Tucson Chapter, as well as on the board for the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce (2012-2020). He currently serves as a member of the President’s Council for San Miguel High School (2017-2018).
In addition, Howard continues to serve as the Tocqueville Society Chair (2015-2018) for the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA), and as a board member (2015-2018). In 2014/2015, Howard served as UWTSA’s Campaign Chair for Southern Arizona. In 2015/2016, he served as UWTSA’s Board Chair. AGM has run 21 consecutive UWSTA fund raising campaigns at the Gold award level. Since 1970, AGM has raised close to $2 million for the Greater Tucson community through UWTSA alone.
In 2017, Howard proposed a new initiative, “FlyTucsonFirst”. The initiative’s purpose is to get Tucsonans to understand the vital economic impact that will occur if we fly in and out of our own Tucson International Airport. In 2018, he helped launch this initiative at the Governor’s State of the State event, with the full support of the Tucson Metro Chamber.
In 2009, AGM was recognized as “America’s Small Business of the Year” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, Howard was recognized as Tucson’s Small Business Leader of the Year.
Connect with Mark on LinkedIn and Facebook.
University of Arizona
PO Box 210066
Administration Building, Room 601
Tucson, AZ 85721-0066
Stephen Fleming is a highly successful senior executive with leadership experience in startups, multinationals, private equity, and university-based economic development. Recognized as thought leader for innovation and entrepreneurship (including selection as one of the first Principal Investigators for the NSF I-Corps program). Most recently, led economic development and entrepreneurship initiatives at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Former general partner of $260 million early-stage venture capital firm; responsible for 18 investments, 16 board seats, and thirteen successful exits. Previously, led introduction of residential broadband products (ADSL and cable modems) at Nortel Networks. Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at LICOM (venture-funded startup). Started career as bench scientist at AT&T Bell Laboratories. Active angel investor, community leader, and mentor to local entrepreneurs.
Currently the Vice President of Strategic Business Initiatives for the University of Arizona. With activities ranging from convening senior corporate visits, to jointly developing proposals with industry, to ensuring that more UA graduates can find challenging jobs without leaving the state of Arizona, Stephen’s focus is to connect, coordinate, and communicate with units across campus to customize meaningful collaborative relationships with corporate partners.
Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About Your Host
Tucson Metro Chamber
465 W. St. Mary’s Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-792-1212
Amber Smith is the president and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber. In her role, she leads the Tucson Metro Chamber in implementing the goals and visions of the Chamber’s Board of Directors to champion an environment where business thrives and the Tucson community prospers. Focusing on growing business through workforce development, talent attraction, and public policy, the Tucson Metro Chamber is a strong community partner focused on making Tucson the ideal destination for business success. Amber’s goal is to lower the amount of poverty in Tucson by growing businesses.
A government relations professional by trade, Amber’s strength is building relationships between the public and private sector, while identifying ways to collaborate and partner to achieve mutually beneficial goals. Amber began her career working for Senator McCain where she became adept at retaining professionalism and decorum while navigating difficult and controversial policy matters.
Amber represented the real estate and land use industry on policy matters first as a lobbyist for homebuilders and developers and then for Metropolitan Pima Alliance (MPA). MPA’s foundation is creating balanced land use policies that stimulate economic development and reasonably preserves our natural environment. Amber has continued that philosophy of finding common ground through her work at the Tucson Metro Chamber.
A Texas native, Amber moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona and graduated with a degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration from Eller College. Married to a second-generation Tucsonan, Amber’s husband Robert is a Tucson Fire Department Captain, who also owns a small business. Amber and Robert have three young sons, 11 goats, four dogs, three donkeys and some chickens and they enjoy the quiet life on their small ranch.
Connect with Amber on LinkedIn.
